Mangaluru: Revaluation of answer scripts in Karnataka's II PU Examination-1 has led to a sharp jump in scores for many students, raising fresh concerns about the reliability of the initial assessment by the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB). Official data show that while most students recorded changes within a narrow band of one to five marks, a smaller group saw unusually large jumps after revaluation. In some of the most striking cases, marks increased by more than 50, with the highest revisions falling in the 50 to 60 range. Several others gained between 20 and 30 marks. In contrast, reductions in marks after revaluation were relatively limited. The largest drops were between 15 and 16 marks and were seen only in a handful of cases. Most downward revisions were minor, generally ranging from 1 to 4 marks.
Impact on Students and Criticism
Such significant upward revision in scores has triggered criticism from students, parents, and educational institutions, particularly because many of those who sought revaluation had initially scored below 40. In several cases, candidates who were originally below the pass mark of 35 crossed the threshold after their papers were reassessed, altering their overall results and academic prospects. The upward revision was seen across subjects, with no clear pattern. To cite just a few cases in point, Roncia Lobo's total rose from 579 to 591 after revaluation, helping her secure a rank. Chinmay, a science stream student, saw his total rise from 589 to 595.
Demands for Accountability
Education stakeholders have demanded accountability for major discrepancies and called for stricter supervision during the valuation process. Narendra L. Nayak, the chairman of the Expert Group of Institutions and state secretary of KUPMA, said evaluators often approach correction with differing mindsets and stressed the need for chief evaluation officers to enforce strict adherence to the blueprint during assessment. He further said errors in evaluation can significantly affect a student's future, including CET rankings, and must be addressed urgently. A college principal also criticised what is described as an erratic evaluation system in which students are forced to bear the consequences. The principal said even meritorious candidates end up with lower marks initially and are then compelled to undergo a costly revaluation process. KSEAB director Gopalkrishna HN was not available for comments.
