Bengaluru, July 25, 2025: The Karnataka government has unveiled draft rules proposing a revised evaluation pattern for SSLC and II PU examinations, effective from the 2025–26 academic year. Announced on Thursday, the changes lower the pass mark and integrate internal assessments into the final scores, aligning with national board practices.

For SSLC exams, the pass mark is reduced to 33% of the total marks, down from 35%. Students can achieve this by combining internal assessment and external examination scores, requiring a minimum of 206 out of 625 marks, with at least 30% in each subject. The total marks include 125 for the first language and 100 for other subjects, a structure unchanged from previous norms. Previously, the pass criterion was 35% with no combined average or specific total mark requirement, focusing only on 30% per subject.

For II PU, the pass threshold is also lowered to 33% of aggregate marks across all subjects, down from 35%, with a mandatory 30% in each subject, now including written exams, internal assessments, or practicals. In subjects without practicals, students need at least 24 out of 80 marks in the written exam, while those with practical components must score at least 21 out of 70 in theory. The practical exam format shifts from 30 to 20 marks, with an additional 10 marks awarded for meeting criteria such as 75% attendance, completed practicals, a certified record book, and exam appearance.

These amendments, part of the Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board First Regulations (Amendment) 2025, aim to address historically low pass percentages—62% for SSLC (5.28 lakh passed out of 8.68 lakh) and 69.16% for II PUC-1 (out of 6.37 lakh)—partly due to the absence of internal marks and a higher threshold. Objections or suggestions can be submitted to the Chairman, Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board, 3rd floor, 6th cross, Malleshwaram, Bengaluru-560003, within 15 days from July 24, 2025.

(Reference: Official notification EP 211 SLB 2025)