The Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) will commence the PUC 2 (Class 12) examinations 2026 on 28 February, starting with Kannada and Arabic papers. The exams will continue until 17 March 2026, covering students from science, commerce, and arts streams.
Karnataka PUC 2 2026: Student Registration and Streams
A total of 7,10,363 students from 5,174 PU colleges have registered for the Class 12 board exams:
- Science stream: 2,92,645 students
- Commerce stream: 2,11,174 students
- Arts stream: 1,42,982 students
Examinations will be conducted at 1,217 centres across Karnataka.
Karnataka PUC 2 Passing Criteria and Exam Guidelines
The minimum qualifying marks for PUC 2 have been relaxed from 35% to 30%. The Karnataka government has announced strict guidelines to prevent malpractice, including the circulation of fake question papers on social media. KSEAB President Prakash Nittali clarified that the question papers circulating online are fake and confirmed that complaints have been lodged with cyber police. The School Education and Literacy Department will also monitor social media closely during both PUC 2 and SSLC exams.
Free Travel for Students
To facilitate smooth exam attendance, free bus travel has been announced for students appearing for Class 10 and 12 exams:
- KSRTC and BMTC buses: free travel on production of hall ticket
- Private buses: free travel arrangements in coastal and Malnad regions
Upcoming Karnataka Board SSLC Exams 2026
The Karnataka SSLC (Class 10) board exams will begin on 18 March 2026 with the first language paper. A total of 9,02,889 students are expected to appear, including 8,12,855 freshers, 62,845 repeaters, and 27,189 private candidates
Key Instructions for PUC 2 Students
Students must:
- Reach the exam centre on time with hall tickets and ID proofs
- Follow all KSEAB guidelines and reporting instructions
- Be cautious of fake question papers circulating online
- Utilize the free transport services where applicable
The Karnataka PUC 2 exams 2026 mark an important milestone for Class 12 students, with authorities ensuring a secure and fair examination environment.