‘The 33% mark requirement for passing the class X exam originated during the colonial era, introduced with the first matriculation examination in 1858.’
| Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR
The State government’s move to reduce the pass marks for class X exams from 35 to 33 has drawn mixed reactions from stakeholders. While private school managements and parents’ associations have welcomed the decision, educationists have opposed it.
The State government on Thursday issued a gazette notification reducing the pass percentage for SSLC exams from 35 to 33.
Developmental educationist V.P. Niranjanaradhya said the move was a reflection of “our educational bankruptcy and the poor quality education”. “The 33% mark requirement for passing the class X exam originated during the colonial era, introduced with the first matriculation examination in 1858. The British, who had a 65 average pass percentage in their country, came up with a standard that is based on scorn, contempt, and discrimination, thinking that Indians are “half as capable” as their own citizens,” he said.
“We have now completed about 165 (1858-2025) years of education, and there is an urgent need to raise the average pass percentage to at least 50% and the minimum subject-wise marks to at least 40. Instead we are going back,” he argued.
Private schools and parents’ association welcome decision
The Associated Management of English Medium Schools in Karnataka (KAMS), a private school managements’ organisation, has welcomed the move. “The decision will provide justice to about one crore children studying the State curriculum,” asserted Shashikumar D., general secretary, KAMS. He further urged that 125 marks allotted for the first language be reduced to 100.
The Karnataka Private School College Parent Associations Coordination Committee also welcomed the move, saying that this notification will help eliminate the discrimination between Central curriculum and State curriculum students. And, it is of the opinion that the class X results will increase.
“For many years, there was discrimination in the results of CBSE and State syllabus for class X students. We have been urging the government to eliminate this discrimination for the last five years. The government has considered our plea,” said Lokesh Talikatte, president of KRUPA, another private school organisation.
Pass percentage for II PU also reduced to 33
The State government issued a gazette notification reducing the pass percentage for II PU exams from 35 to 33.
As per the new rules, candidates, who secure 30% of the total marks in each subject, including marks obtained in the written examination and internal assessment or practical examination and 33% of the aggregate marks across all subjects, will be declared as passed.
In subjects with no practical examination or internal assessment, the candidate who secured a minimum 24 marks out of 80 in each subject will be declared as passed. In subjects with a practical examination or internal assessment, the candidate who secured minimum 21 marks out of 70 in the written examination will be declared as passed.
Out of the 30 marks already allotted for the practical exam, it will be held for only 20 marks, and the remaining 10 marks shall be awarded to a candidate who secured a minimum of 75% attendance in each subject.
Published – July 25, 2025 09:21 pm IST
