Bengaluru: After SSLC and II PU, now I PU students will have 33 as passing marks from this year.The department of school education and literacy has, in on order issued on Saturday, cut the pass mark from 35, benefiting about 6 lakh students who appear for exams every year. Unlike SSLC and II PU which have public exams with centralised valuation, answer scripts of I PU exams are evaluated at school or college level.In July 20205, the govt scaled down pass mark to 33 marks for SSLC (Class X, state board) and II PU effective from March 2026 exams to align with other boards such as Central Board of Secondary Education.To “maintain uniformity in the evaluation method and enhance the academic quality among the students”, it was decided to extend the minimum pass percentage to I PU as well, the order said. Now, Karnataka Pre-University Examination (Method of Evaluation) Rules, 2025, will be changed to reflect the change in passing marks.I PU exams are expected to be completed and results declared by March 31. “Since II PU pass percentage is fixed at 33, the same is being adopted for I PU too,” said Bharat S, director, department of PU education.“This move will provide a level playing field for students across boards,” said Ningegowda AH, president, Karnataka State Pre-University College Lecturers’ Association, welcoming the decision.Box Lecturers oppose power transfer to ZPsKarnataka State Pre-University College Lecturers’ Association has threatened to boycott valuation of papers if their demands are not met. A key demand is: Repeal proposal to transfer certain administrative, disciplinary, financial, and co-ordination powers from deputy directors of PU to zilla panchayat CEOs.The association alleged the department’s autonomy would be affected by the move. The department of school education and literacy recently submitted a proposal to the finance department to bring transparency and efficiency.
