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DHAKA, July 4, 2026 (BSS) – A total of 27,327 candidates, consisting 2.28 percent of the total HSC candidates, were absent and 17 were expelled for adopting unfair means on the second day of Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)-2026 and equivalent examinations.

However, the exam concluded peacefully across the country.

Bangla (Compulsory) Second Paper examinations were held under the nine general education boards while the Madrasah Education Board conducted Arabic First Paper (General Group) and Arabic Literature (Science and Mujabbid Mahir Group) examinations.
 
The Technical Education Board took the English-II examination.

The three-hour tests began across the country at once at 10 am.

According to a report of the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee, 27,327 candidates were absent under the 11 education boards today.

A total of 17 candidates were expelled for adopting unfair means, while no invigilator was expelled. 

According to the statistics, under the nine general education boards, 841,125 candidates appeared for the examinations out of 860,764 registered candidates at 1,620 centres. A total of 19,639 candidates were absent, representing an absentee rate of 2.28 percent.

The report said seven candidates were expelled under the general education boards for adopting unfair means, including one under the Rajshahi Board, two under the Cumilla Board, two under the Barishal Board, one under the Dinajpur Board and one under the Mymensingh Board.

Among the general education boards, the Dhaka Board recorded the highest number of absentees at 4,456.

The number of absentees in the other general education boards were 2,846 under the Rajshahi Board, 1,956 under the Cumilla Board, 2,362 under the Jashore Board, 1,690 under the Chattogram Board, 1,276 under the Sylhet Board, 2,251 under the Dinajpur Board, and 1,335 under the Mymensingh Board.

Under the Madrasah Education Board, 79,091 candidates appeared for the examinations out of 84,293 registered candidates at 460 centres.

A total of 5,202 candidates were absent, accounting for 6.17 percent of the total examinees. 

The board recorded the highest number of expulsions on the second day, with seven candidates expelled for adopting unfair means.

Meanwhile, under the Technical Education Board, 83,263 candidates sat for the examinations out of 85,749 registered candidates at 611 centres. 

A total of 2,486 candidates were absent, representing an absentee rate of 2.90 percent and three candidates were expelled.

The Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee said a central CCTV Camera Monitoring Cell has been set up at the ministry this year to ensure transparent and malpractice-free examinations.

Through the facility, examination centres across the country are being monitored in real time. 

However, the overall examination environment was satisfactory, the report said.

To avoid unexpected traffic congestion, candidates are required to enter their respective centres by 8:30 am.

The written examinations will continue until August 8 while practical examinations are scheduled to be completed by August 15. 

The Education Ministry has confirmed that regular classes will continue at the respective educational institutions on days when no examinations are scheduled.