Karnataka SSLC 2026 Third Language Grading and Date Change

Starting with the current 2025–26 academic cycle, the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) will no longer award numerical marks for the third language paper. Instead, students will be assessed using a grading system featuring four levels: A, B, C, and D. This reform, announced by Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa, serves to decouple third-language performance from a student's final academic standing.

Strategic Reduction in Total SSLC Marks

One of the most significant impacts of this change is the recalculation of the final aggregate. Previously, the SSLC exam carried a maximum of 625 marks. Under the new rules:

The total maximum marks have been reduced from 625 to 525.

Marks obtained in subjects like Hindi, Sanskrit, Urdu, or Arabic will not be counted in the final percentage.

While the exam remains mandatory to attend, the 'pass or fail' status for this specific paper has been officially scrapped.

 

Addressing the High Failure Rate in Hindi

This policy intervention follows alarming statistics from the previous academic year, where approximately 1.64 lakh students failed their third language exam. Notably, 1.48 lakh students failed in Hindi alone. Education experts and pro-Kannada organizations have long argued that the pressure to clear a third language was detrimental to a student’s focus on core subjects like Mathematics and Science. By shifting to grades, the government aims to ensure that a struggle with a non-native language does not derail a student's entire educational career.

Rescheduled Exam Date Due to Mahaveer Jayanthi

In addition to the grading reform, students should note a specific change in the SSLC exam timetable. The third language examination, originally slated for March 30, has been postponed to March 31, 2026. This adjustment was made following the state government's decision to revise the public holiday for Mahaveer Jayanthi.

The board has confirmed that the examination will take place during the standard morning shift from 10:00 AM to 1:15 PM. All other papers, including the final Social Science exam on April 2, will proceed as per the original schedule.

Impact on Future Admissions

While the third language no longer affects the aggregate percentage, the grades awarded will still appear on the official marks card. Students are encouraged to maintain a basic level of proficiency, as these grades serve as a record of their multilingual skills. This 'student-friendly' approach is expected to significantly boost the overall state pass percentage for the 2026 batch.