Karnataka Lowers I PU Passing Marks to 33% to Align with National Boards

The Karnataka Department of School Education and Literacy has reduced the minimum passing marks for First Pre-University (I PU) examinations from 35 per cent to 33 per cent. The change will come into effect from the current academic year.

Officials said the move is aimed at bringing the I PU evaluation pattern in line with the pass criteria already followed for SSLC and II PU examinations in the state, as well as with national boards such as CBSE where the qualifying mark stands at 33 per cent.

The revised rule is expected to benefit nearly six lakh students who appear for the I PU examinations each year. Unlike SSLC and II PU exams that undergo centralised evaluation, the I PU papers are assessed at the college level, a system that the government believes will continue to function smoothly under the revised criteria.

Education officials say the decision is part of an effort to standardise academic evaluation and remove discrepancies in pass marks across different stages of school education. The Karnataka Pre-University Examination Rules are expected to be updated to formally incorporate the new pass criteria.

The development comes as the state prepares to declare I PU examination results later this month, with authorities indicating that the revised rule will apply to the ongoing academic cycle.