Karnataka PUC II 2026 Examinations: Key Dates and Major Announcements
The Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) has officially announced the schedule for the Pre-University Certificate (PUC) II examinations for the year 2026. The crucial board exams for Class 12 students are set to commence on February 28, 2026, and will conclude on March 17, 2026. The examination series will kick off with the Kannada and Arabic language papers on the inaugural day.
Student Registration and Stream-wise Distribution
This academic year witnesses a significant participation, with a total of 7,10,363 students registered from 5,174 Pre-University colleges across the state. The stream-wise breakdown of candidates is as follows:
- Science Stream: 2,92,645 students
- Commerce Stream: 2,11,174 students
- Arts Stream: 1,42,982 students
All examinations will be conducted across 1,217 designated centres throughout Karnataka, ensuring widespread accessibility for candidates.
Relaxed Passing Criteria for 2026 Batch
In a major decision aimed at providing relief to students, the KSEAB has revised the minimum qualifying marks for the PUC II examinations. The passing criteria have been relaxed, with the required percentage reduced from 35% to 30% for the 2026 examination cycle. This adjustment is expected to benefit a large number of examinees.
Enhanced Security and Anti-Malpractice Measures
The Karnataka government has implemented stringent monitoring protocols to combat the circulation of fraudulent question papers on social media platforms. This action follows recent incidents where fake PU II question papers were disseminated online, causing confusion among the student community.
Prakash Nittali, President of KSEAB, clarified that the circulated document was indeed counterfeit and confirmed that a formal complaint will be lodged with the cyber police department to address the issue.
Furthermore, the School Education and Literacy Department has announced that social media platforms will be under close surveillance during both the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) and PUC examinations to prevent any malpractice and ensure exam integrity.
Free Bus Travel Facility for Students
To facilitate smooth and hassle-free travel for examinees, the state government has introduced a free bus travel scheme for Class 10 and Class 12 students on their examination days. Students can avail this benefit by presenting their hall tickets on buses operated by the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC).
Additionally, arrangements have been made to provide complimentary travel in private buses within the coastal and Malnad regions, ensuring no student faces transportation hurdles.
SSLC Examinations 2026 Details
Concurrently, the Karnataka SSLC examinations for 2026 are scheduled to begin on March 18, 2026, starting with the first language paper. This year, 9,02,889 students are registered to appear for the Class 10 board exams, comprising:
- 8,12,855 fresh candidates
- 62,845 repeaters
- 27,189 private candidates
Official Advisory for Students
Authorities have issued a firm advisory, urging all students to rely exclusively on official updates and notifications released by the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board. Candidates are strongly advised to disregard any unverified information circulating on social media or other unofficial channels to avoid misinformation and unnecessary stress.
