Dhaka, July 2 -- The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations began simultaneously across the country on Thursday, with over 12.70 lakh candidates set to appear under 11 education boards.

HSC exams began at 10 am with Bangla 1st Paper on the first day.

Students from 9,439 educational institutions are expected ti sit for the examinations at 2,697 centres under the country's nine general education boards, the Bangladesh Madrasa Education Board and the Bangladesh Technical Education Board.

A total of 77 subjects will be covered over 21 examination days.

Secondary and Higher Education Division Secretary Abdul Khaleque briefed reporters about the exams at Secretariat on Wednesday.

Regular classes will continue at edu...