Karnataka govt reduces SSLC, PUC pass score from 35 to 33

Bengaluru: Karnataka has lowered SSLC and PUC pass marks for state board students from 35 to 33 with effect from this academic year, in a major overhaul to align the exam standards with that of the CBSE and other boards.  

The School Education and Literacy Department, which had issued a draft notification in this regard and invited response from the public a few months ago, announced on Wednesday implementation of the revised system from March/April 2026 board exams.

Making the announcement, School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa said more than 700 responses in favour of lowering the pass marks were received against just eight responses seeking a status quo.

However, no decision has been made yet on reducing total marks for first language subjects in the SSLC from existing 125 to 100.

“Regarding first language subject marks we need to discuss with the chief minister and also get public opinion. But we will give clarity about it before the board exams this year,” Bangarappa said.

The minister further said aggregate pass marks will be 206 for the SSLC and 198 for the PUC. In case a student scores the aggregate pass mark but doesn’t have the minimum score in one or two subjects (above 30 and below 33), then such students will be declared passed.

The decision has been taken following a dip in SSLC pass percentage last year and also a petition by the Associated Management of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka. The association had highlighted the “injustice” caused to state board students as other boards were having a minimum pass mark of 33. The petition had cited this as a reason for state board students shifting to other boards at the high school level.