24,784 candidates absent, 7 expelled on the first day of HSC exams

On the first day of the nationwide HSC and equivalent examinations for 2026, a total of 24,784 candidates were absent. Additionally, 7 candidates were expelled on the same day for adopting unfair means.

Professor Syed Akteruzzaman, Chairman of the Dhaka Education Board and President of the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee, shared this information on Thursday (July 2).

According to data from the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee, out of 856,097 registered candidates under the 9 general education boards, 838,864 candidates participated in the Bangla (Compulsory) First Paper exam. A total of 17,233 candidates were absent, which accounts for 2.01% of the total examinees.

The number of absent candidates across the respective boards includes 3,971 in Dhaka Board, 2,467 in Rajshahi Board, 1,795 in Comilla Board, 2,078 in Jessore Board, 1,340 in Chattogram Board, 1,127 in Sylhet Board, 1,346 in Barisal Board, 1,937 in Dinajpur Board, and 1,182 in Mymensingh Board.

A total of 5 candidates were expelled from the general education boards for using unfair means. Among them, 1 was from Cumilla Board, 2 from Jashore Board, 1 from Dinajpur Board, and 1 from Mymensingh Board. No invigilators were expelled.

On the other hand, 80,653 candidates participated in the Quran Majid exam under the Madrasah Education Board. Under this board, 4,478 candidates were absent and 1 candidate was expelled. Under the Technical Education Board, 80,603 candidates took part in the Bangla-II exam, where 3,073 candidates were absent and 1 candidate was expelled for resorting to unfair practices.

The notification further informed that examinations were also held in 8 centers outside the country under the supervision of the Dhaka Education Board. According to the report of the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee, the overall environment on the first day of the exams was satisfactory. This year, the HSC and equivalent examinations are being conducted across the country at 1,620 centers under the general education boards, 460 centers under the Madrasah Education Board, and 611 centers under the Technical Education Board.