BENGALURU: In view of the state government itself informing that valuation of SSLC examination answer scripts of the academic year 2025-26 will be conducted as per norms prevailing on the date of issue of notification for the examination, the Karnataka High Court directed the state to follow the same by valuating answer scripts of the third language, instead of bringing in the grading system.
Justice ES Indiresh passed the order on April 15, after recording the statement by the government advocate in response to a petition filed by three students, expressing apprehension about the recent remark made by Minister for Primary and Secondary Education introducing the grading system in valuating the third language of the SSLC examination.
The three students, Sahana R Naik of Chikkamagaluru district, Anusha and Sudhiksha of Udupi district, who appeared for the recently held SSLC exams, moved the high court seeking directions to the state to follow the circular dated October 28, 2025, issued by the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board, about the valuation of answer scripts.
When the matter was taken up for hearing, the additional government advocate submitted that valuation for the SSLC examination will be conducted as per the circular prevailing as of the date of examination.
Recording the same, the court directed the state to conduct the valuation of the recently conducted SSLC examination as per the existing rules prevailing on the date of issue of examination notification for the academic year 2025-26.
The court noted that the state shall not change the procedure of valuation without the existence of rules or circular issued on the date of notification to conduct the examination. It is a well-settled principle in law that there shall be no change in the rules of the game midway, the court said, disposing of the petition.
Citing a division bench judgment in support of its order, the court said the rules prevailing on the date of issue of notification for examination shall prevail, and any subsequent modification is contrary to Article 14 of the Constitution.