Image for representation.
Credit: DH Photo
Bengaluru: The Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examination-1 results this year have improved by eight percentage points compared to those in 2024.
The pass percentage this year is 62.34 against 54 per cent last year, which was further pushed up to 73 per cent by awarding grace marks. This year, following instructions from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) did not award grace marks, except the one allowed as per the examination ordinance to promote those on the borderline.
Of the 8,42,173 students who appeared for the exams, as many as 5,24,984 managed to clear the exams. The pass percentage among regular fresh students recorded this year is 66.14. The total regular fresh students who appeared for the exams was 7,90,890 of whom 5,23,075 cleared the exam.
Minister for School Education and Literacy Madhu Bangarappa attributed the improved results to various measures taken by the department. Releasing the results on Friday, Madhu Bangarappa even thanked the chief minister, who insisted that the department focus more on classroom teaching and learning.
“We conducted special classes, provided free electricity to help schools conduct special classes even late in the evening, ensured the syllabus was completed in January and intense revision was done. Zilla panchayat CEOs personally monitored the classes and several such measures helped us achieve the results despite exams being held under tight vigil,” explained Madhu Bangarappa.
Referring to the steep decline in results last year and the years earlier, the minister said maintaining sanctity of the examinations is important. “The exams held prior to 2024 may not have been that transparent. The decision behind webcasting the exams itself proves something was not right,” he said.
The number of students securing 625 out of 625 has increased from the previous year’s two to 22 this time, including 16 girls, and two from government schools.
The minister said that 75 per cent of the students who passed got first class and distinction with more than 69 per cent marks.
District wise, Dakshina Kannada topped the state (freshers results) with 91.12 per cent and replaced Udupi district which topped the list last year. Udupi dropped to second place this year with 89.96 per cent, followed by Uttara Kannada (83.19 per cent), Shivamogga (82-29 per cent) and Kodagu (82-21 per cent.)
With Yadgir district (51.6 per cent ) moving to the 33rd position from the bottom, Kalaburagi dipped from 34 to 35. Vijayapura district, which was in the 11 position last year, went down to 34.
No fee for Exams 2, 3
Regular fresh students who were unable to clear the exams can register for second and third examination free of cost. Exam 2 will be held between May 26 and June 2. However, repeaters, private candidates and those who wish to write again to improve scores must pay the prescribed fees.