Dhaka, Jul 02 (V7N) — A total of 24,784 candidates were absent from the first-day examinations of the 2026 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations across Bangladesh, while seven candidates were expelled for engaging in examination malpractice.

The information was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by Professor Syed Akhtaruzzaman, President of the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee and Chairman of the Dhaka Education Board.

According to the statement, 856,097 candidates were registered for the Bangla (Compulsory) First Paper examination under the country's nine general education boards. Of them, 838,864 appeared for the examination, while 17,233 candidates were absent, representing 2.01 percent of the total.

The number of absent candidates by board was as follows:

  • Dhaka: 3,971

  • Rajshahi: 2,467

  • Cumilla: 1,795

  • Jashore: 2,078

  • Chattogram: 1,340

  • Sylhet: 1,127

  • Barishal: 1,346

  • Dinajpur: 1,937

  • Mymensingh: 1,182

Among the nine general education boards, five candidates were expelled for unfair means—one each in Cumilla, Dinajpur, and Mymensingh, and two in Jashore. No invigilators were expelled.

Under the Madrasa Education Board, 80,653 candidates appeared for the Quran Majid examination. A total of 4,478 candidates were absent, while one candidate was expelled for misconduct.

Under the Technical Education Board, 80,603 candidates participated in the Bangla-2 examination. The board recorded 3,073 absentees, and one candidate was expelled for malpractice.

The examinations were also held at eight overseas centres under the Dhaka Education Board.

This year's HSC and equivalent examinations are being conducted at 1,620 centres under the general education boards, 460 centres under the Madrasa Education Board, and 611 centres under the Technical Education Board.

END/SMA/AJ