From 2027, Karnataka will introduce centralised question papers for the annual exams of the first-year Pre-University Course, known as 1st PUC.
All PU colleges in the state will use the same framework.
Until now, individual colleges prepared their own question papers. Under the new system, they will no longer do this.
The Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) will set common papers for students across the state.
The board will send the papers digitally to colleges on the day of the examination.
All colleges will also follow one common timetable.
Key points
- Centralised question papers for 1st PUC annual exams start from 2027.
- KSEAB will prepare papers and send them digitally on exam day.
- Answer sheets will still be checked at college level.
- Results will be declared only after District Deputy Directors approve them.
So why does this matter?
The state government wants to strengthen academic monitoring from the first year of the Pre-University Course.
The aim is to find learning gaps before students move to 2nd PUC.
School Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa said the system will help the department assess student performance.
He said it is also expected to help improve the pass percentage in 2nd PUC exams.
Who will still run the exams and check the answers?
KSEAB's role will remain limited to preparing question papers.
The exams will continue to be conducted under the supervision of the Department of School Education (Pre-University).
Practical exams will follow a separate arrangement. Their schedules will be prepared at the district level.
Answer sheets will still be evaluated at each college.
Results will be declared only after the District Deputy Directors review and approve them.
- 1KSEAB sets common papersThe state board prepares question papers for all PU colleges.
- 2Papers sent digitallyPapers are sent to colleges digitally on the day of the examination.
- 3One common timetableAll colleges follow the same examination timetable.
- 4Department supervises examsExams are conducted under the Department of School Education (Pre-University).
- 5Colleges evaluate answer sheetsAnswer sheets are still evaluated at each college.
- 6District officers approve resultsResults are declared only after District Deputy Directors review and approve them.
Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report
Explainer
What happened before
- Until now, individual PU colleges prepared their own question papers for 1st PUC exams.
- The Karnataka government wants to track students' academic progress from the first year of the Pre-University Course.
Why it matters
The change affects every 1st PUC student and every PU college in the state, since they will all use the same papers and timetable.
What to watch next
- The centralised system will start with the annual examinations in 2027.
- Practical exam schedules will be prepared at the district level.
