The Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) has announced important updates for students taking the Second Pre-University Course (2nd PUC) examinations. These new rules will come into effect from the 2025-26 academic year . The changes include revisions to the syllabus for certain subjects, a reduction in the minimum passing marks, a requirement for practical exam attendance, and the introduction of a new system allowing students three chances to clear their exams each year.
Key Updates for Karnataka 2nd PUC Exams
These adjustments by KSEAB are designed to support students and clarify the examination process for future sessions. Students and colleges should take note of these upcoming changes to prepare effectively.
Syllabus Changes for Specific Subjects
The KSEAB has revised the syllabus for three particular subjects: Psychology , Computer Science , and Home Science . These updated syllabi will be used by fresh students who begin their 2nd PUC studies from the 2025-26 academic year onwards. It is important to remember that students who are currently repeating their exams in the present academic year will still follow the older syllabus. The board aims to keep the curriculum relevant and updated with these revisions.
Lower Passing Marks Introduced
One of the most significant changes is the reduction in the minimum passing criteria for the 2nd PUC exams. From the 2025-26 academic year , all new students (freshers), private candidates, and repeaters will benefit from these lower passing requirements. This adjustment aims to reduce student stress and improve the overall pass rate.
| Exam Component | Old Minimum Pass Percentage | New Minimum Pass Percentage |
| Overall Marks (Aggregate) | 35% | 33% |
| Subject-wise Written Exam | (Previously higher than 30%) | 30% |
To make this clearer, for subjects that do not have a practical component (non-practical subjects) and are graded out of 80 marks, students will now need to score a minimum of 24 marks to pass the written exam. For science subjects such as Physics and Chemistry, which have a written exam component of 70 marks, students will need to score at least 21 marks in the written paper to pass that subject. These changes mean students need slightly fewer marks to clear their papers.
75% Attendance Made Mandatory for Practicals
The KSEAB has also made it compulsory for students to have a minimum of 75% attendance in classes to be eligible to sit for their practical examinations. This rule ensures that students attend practical sessions regularly, which is important for understanding the subjects better. The marks obtained in these practical exams, along with the assessment from their practical record books, will be included in the calculation of their final scores. This step is expected to improve student engagement in practical learning and potentially boost the state's overall pass percentage.
New System: Three Annual Examinations
The Karnataka Board is changing its exam structure by introducing a system of "three annual examinations." This new system replaces the traditional "supplementary" exams. Under this new plan, if a student is unable to pass the main 2nd PUC exam conducted in the first attempt (for example, the first exam in 2026), they will be given two additional opportunities to take the exam within the same academic year. This means students will have a total of three chances to clear their papers, helping them avoid losing a full academic year if they do not succeed on their initial attempt. This system provides more flexibility and support for students.
