At Rajshahi University, 82 candidates compete for each admission seat.

The fierce competition for admission to Rajshahi University has officially commenced, with thousands of eager students vying for a limited number of seats in the 2025–26 academic session. Today, Friday, 16 January, the first-year honours undergraduate admission test for the ‘C’ Unit (Science) first shift began at 11:00 a.m., followed by the second shift from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For the second consecutive year, the examinations are being conducted not only on the main Rajshahi campus but simultaneously across five regional centres: Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Rangpur, and Barisal.

According to university authorities, a total of 126,225 candidates are competing for 1,536 seats in the C Unit this year, translating to an average of 82 candidates per seat. The C Unit encompasses 26 departments within the faculties of Science, Agriculture, Engineering, Biosciences, and Geosciences. The examination is structured as a one-hour multiple-choice test carrying 100 marks, with 80 questions in total. For every four incorrect answers, one mark will be deducted.

Observations from the centres revealed that candidates and their guardians began arriving as early as 9:30 a.m., with gates opening at 10:15 a.m. Students were strictly prohibited from bringing mobile phones, calculators, or any electronic devices capable of storing data. The tests are being held across various academic buildings on the campus.

Professor Mahbubur Rahman, Proctor of Rajshahi University, assured that the examinations began in a highly organised and disciplined environment. Security measures have been strengthened, with law enforcement and the proctorial body maintaining a vigilant presence throughout the campus. Mobile courts and intelligence agencies are on standby to prevent any untoward incidents. Additionally, BNCC and Rover Scout members have been deployed at all key points to ensure smooth access for students.

By 11:30 a.m., Vice-Chancellor Saleh Hasan Nakeeb spoke to reporters outside the Jagadish Chandra Bose Academic Building, noting that examinations across the regional centres had begun on schedule and that no major issues had been reported. He expressed optimism that, with everyone’s cooperation, the admission tests would proceed without disruption.

In total, this year’s undergraduate admission tests across all three units cover 4,017 seats and attract 272,626 applicants:

The examination schedule continues with the C Unit tests in two shifts on 17 January, followed by the B Unit admission test in a single shift on 24 January.