List of Presidents of Bangladesh: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Bangladesh from 1971 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Bangladesh, former presidents, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Bangladesh: Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir (in office since 2026).

Presidents of Bangladesh in order, with years in office

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

Served: 1971–1972

Founding leader and president of the Provisional Government during the 1971 Liberation War; held in Pakistani custody until January 1972.

Syed Nazrul Islam

Served: 1971–1972 (acting)

Acted as president of the Provisional Government in Mujibur Rahman's absence.

Abu Sayeed Chowdhury

Served: 1972–1973

First president after independence in a parliamentary system; he resigned in December 1973.

Mohammad Mohammadullah

Served: 1973–1975

Served until the introduction of a presidential system in January 1975.

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

Served: 1975

Became executive president in January 1975 and was assassinated in a military coup on 15 August 1975.

Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad

Served: 1975

Took office after the August 1975 coup and was deposed in November 1975.

Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem

Served: 1975–1977

Former chief justice who served as president and chief martial law administrator.

Ziaur Rahman

Served: 1977–1981

Army chief who became the first directly elected president and founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party; assassinated in May 1981.

Abdus Sattar

Served: 1981–1982

Vice president who succeeded Zia and was elected in November 1981; deposed in a coup in March 1982.

A. F. M. Ahsanuddin Chowdhury

Served: 1982–1983

Civilian president under martial law, dismissed in December 1983.

Hussain Muhammad Ershad

Served: 1983–1990

Army chief who seized power in 1982 and was forced to resign in December 1990.

Shahabuddin Ahmed

Served: 1990–1991 (acting)

Chief justice who led the caretaker government that organised the 1991 election.

Abdur Rahman Biswas

Served: 1991–1996

First president under the restored parliamentary system, from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

Shahabuddin Ahmed

Served: 1996–2001

Former chief justice who was elected president in 1996.

A. Q. M. Badruddoza Chowdhury

Served: 2001–2002

Bangladesh Nationalist Party founder who resigned in June 2002.

Muhammad Jamiruddin Sircar

Served: 2002 (acting)

Speaker of parliament who acted as president for 77 days.

Iajuddin Ahmed

Served: 2002–2009

Also served as chief adviser of the caretaker government during the 2006–2008 political crisis.

Zillur Rahman

Served: 2009–2013

Awami League politician who died in office in March 2013.

Mohammad Abdul Hamid

Served: 2013–2023

Longest-serving president; he served from 2013 to 2023.

Mohammed Shahabuddin

Served: 2023–2026

Elected unopposed in 2023 and resigned on 24 July 2026.

Hafiz Uddin Ahmad

Served: 2026 (acting)

Speaker of parliament who acted as president from 24 July to 21 August 2026.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir

Served: 2026–present

Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader elected by parliament on 20 August 2026 and in office since 21 August 2026.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Bangladesh

Who is the current president of Bangladesh?

The current head of state of Bangladesh is Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, in office since 2026.

Who were the previous presidents of Bangladesh?

The presidents and heads of state of Bangladesh listed on this page, in order, are: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Syed Nazrul Islam, Abu Sayeed Chowdhury, Mohammad Mohammadullah, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad, Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem, Ziaur Rahman, Abdus Sattar, A. F. M. Ahsanuddin Chowdhury, Hussain Muhammad Ershad, Shahabuddin Ahmed, Abdur Rahman Biswas, Shahabuddin Ahmed, A. Q. M. Badruddoza Chowdhury, Muhammad Jamiruddin Sircar, Iajuddin Ahmed, Zillur Rahman, Mohammad Abdul Hamid, Mohammed Shahabuddin, Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Who was the first president of Bangladesh?

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the first president of Bangladesh, in office 1971–1972.

Sources: Wikipedia, List of presidents of Bangladesh (terms as listed there); The Daily Observer, Dhaka Tribune and The Financial Express reports on the July–August 2026 transition (checked Nov 2026). Includes the 1971 Provisional Government and acting presidents, who are labelled. Bangladeshi sources number presidents inconsistently, so this page lists them in order without numbers.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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