Karnataka revises pass percentage for SSLC, PUC Board Exams starting 2025–26 academic year
Bengaluru: In a major relief for students, the Karnataka Education Department has revised the pass percentage for SSLC and II PUC exams. From the 2025–26 academic year, students will need to score a minimum of 33% to pass instead of 35%, said Primary and Secondary Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, the minister said that SSLC students must now secure at least 206 marks out of 625, while PUC students need 198 marks out of 600 to be declared pass.
According to the revised norms, the pass criteria will be based on the average of internal assessment and external examination marks, with students required to score at least 33% overall and a minimum of 30% in each subject.
Madhu Bangarappa said the government had earlier invited public feedback on the proposal to reduce the pass percentage. “We received 701 letters supporting the 33% rule and only 8 letters in favor of retaining 35%. Based on this response, the new rule will be implemented from the 2025–26 academic year,” he said.
For SSLC, students who score 206 marks or more out of 625 excluding the first language paper will be considered pass.
For II PUC students, a total of 198 marks out of 600 will be required to pass. In subjects without practical or internal assessment, students must score at least 24 out of 80 marks in written exams.
In subjects with internal or practical components, students must score 21 out of 70 marks in written exams. For subjects with practicals, the 30 marks allotted will be divided into 20 marks for practical exams and 10 marks for attendance and other parameters, the minister explained.
Madhu Bangarappa added that this move aims to bring Karnataka’s education standards in line with national-level evaluation norms and ease the academic pressure on students.
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Elderly Dalit woman cremated on road after family denied access to village cremation ground in Bihar
Vaishali: An elderly Dalit woman was cremated on a public road in Bihar’s Vaishali district after her family was allegedly prevented from using the village cremation ground, triggering outrage and tension in the area, The Observer Post reported.
The incident occurred on Thursday at Sontho Andhari village under the Goraul police station limits. The deceased, identified as Jhapki Devi (95), belonged to a Mahadalit family. According to locals and police, when her family tried to take her body to the cremation ground, some people blocked the route, leaving the family with no option but to perform the last rites on the road.
Family members and residents said the obstruction has been a long-standing issue. “Every time we take a body for cremation, the way is blocked. This has happened earlier too, but no permanent solution was given,” said a local resident from Manjhi Tola, expressing anger over repeated denial of access.
As tensions rose, the funeral procession stopped at Andhari Gachi Chowk, where the body was placed on a pyre in front of a Shiva temple and cremated on the road. Villagers alleged that the pathway connecting the main road to the cremation ground had been encroached upon by local landowners.
Police and administrative officials later reached the spot. A fire brigade vehicle was deployed to extinguish the pyre, and the road was cleaned after the cremation. Public representatives who arrived at the scene were reportedly chased away by protesting villagers, who accused the administration of ignoring their complaints for years.
Vaishali Superintendent of Police Vikram Sihag said the issue arose due to the absence of a clear path. “Earlier, there was a route to the cremation ground, but some people built a temple on that path. Due to the lack of access, the family carried out the cremation on the road,” he said. He added that discussions were held with local officials and that arrangements would be made to restore access to the cremation ground. “The situation is currently under control,” the SP said.
Block Development Officer Pankaj Kumar Nigam and Circle Officer Divya Chanchal said the area had been cleared and an inquiry was under way. “All aspects will be examined, and steps will be taken to ensure that such incidents do not happen again,” they said.
