Karnataka proposes revised SSLC pass criteria amid rising student stress

The Karnataka government has proposed changes to the SSLC exam evaluation system to revise the passing criteria for students, facing growing concerns over student stress and declining pass rates.

The draft, released by the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB), outlines a plan to reduce both subject-wise and overall pass marks for Class 10 students.

If implemented, the minimum marks required per subject would drop from 35% to 30%, while students would need to secure an average of 33% across internal and external assessments to pass. A total score of at least 206 out of 625 would also be required.

The existing system mandates a strict 35% minimum in every subject, with no provision for considering overall performance.

The proposed shift would allow students to offset slightly lower marks in one subject with higher scores in another, so long as they meet the 30% subject benchmark.

Education leaders have voiced support for the new approach.

“This is a welcome move. Such reforms in the SSLC examination evaluation will help nearly one crore students across the state. At the same time, the government should also consider reducing the evaluation marks for first language in SSLC down to 100 from 125, to ensure parity with other boards,” said D Shashi Kumar, general secretary of the Karnataka Association of Managements of English Medium Schools (KAMS).

The draft proposal follows concerns over declining pass rates, which some attribute to the introduction of a webcasting system designed to prevent cheating.

In 2022-23, the SSLC pass rate was 83%. After webcasting was introduced in the 2023-24 exams, the initial pass percentage dropped sharply to 54%. It was later increased to 74% by awarding grace marks.

The decision to grant grace marks sparked criticism, particularly from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who reportedly questioned Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa and the examination board over the move.

In the following academic year, 2024-25, the first SSLC exam showed some improvement, with the pass percentage rising to 66%, despite continued use of the surveillance system.

The final decision on the revised criteria will depend on public feedback and further review by state authorities.