SSLC exam to begin from March 21 and II PU from March 1; 35% marks mandatory to pass SSLC exam

SSLC exam to begin from March 21 and II PU from March 1; 35% marks mandatory to pass SSLC exam

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, February 22, 2025: Scoring 35% marks in the SSLC annual examination is mandatory for students this year to pass as the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) has reverted to the system that was in place before COVID-19.

During 2024, considering the high number of students who failed in SSLC exams, the board had resorted to normalisation by reducing the minimum pass marks to 25% and adding grace marks to help promote a large number of students.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Minister for the School Education and Literacy Madhu Bangarappa said that the SSLC results had fallen due to the implementation of various examination reforms, including web-streaming last year. “Therefore, the State government had decided to enhance normalisation in the interest of students and reduced the qualifying marks from 35% to 25%. Grace marks had been increased from 10% to 20% in all subjects as a one-time measure,” he said.

However, this year, the qualifying marks will not be reduced for any reason and grace marks will not be given for any subject, he added, saying it is mandatory for students to score 35% marks in all subjects to pass.

SSLC exam

The first annual examination for SSLC students will be held from March 21 to April 4, and a total of 8,96,447 students, including 4,61,563 boys and 4,34,884 girls, have enrolled from 15,881 high schools across the State.

“Compared to the previous year, this year, 15,238 students have registered for the II PU exam and 26,479 students for SSLC exam. The SSLC exam will be conducted in 2,818 centres and II PU in 1,171 centres.  To avoid malpractices, the examination process will be under surveillance through webcasting,” said Mr. Bangarappa.

He said adequate police security has been arranged for conducting the examination. Measures will be taken under the provisions of the Education Act against those who encourage leakage of question papers and examination irregularities in all districts, he said adding that “students should follow the dress code prescribed by educational institutions and the directions of the Supreme Court.”

To improve results of both examinations, a 20-point programme has been formulated and monthly meetings have been held at the Chief Executive Officers of zilla panchayath level, he said.

II PU exam

The annual examination for II PU students will be held from March 1 to March 20 and 7,13,862 students, including 3,35,468 boys, 3,78,389 girls, and five transgenders, have enrolled from 5,050 PU colleges across the State.

A total of 2,91,959 students have enrolled for science stream, 2,29,308 for commerce, and 1,92,595 for arts this year.

Mr. Bangarappa hinted about the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) learning at government schools and PU colleges and said, it is likely to be announced in the Budget. “We have requested Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to prioritise recruitment of teachers and infrastructure of schools in the Budget. We have asked for 5,000 school buildings and appointment of 15,000 teachers,” he said.