Karnataka is planning to implement a new examination system for first-year Pre-University Course students (1st PUC) from 2027 onwards. As per the new arrangement, 1st PUC students of government, aided and private Pre-University colleges will be conducted annual examinations in a common question paper prepared at the state-level. This step is to ensure standardised exams at the state level.
As per the new system, the KSEAB will prepare the question papers for the Karnataka 1st PUC annual exam in 2027. Till now, each individual college prepared, printed and distributed their own question papers, leading to variances in the level of difficulty and coverage of the syllabus. With the new system, all PU colleges will have a standard date sheet for the exam and question papers will be uploaded to the PU colleges digitally on the day of the examination.
But these modifications will only take effect in the context of the question paper construction. The examination will not be performed by the KSEAB. The Department of School Education (Pre-University) will still be in charge of the examination procedure. Answer sheets will still be assessed at the college level, under the direction of college officials, with results announced following confirmation and sanction by the relevant District Deputy Directors of Pre-University Education.
Further, Practical examinations will be conducted as per the calendar prepared at district level. The government has also proposed other arrangements such as vigilence squads, inter-college supervision and others to ensure transparent conduct of examinations and to prevent irregularities.
School Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa said the step will enable the department to track the progress of students from the first year itself. “It is also expected to help identify learning gaps early on and build up second-year PUC students’ preparation,” she added.
The new system will be implemented from 2027 annual exams, with all students of 1st PUC studying the same question paper at the state-level.
