Karnataka High Court Bars Midway Shift To Grading System For SSLC Exams, Orders Evaluation Of Third Language As Per Existing Rules

The Karnataka High Court on April 15 (Wednesday) directed the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) to evaluate the March 2026 SSLC exams in line with the rules applicable at the time of issuing the exam notification. This development takes on prominence in light of the recent statement by the Karnataka Education Minister that a grading system will be implemented instead of the marking system for third languages such as Hindi, Urdu, and Arabic. The single judge bench of Justice E.S. Indiresh observed that the State would not be justified in changing the valuation procedure contrary to the circular applicable at the time of issuance of the examination notification.“…It is well settled principle in law that, there shall not be any change in the rules of the game in the midway and implies stability or a strict adherence to the guidelines or rules issued at the time of starting of the game”, the court opined by relying on Naveen Kumar N. And Others Vs. Kptcl And Others, (2025).Pertinently, on April 10, the principal division bench of the High Court had imposed ₹1 lakh costs on a PIL litigant for wrongly claiming that the State Education Minister, through the policy prescribing grading system for third language SSLC exam (including Hindi), was "doing away" with Hindi language.Three SSLC students, through their guardians, approached the single judge bench of Justice E. Indiresh, seeking a writ of mandamus directing the respondent state authorities to strictly follow the revised Circular dated October 28, 2025 issued by the KSEAB Chairman concerning the valuation of marks.During the hearing, Adv. R V Naik, appearing for the students, expressed apprehension about the press statement made by Minister Madhu Bangarappa about introducing a grading system for third languages instead of marks.However, the Additional Government Advocate informed the court that the valuation for the current academic year would follow the circular in force as of now. “…In that view of the matter, the respondents are directed to conduct the valuation of recently conducted examination for SSLC as per the existing rules which was prevailing as on the date of the issuance of notification as to the examination for the academic year 2025-26”, the court noted in the order…”, the court concluded.While allowing the writ petition, the court also observed that not following the circular in force at the time of issuing exam notification would be violative of Article 14 of the Constitution.Case Title: Sahana R. Naik & Ors. v. State of Karnataka & Ors.Case No: Writ Petition No. 11717 Of 2026Click Here To Read/ Download Order

Karnataka High Court Bars Midway Shift To Grading System For SSLC Exams, Orders Evaluation Of Third Language As Per Existing Rules

Sebin James

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