Karnataka proposes 206 out of 625 as 'pass' marks in Class 10 exam

Bengaluru: The Department of School Education & Literacy has proposed new regulations under which a student will be declared ‘pass’ by securing at least 206 out of a total 625 marks in the Class 10 (SSLC) exam.

The draft Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board First Regulations (Amendment) 2025 were notified on Thursday.

“Candidates shall secure an average of 33% marks in internal assessment and external examination combined and shall be declared pass if they secure at least 206 marks out of a total of 625 marks, including at least 30% marks in each subject out of the total marks of the respective subject,” the proposed regulations state.

Earlier this month, the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) gave a proposal to the government to revise the SSLC examination pattern to bring it on par with the CBSE.

Besides recommending a reduction in minimum passing marks from 35 to 33, the KSEAB wanted the total score for the first language subject to be cut from 125 to 100. The government has not accepted this as the total marks remain 625 as per the draft regulations.

The Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka welcomed the proposed regulations, while expressed disappointment that government is not reducing the total marks for the first language subject from 125 to 100. The first language subject is worth 100 marks across the country, it pointed out.

The schools’ body also sought clarity on the requirement for a student to secure 30% marks in each subject to pass.