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“If anything happens, we will be able to immediately locate the source and take action,” he said.

On the first day, Bangla First Paper and Sahaj Bangla First Paper were held under the general education boards; Quran Majid and Tajvid under the Madrasah Education Board; and Bangla Second Paper under the Technical Education Board.

According to the Bangladesh Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee, 15,09,006 candidates were scheduled to sit for the exams at 3,875 centres under 11 education boards, but 14,83,598 appeared.

Under the nine general education boards, two examinees were expelled -- one each under the Dhaka and Dinajpur boards. Under the Madrasah Education Board, four examinees were expelled.

Under the Technical Education Board, no examinee was expelled, though one invigilator was removed.

According to the exam routine, written examinations will continue until May 20, while practical exams are scheduled from June 7 to June 14.

The minister also visited several centres, including Tetuljhora High School in Savar, Joymondop High School and Sahrail High School in Singair upazila of Manikganj, Mirpur Mofid-e-Am School and College in Aminbazar, and the Model Academy centre in Paikpara, Dhaka.

According to a ministry press release, he spoke with teachers and guardians and observed examination halls through CCTV from control rooms set up at the centres.

He said no suspicious activity was detected on platforms usually monitored during public examinations and urged journalists to remain vigilant, noting that media scrutiny could help deter malpractice.

Milon said he kept his inspection routes undisclosed to ensure the effectiveness of surprise visits. “If centres know in advance, the purpose of inspections is defeated.”

He also expressed satisfaction with the overall arrangements.

On CCTV monitoring, he said the systems were functioning properly at the centres he visited and that authorities had been instructed to preserve footage in case of complaints. He added that many guardians viewed CCTV coverage as a safeguard against wrongful allegations or expulsion.

Replying to a question, the minister said the government was not considering reinstating the Primary School Certificate and Junior School Certificate examinations. He added that the curriculum review is under direct supervision and will continue.