The University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided to defer public university admission tests to accommodate re-evaluations and supplementary examinations for the Higher Secondary Certificate and equivalent exams.
 
Dhaka University, however, will stick to its previously announced schedule.
 
The university’s general admission committee made the decision at an emergency meeting on Monday afternoon, Pro Vice-Chancellor Mohammed Almujaddade Alfasane said.
 
"The admission tests will be held per our scheduled times," he said.
 
The university had finalised its admission schedule at a committee meeting on Aug 2. Online applications will open on Nov 11 and close on Nov 25, with entrance tests for the five units set to run from Dec 5 to Dec 26.
 
Admission test schedule:
 
● IBA Unit: Saturday, Dec 5
 
● Science Unit: Saturday, Dec 12
 
● Arts, Law and Social Sciences Unit: Saturday, Dec 19
 
● Fine Arts Unit (General Knowledge and Drawing): Tuesday, Dec 22
 
● Business Education Unit: Saturday, Dec 26
 
The UGC announced the broader change after a meeting with public university vice-chancellors on Monday to discuss the admission schedule for the 2026-27 academic year.
 
UGC Chairman Prof Mamun Ahmed said in a written statement that applications for public university admission tests would begin in January 2027, with the examinations planned for February.
 
“Based on the discussions in the meeting, a unanimous and coordinated decision has been taken to start the process of accepting applications for admission tests in public universities from January 2027.
 
“And a plan has been made to organise the admission tests from next February.”
 
The commission said the revised timetable would allow candidates who pass HSC re-evaluations or supplementary examinations to compete for university places.
 
The government is working to publish the results of the re-evaluations and supplementary examinations by Dec 31, Mamun said.
 
“The government is working with the aim of publishing the results of the revaluation and supplementary examinations on Dec 31. After that, the admission test process for public universities will begin.”
 
He added that candidates who pass either process would be eligible to sit the admission tests.
 
Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof ABM Obaidul Islam did not attend Monday’s UGC meeting. The university convened its own emergency admission committee meeting at 3pm, after the commission announced the revised plan, and decided to retain its original timetable.