2026 HSC Student Protests

The 2026 HSC Student Protests are an ongoing series of student demonstrations and civic disruptions across Bangladesh, primarily led by Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinees. The movement intensified in mid-July 2026 following student grievances regarding mass non-participation due to regional flooding, alleged discrepancies in examination question papers, and subsequent political friction involving the Ministry of Education. The active street blockades were temporarily suspended on 15 July 2026 after the government formally announced five major relief initiatives addressing the core demands.

2026 HSC Student Protests
Part of Student movements in Bangladesh
File:2026 HSC Student Protests.jpg HSC examinees demonstrating during the protests in Dhaka. (Photo: The Daily Star)
Date	13 July 2026 – present
Goals	Restructuring of the examination schedule; special considerations and retakes for flood-hit regions; evaluation updates; full marks for incorrect questions on the Physics exam.
Methods	Protest, sit-in, highway blockades, marches, press conferences, and demonstrations.
Status	Active; street blockades temporarily suspended following government concessions as of 15 July 2026.

Background

The 2026 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations commenced on 2 July 2026. Prior to the examinations, reports emerged indicating an unprecedented drop in examinee registration, with over 550,000 previously regular students failing to fill out examination forms, heavily attributed to economic challenges and severe seasonal flooding in the Chattogram and Sylhet regions.

Public dissatisfaction surged following the administration of the Physics First Paper examination, during which students reported major inconsistencies and errors. Tensions escalated significantly after controversial public statements were made by the newly appointed Education Minister, A. N. M. Ehsanul Hoque Milon, which students deemed dismissive of their academic hardships.

Timeline

Early July

Following the commencement of exams on July 2, localized student demonstrations began in flood-affected districts, with examinees demanding the postponement of schedules due to waterlogging and missing admit cards.

14 July

Mass escalations occurred across the capital city of Dhaka. Thousands of students blockaded major transport intersections, including the Science Lab intersection, Shahbagh, Uttara, and Mirpur. Delegations of students initiated a march toward the National Parliament Building on Manik Mia Avenue, chanting slogans demanding immediate systemic reforms and the resignation of the Education Minister. Outside Dhaka, students blockaded major national highways in Bogura and the Dhaka-Barishal highway.

15–16 July

Protesters marched from the Science Lab intersection toward the Education Building for a scheduled "Long March to the Education Ministry." A six-member student delegation entered the Secretariat to negotiate directly with ministry officials. Following the meeting, the representatives announced a temporary suspension of street blockades to allow students to sit for their remaining scheduled exams, warning that demonstrations would resume if the government's concessions were unfulfilled. On 16 July, student organizers held subsequent press conferences detailing their updated 6-point charter monitoring the implementation of government promises.

Demands

Following the negotiations on 15 July, the student representatives revised their demands into a unified 6-point charter, shifting focus away from their initial call for the minister's resignation to structural relief, including:

1. An opportunity for examinees affected by adverse weather and regional flooding to retake skipped examinations.
2. Evaluation adjustments ensuring the higher score between original and retaken exams is officially recognized.
3. Full marks automatically awarded to all candidates for the error-laden questions on the Physics First Paper exam.
4. Sufficient preparation intervals provided before any rescheduled examinations.
5. Punitive administrative action against the teachers responsible for the question paper errors.

Response

On 14 July 2026, Education Minister Ehsanul Hoque Milon addressed the Parliament after the Maghrib break, formally expressing regret over his previous personal remarks regarding the examinees, stating he did not intend to hurt anyone. He also announced that all examinees would be awarded full marks for the two flawed Physics questions.

On 15 July, Prime Minister's Adviser and PMO spokesperson Dr. Mahdi Amin announced five major student-friendly initiatives enacted by the government to de-escalate the crisis. These included: allowing flood-affected students nationwide to retake skipped tests under the upcoming rescheduled Chattogram Board timeframe, empowering local administrations to relocate test centers or extend examination hours dynamically during waterlogging, and serving show-cause notices alongside suspensions to the teachers responsible for the question paper mistakes.

On 16 July, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed addressed the media at the Secretariat, stating that the government was monitoring the remaining minor gatherings but warned that certain external vested groups were attempting to exploit the student demonstrations to embarrass the administration.

See also

• 2018 Bangladesh road-safety protests
• 2024 Bangladesh quota reform movement

References

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