Karnataka cuts Class 10 pass marks from 35% to 33%, rule applies from 2025–26

India Today

2 days ago

Big news for Class 10 students in Karnataka! The Karnataka School Examination and Evaluation Board (KSEAB) has lowered the SSLC passing marks from 35% to 33%, aiming to ease pressure on students and promote better pass rates.As per the new rule, students now need to score at least 206 marks out of 625 (including internal and external assessments) to pass. But there's a catch – they must also score at least 30% in each subject's written exam, which comes to 24 out of 80 marks.advertisementThis change, part of the draft Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board (Amendment) 2025 regulations, was published in the state gazette on July 25, 2025. The rule is likely to be finalised after a 15-day objection window during which parents, teachers and the public can give feedback.WHAT'S CHANGING IN SSLC PASSING RULES?Passing marks reduced from 35% to 33%Students need at least 206 out of 625 marks to passMust get minimum 30% in each subject's written examChange applies from the 2025–26 academic yearThe move follows KSEAB's broader recommendation to align with CBSE standards. However, the government rejected the suggestion to reduce total marks for the first language subject from 125 to 100, so the total still stands at 625.School management bodies welcomed the new rules but called for clarity on subject-wise passing requirements.According to officials, this change will help more students from rural and underprivileged backgrounds pass the SSLC exam, while still maintaining basic quality standards.- Ends