Government Mandates CCTV Surveillance for Upcoming SSC Examinations

The directive was issued by the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) on Saturday, March 28, 2026, following a high-level meeting chaired by Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon on March 25.

Zero-Tolerance Policy Against Malpractice The new 11-point set of instructions aims to eliminate question leaks and administrative irregularities. Under these rules, exam centers must ensure that all CCTV cameras are fully operational before the exams begin on April 21, 2026. Centers are also required to preserve the recorded video footage for potential review by education boards. The Education Minister, known for his "zero-tolerance" stance on academic fraud, emphasized that these measures are essential to protecting the merit of hardworking students.

Stricter Conduct and Infrastructure Rules Beyond digital surveillance, the DSHE has introduced several physical security protocols:

• Mandatory Body Searches: All candidates must undergo a thorough body search before entering the examination center to prevent the smuggling of electronic devices or printed materials.

• Mobile Phone Ban: Strict prohibitions remain on mobile phone use inside the centers; only the Center Secretary is permitted to carry a basic mobile phone without a camera for emergency coordination.

• Standardized Timekeeping: Every exam hall must be equipped with a wall clock to ensure uniform time management for all candidates.

• Unified Question Papers: For the first time, a common question paper will be used across all education boards for certain subjects to ensure nationwide parity.

Administrative Accountability The Ministry has warned that any negligence in implementing these directives will result in severe legal and departmental action against center secretaries and institution heads. To further streamline oversight, the government has already abolished nearly 300 "venue centers" (subsidiary sites) that were deemed high-risk for local influence and cheating.

The 2026 SSC examinations are scheduled to run from April 21 to May 20, with more than 2 million students expected to participate under these tightened security measures.