Karnataka moves HC for urgent review of SSLC third language marks ruling

Bengaluru, Apr 19: The Karnataka government has approached the high court seeking review of its order directing that marks, rather than grades, be awarded for third language subjects, including Hindi, in SSLC examinations, and has urged that the matter be taken up on an urgent basis.

The dispute centres on the SSLC evaluation system, after education minister Madhu Bangarappa announced during the examination period that third language subjects and NSQF components would be assessed under a grading system instead of marks.

The decision was challenged before the High Court by students Sahana R Naik from Chikkamagaluru, and Anusha and Sudiksha from Udupi, who filed petitions raising objections to the change in assessment pattern.

On April 15, Justice E S Indiresh, while hearing the petitions, directed the state government to ensure that SSLC answer scripts are evaluated strictly in accordance with the rules that were in force at the time of issuance of the examination notification. The court specifically ordered that third language subjects, including Hindi, must be assessed through marks and not grading.

The order was passed after taking on record submissions from the government counsel, who stated that evaluation would be carried out as per the rules prevailing on the date of the notification.

The court observed that the 2025–26 SSLC examination evaluation must adhere strictly to the regulations applicable at the time of issuance of the notification.

Following this directive, the state government has now filed a review petition before the High Court seeking reconsideration of the order.

In its plea, the government has reiterated that SSLC answer script evaluation for the 2025–26 academic year will be conducted strictly in line with the rules that were in force at the time the examination notification was issued, and not under any subsequently proposed grading framework.

The state has also pressed for an urgent hearing, citing that the matter directly impacts ongoing evaluation procedures and implementation on the ground.