The bench of Justice FRM Nazmul Ahasan and Justice KM Kamrul Kader issued the rule after hearing a petition.
Supreme Court lawyer Sardar Zakir Hossain filed the writ petition arguing that holding public exams hampers educational activities of many institutions.
Eight people, including secretaries to the education and public works ministries and Controller of Examination of the National University, were made respondents to the rule, which is returnable in four weeks.
Assistant Attorney General Mohamamd Saiful Islam represented the state in the hearing.
Zakir pointed out that Primary Education Completion, Junior School Certificate, Secondary School Certificate, Higher Secondary Certificate and degree and other public examinations were held in different district and upazila headquarters after suspending academic and educational activities.