The number of undergraduate seats at public universities under the General, Science and Technology (GST) admission cluster may increase in the 2026-27 academic year, with 4 additional universities potentially joining the system.
Currently, 20 universities under the cluster offer a total of 16,093 seats. If the 4 proposed universities are included, the total could rise to 16,643, adding up to 550 seats.
Updated information on undergraduate admission seats at public and private universities for the 2026-27 academic year was published on November 1. According to the data, the existing 20 GST universities have 16,093 seats.
However, the inclusion of the 4 additional universities has not yet been finalized and requires approval from the University Grants Commission (UGC).
University-wise seat distribution
According to the published data, the seat allocation across the 20 universities is as follows:
Islamic University has 2,515 seats; Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University 1,175; Begum Rokeya University 1,395; University of Barishal 1,570; Rabindra University 850; Netrokona University 390; and Kishoreganj University 126.
Among the science and technology universities, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University has 875 seats; Noakhali Science and Technology University 1,611; Jashore University of Science and Technology 1,030; Pabna University of Science and Technology 830; Gopalganj Science and Technology University 1,580; Rangamati Science and Technology University 190; and Jamalpur Science and Technology University 204.
Patuakhali Science and Technology University has 950 seats; Chandpur Science and Technology University 90; Bangladesh University of Frontier Technology 220; Sunamganj Science and Technology University 172; Pirojpur Science and Technology University 160; and Naogaon University 160.
The 4 universities being considered for inclusion are Bogura University, Thakurgaon University, Lakshmipur Science and Technology University and Meherpur University.
Meherpur University is expected to receive final approval for its Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) and English departments. If approved, the university may initially offer 80 to 100 seats.
Bogura University, Thakurgaon University and Lakshmipur Science and Technology University have yet to receive approval for their academic departments. Their seat numbers will be finalized after departmental approvals and the necessary decisions by the UGC.
Initially, each of these 3 universities may offer around 100 to 150 seats. Together, the 4 institutions could add an estimated 380 to 550 seats to the GST cluster.
About the GST admission system
The UGC decided to introduce the cluster-based admission system at public universities from the 2020-21 academic year to reduce the financial and logistical burden on students.
The system was designed to spare applicants the expense and inconvenience of sitting separate admission tests at multiple universities. Through a single coordinated admission test, students can compete for seats at several participating institutions.
Preparations are also underway to continue the system for the 2026-27 academic year. However, whether the 4 additional universities will join and how many seats they will offer will depend on departmental approvals and the UGC's final decisions.