II PUC practical exams in Karnataka to be web-streamed to curb malpractice

To prevent malpractice in II PUC practical examinations and to preserve the sanctity of evaluation, Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) has taken steps to conduct the practical exams of 2025-26 under web streaming.

In addition, it has also taken steps to install CCTV cameras in all examination centres and upload the practical exam marks online to the KSEAB server from the examination centres.

“To prevent any shortcomings in the II PUC practical examinations, a circular has already been issued to implement web streaming and a system of entering marks online at the examination centres from this year, and the examinations will be conducted accordingly,” said Gopalakrishna H.N., Director of KSEAB.

KSEAB will conduct II PUC practical examinations at the district level, headed by the Deputy Directors of Pre-University (DDPUs) of the respective district, from January 27 to February 14.

In subjects with practicals, the theory paper will be for 70 marks while the practical exam will be for a total of 30 marks. There is no minimum marks limit for students to pass the practical examination, with a maximum of 30 marks. However, students need to score at least 21 marks to pass the theory exam out of a maximum of 70 marks.

The minimum marks required for each subject, including both the theory and practical exams, is 30. However, students need to score a total of 33% marks this year to pass.

Students can appear for the theory exam even if they are absent from the practical exam. But, the minimum marks required to pass must be obtained in the theory exam.

However, it has come to the notice of the board that students are scoring maximum marks in the practical exams and scoring less marks in the theory section. There have also been incidents where students who performed poorly in practical exams were given good marks.

“Such unethical practices raise doubts about the sanctity of the evaluation of practical exams,” the KSEAB opined.

The KSEAB is already conducting SSLC and II PUC exams through web streaming. In a similar vein, it has been decided to conduct the practical exams also through web streaming.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled cameras will be installed in every examination centre where II PUC practical exams are held and the examination activities will be monitored from the KSEAB headquarters directly. If any irregularities are found, the authorities concerned will be alerted immediately.

The Board has implemented a system of online entry of marks at the time of evaluation of SSLC and II PUC answer sheets from the evaluation centres. It has also been decided to implement a system of entering practicals marks directly to the Board’s server online from the examination centre this year.

CCTV installation has been made mandatory in all examination centres to monitor the examination processes, including the entry of unauthorised persons.

“A District Practical Examination Committee should be formed to conduct the practical examination, with one Principal of the respective science subject as the coordinator and two senior science lecturers as members. This committee should prepare the schedule of all the practical examination centers in the district and appoint internal and external examiners. No change in the schedule should be allowed. If any shortcomings are found in practical examinations or if there are complaints, the DDPU will be directly responsible and disciplinary action will be taken against them,” the KSEAB warned.