18.5 lakh candidates to appear in SSC, equivalent exams tomorrow
This year, about 18,51,423 students are going to appear in the examinations under 11 education boards.
The Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations will begin simultaneously across the country at 10am tomorrow (21 April).
This year, about 18,51,423 students are going to appear in the examinations under 11 education boards.
The education boards have completed all necessary preparations to conduct the examinations in a transparent and fair environment. In particular, a set of steps has been taken this year, including the installation of CCTV cameras, at each centre for the first time to ensure safety and transparency.
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On the first day of the examination, Bangla (Compulsory) - 1st Paper and Easy Bangla-1st Paper examinations will be held in 9 general education boards. The examinations for Quran Majeed and Tajweed under Madrasa Education Board and Bangla-2 paper under the Technical Education Board will be held.
Bangladesh Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee Chairman and Dhaka Education Board Chairman Professor Dr Khondokar Ehsanul Kabir told BSS that all preparations have already been completed to arrange the SSC and equivalent examinations beginning tomorrow.
This time, he said, CCTV cameras have been installed at each centre to ensure safety of the examinees and avoid any kind of unpleasant situation during the examinations.
Besides, he said, several other steps have been taken to ensure transparency and accountability in taking the examinations.
Official data shows that a total of 14,12, 476 examinees are participating under the 9 general education boards.
The highest number of 3,61,335 examinees will sit in for the examinations under Dhaka Education Board, while 177,709 candidates under Rajshahi board, 146,306 under Cumilla board, 135,589 under Jashore board, 130,579 under Chattogram board, 81,831 under Barishal, 89,190 under Sylhet board, 180,701 under Dinajpur board and 109,236 under Mymensingh board.
According to the official data, 304,286 candidates are participating in the Dakhil examinations under the Madrasa Education Board. Of them, 161,491 are boys and 142,795 are girls.
On the other hand, 134,660 candidates are participating under the Technical Education Board. Of them, 1,01,509 are male students and 33,151 are female students.
Candidates from 30,425 educational institutions are participating in this year's SSC and equivalent examinations in 3,902 centres across the country.
According to the official statistics, the total number of examinees has decreased slightly in 2026 compared to 2025. The total number of examinees in 2025 was 19,28,970, which stood at 18,51,423 in 2026. However, the number of educational institutions has increased from 30,045 last year to 30,425 this year.
Technical supervision and security:
Professor SM Kamal Uddin Haider, convener of the Inter-Education Board Examination Regulatory Committee, told BSS that this is the first time that CCTV cameras will be installed in the center, as well as digital tracking of question paper transporters.
"To reduce the suffering of students in the heat, the entrance of each centre will open at 8:30 am so that the candidates can take their seats. Besides, alternative arrangements like drinking water, IPS and generators have been made in the centre," he said.
He advised the candidates to leave their homes with sufficient time to avoid traffic jams.
The examinations will continue until May 20. The examinations will start at 10 am every day. The practical examination will be held from June 7 to 14. By June 18, the handwritten marksheets, practical answer sheets, ancillary documents and signatures will be arranged in order of roll number according to the department and submitted to the Secondary Examination Branch.
A set of instructions to the centre secretaries
Meanwhile, a set of instructions has been issued by the Office of the Controller of Examinations of the Dhaka Education Board to the centre secretaries to complete the examination smoothly.
According to the instructions, the examinations will start at 10 am. Examinees must enter the exam room 30 minutes before the start of the examinations. In special consideration, if any examinee is late, his information will be recorded in the register and allowed to enter the centre.
When opening the packet of question papers, the set code must be confirmed in the presence of the tag officer and police officer in charge. If the examination is conducted using a set other than the prescribed set code, departmental disciplinary action will be taken against the concerned.
No one other than the centre secretary will be allowed to carry mobile phones or electronic devices to the centre. The center secretary can only use basic mobile phones without camera functions.
The instructions have asked to take strict measures to prevent overcrowding of examinees or guardians outside the centres.
Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon said the incumbent government wants to conduct SSC and equivalent examinations in a fair and transparent environment.
The strict measures have been taken not against students, but for the teachers and center secretaries to perform their duties properly, he said.
He also said there will be no provision for 'silent expulsion' in any upcoming public examinations.
The education minister urged candidates to take part in the examinations without any fear.
