A total of 273,554 students have applied to sit for the undergraduate first-year admission tests for the 2025–26 academic session under the GST cluster admission system, reflecting strong competition for public university seats.

The online application process concluded at midnight on December 30, officials said.

Professor Dr Manjurul Haque, registrar of Islamic University in Kushtia and secretary of the Central Committee of the GST admission tests, confirmed the figures on Saturday morning.

He said that among the total applicants, 159,189 students applied for A unit (Science), 90,408 for B unit (Humanities), and 23,957 for C unit (Business Studies).

The online application process began on December 10 and was initially scheduled to end on December 24.

Later, the deadline was extended by six days to facilitate more students, he said.

According to the published schedule, the C unit admission test will be held on March 27, followed by B unit on April 3 and A unit on April 10.

The GST cluster admission tests will be conducted for undergraduate first-year admission at Islamic University in Kushtia, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Jessore University of Science and Technology, Begum Rokeya University, Pabna University of Science and Technology, Gopalganj Science and Technology University, University of Barishal, Rangamati Science and Technology University, Rabindra University, University of Frontier Technology Bangladesh, Netrokona University, Jamalpur Science and Technology University, Kishoreganj University, Chandpur Science and Technology University, Sunamganj Science and Technology University, and Pirojpur Science and Technology University.