Karnataka SSLC & PUC Exams 2026: 16 Lakh Students to Appear

The Karnataka School Education Department has announced full preparedness for the upcoming SSLC and PUC Examinations 2026, with over 16 lakh students set to appear across the state.Addressing the media, Karnataka Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa outlined the examination schedule, student strength, security measures, and facilities being arranged to ensure smooth conduct of the board exams.

Over 16 Lakh Students to Appear

The PUC Examination 2026 will be conducted from February 28 to March 17, 2026. A total of 7,10,363 students will appear, including:

• 6,46,801 fresh candidates
• 50,540 repeaters
• 13,022 private candidates

Exams will be held in 5,174 colleges and schools, covering 1,217 examination centres across Karnataka. The tentative result date is April 7, 2026. PUC Exam-2 is scheduled from April 25 to May 9, with results expected on May 22, 2026.

Meanwhile, the SSLC Examination 2026 will be conducted from March 18 to April 2, 2026. A total of 9,02,889 students will appear, including:

• 8,12,855 fresh candidates
• 62,845 repeaters
• 27,189 private candidates

The exams will take place in 15,941 schools across 2,871 centres. The tentative result date is April 24, 2026. SSLC Exam-2 will be held from May 18 to May 25, with results expected on June 1, 2026.

Strict Vigilance Against Question Paper Leaks

The Education Department has announced stringent measures to prevent question paper leaks and misinformation. Special monitoring teams will track social media platforms to identify fake accounts spreading rumours about leaked papers for monetary gain.Minister Madhu Bangarappa warned that such accounts would be blocked immediately and strict legal action would follow. Police support has also been sought to ensure tight security at examination centres.

Free Bus Travel for Students

To facilitate hassle-free travel during the examination period, the state government has arranged free bus services for SSLC and PUC students in KSRTC and BMTC buses. This initiative aims to reduce stress and ensure timely arrival at examination centres.

Key Timetable Highlights

For PUC students, major subjects include Kannada (Feb 28), English (March 3), Physics (March 6), Chemistry (March 9), Mathematics and Accountancy (March 14), and Biology and Computer Science (March 16).For SSLC students, the exams begin with First Language on March 18, followed by Science (March 23), Mathematics (March 28), and conclude with Social Science on April 2.

Full Preparedness Assured

The Minister assured that all logistical, administrative, and security arrangements have been put in place to ensure fair and stress-free examinations. With strict monitoring, police coordination, and student-friendly initiatives like free transport, Karnataka aims to conduct SSLC and PUC Exams 2026 smoothly across the state.