Karnataka’s Class 10 third language exam for the 2026 academic year will use a new grading system. The government replaced numerical marks with grades A through D. This change affects students taking the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) exams. School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa announced the reform.
New Assessment for Third Language
The goal is to reduce academic pressure. Students will no longer receive scores for their third language. This subject is often Hindi in Karnataka. The new system aims to remove the fear of failure. All students must still take the exam. However, the results will not count towards their final aggregate score. The maximum SSLC score is now 525 marks, down from 625.
Previously, students received marks out of 100 for the third language. Statistics showed over 148,000 students failed Hindi last year. This new policy seeks to keep the language in the curriculum without a pass-fail consequence. The change is effective immediately for all third language options.
Key Changes in the SSLC Scheme
This reform is part of a broader effort to modernize assessments. The education department prioritizes student well-being. It moves away from rigid scoring in non-core subjects. The change addresses the high failure rate in the third language paper.
Comparison of Old and New Systems
| Feature | Old System (Pre-2026) | New System (2026 onwards) |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment Type | Marks-based (0–100) | Grading-based (A, B, C, D) |
| Total Aggregate | Out of 625 marks | Out of 525 marks |
| Pass/Fail Criteria | Mandatory to pass | No Pass or Fail status |
| Result Impact | Included in percentage | Excluded from final percentage |
| Attendance | Mandatory | Mandatory |
Student Requirements and Updates
Students are required to attend the third language exam. Even though results do not affect the overall percentage, it remains a mandatory part of the curriculum. The total SSLC score calculation has changed. It is now out of 525 points. The 100 points from the third language are removed from the final computation.
This rule applies to all third language subjects. These include Hindi, Sanskrit, Marathi, Urdu, Arabic, Konkani, and Tulu. The third language exam date for the current cycle was moved. It was rescheduled from March 30 to March 31, 2026. This change occurred due to Mahaveer Jayanthi.