Afghanistan’s General Directorate of Examinations on Monday announced the results of the 2026 Kankor (national university entrance) examination during a ceremony held at the Government Media and Information Center (GMIC).

According to the results, Rashid, son of Pahlawan, from Parwan province, secured first place after scoring a perfect 360 marks.

Enamullah, son of Shir Zaman, from Kunar province, ranked second with 358.0937 marks, while Abdul Hadi, son of Abdul Rahman, from Paktia province, claimed third place with 356.96791 marks.

Mohammad Ayman, son of Mohammad Bashir, from Maidan Wardak province, ranked fourth with 356.96790 marks, followed by Bismillah Jan, son of Mohammad Omar, also from Maidan Wardak, who secured fifth place with 356.8579 marks.

Among graduates of religious schools, Abdul Majid from Ghor province ranked first with 327.19 marks, Khalid from Badakhshan province placed second with 320 marks, and Hamed from Laghman province ranked third with 319 marks.

The General Directorate of Examinations said the 2026 Kankor was successfully conducted in four phases, with nearly 120,000 applicants participating nationwide. In line with the Ministry of Higher Education’s admission plan, 74,500 candidates will be admitted to public universities and higher education institutions across the country.

The directorate stated that the examination process was organized to ensure equal opportunities for all eligible candidates throughout Afghanistan. The first phase covered applicants from 15 provinces, the second phase included candidates from 18 provinces, the third phase was held for Grade 12 graduates in Kabul, while the fourth phase included candidates who missed previous rounds, graduates from abroad, graduates from tribal communities, religious school graduates in Kabul, and Grade 14 graduates.

Officials said all four phases were conducted in an organized manner with transparency, effective management, and without any reported problems. They added that the process was managed according to established standards, helping strengthen public confidence in the examination system.

The General Directorate of Examinations said the 2026 Kankor, one of the country’s most important academic examinations, was successfully held based on the principles of transparency, fair assessment, and effective management. With the announcement of the results, tens of thousands of young Afghans will now have the opportunity to continue their higher education in various academic fields.

During the ceremony, officials from various government institutions also praised the General Directorate of Examinations for effectively managing the process, congratulated the successful candidates, and urged them to make the best use of the opportunity to advance their education and serve the people and the country.

A new World Bank report says transforming food and agriculture systems could significantly improve food security, create jobs, and strengthen economic resilience in Afghanistan, which continues to face rising pressure from climate change and water shortages.

The report titled “Building Food Security, Creating Jobs” highlights Afghanistan as one of several countries facing growing food insecurity driven by environmental stress, conflict, and economic challenges.

According to the report, the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan region (MENAAP) faces mounting pressures from climate change, water scarcity, conflict, and rising malnutrition. Today, one in six people across the region lacks reliable access to food, while 42 percent cannot afford a healthy diet. Demand for food is projected to increase by 67 percent by 2050.

The World Bank warns that food insecurity in the region is being intensified by climate change, water scarcity, and conflict, all of which are placing heavy pressure on agricultural production systems.

The report emphasizes that improving food security is not only about increasing farm output, but about modernizing the entire farm-to-table system. This includes strengthening supply chains, reducing food loss, improving storage and logistics, and investing in climate-smart agriculture.

It also highlights that agrifood systems already play a major economic role, supporting tens of millions of jobs across the region, including in farming, transport, processing, and food services.

For Afghanistan, the report suggests that reforms in agriculture and food systems could help reduce poverty, improve nutrition, and create employment opportunities, particularly for young people and rural communities.

Kandahar Governor Mullah Mohammad Shirin Akhund has called on Turkey to expand its support for healthcare, agriculture and development projects in Afghanistan, particularly in Kandahar, during a meeting with Turkey’s ambassador to Afghanistan.

According to a statement from the Kandahar governor’s office, Sadin Ayyıldız, Chargé d’Affaires of the Turkish Embassy in Kabul, and his delegation met with Akhund during an official visit to the province on Saturday.

The governor thanked Turkey for its longstanding support for Afghanistan and described the country as a close friend with shared religious, cultural and historical ties. He expressed hope for stronger bilateral relations and broader cooperation between the two countries.

Akhund requested that Turkey increase its assistance by building clinics in districts and remote areas, supplying medicines and medical equipment, and helping equip Mirwais Regional Hospital and the Aino Mina 350-bed Hospital.

He also called for training programs for Afghan doctors and other healthcare workers, greater cooperation in agriculture and livestock through the sharing of Turkish expertise, faster visa processing for Afghan patients and businesspeople, and support for schools, religious schools, clinics and clean water supply networks in settlements for newly returned Afghan refugees.

The governor said these sectors represent some of Kandahar’s most pressing needs.

The statement added that Ayyıldız praised Afghanistan’s security situation, reconstruction efforts and other developments, saying Turkey has long sought to stand alongside the Afghan people and support them in areas of need. He also expressed hope for Afghanistan’s continued development.