Karnataka 1st PUC Exams to Adopt Centralised Question Paper System from 2027

The Karnataka state government has introduced a significant shift in the evaluation framework for first-year Pre-University Course (PUC) students. Starting from the 2027 annual examination cycle, the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) will implement a centralised question paper system, moving away from the previous model where individual institutions were responsible for setting their own assessments.

This policy change is designed to establish a uniform assessment standard across all Pre-University colleges in the state. By centralising the creation of question papers, the board aims to ensure that every student, regardless of their institution, is evaluated on the same curriculum and difficulty level during the annual examinations.

Standardised Examination Process and Digital Distribution

Under the new guidelines, the KSEAB will take full responsibility for designing the question papers for the first-year PUC examinations. While the board will oversee the content of these papers, the Department of School Education (Pre-University) will retain the responsibility of conducting the examinations within the respective college premises. This division of labour is intended to maintain local oversight while ensuring statewide consistency in academic testing.

To facilitate this transition, the state board has developed a secure digital infrastructure for the distribution of examination materials. On the scheduled day of each examination, participating colleges will receive the common question papers through this digital system. Institutions will then be responsible for printing the papers on-site for their students. This digital delivery mechanism is expected to streamline the logistics of the examination process while maintaining the integrity and security of the question papers until the moment they are administered.

Scope of the New Assessment Framework

The introduction of the common question paper system marks a departure from the traditional autonomy colleges previously held regarding their internal examination papers. By mandating a common timetable and identical question sets, the KSEAB is aligning the first-year PUC assessment process more closely with the structure of final-year board examinations. While this change applies to the theoretical components of the annual examinations, the board has indicated that specific rules regarding practical assessments and the broader evaluation process will continue to be governed by the updated regulatory framework.