State govt to pass all repeaters of Karnataka second PUC exam by giving grace marks; Karnataka High Court disposes of plea

The State government on Monday informed the Karnataka High Court that it will pass all the repeaters of the Karnataka Pre-University College (PUC) exam by giving them grace marks, in addition to the marks that they had secured in their earlier attempt..The government submitted an affidavit to this effect giving out details of its policy of promoting students who had appeared for the PUC exam..“As far and 2nd and 3rd category of students are concerned, it has been decided to promote them by giving minimum passing marks along with 5 percent grace marks,” read the affidavit..It was further informed that it will promote regular or freshers of II year pre-university courses by giving 45 percent weightage for their SSLC marks, 45 percent for I PU marks, and 10 percent for the internal assessment marks of II PU..Hearing this, a Division Bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Hanchate disposed of the petition which had challenged the different yardsticks adopted by the State for promoting repeaters, private students, and fresher students for the second PUC exam amid the COVID-19 pandemic..Even the private candidates, who are appearing as repeaters will be declared as passed by giving grace marks, it was further apprised..However, the Court was told that the private candidates, who are appearing for the II PUC for the first time will have to appear for the exam that would be conducted when the COVID-19 situation in the State subsides..The affidavit, in addition, said that the results of the second PUC will be announced before July 31, 2021, as per the direction given by the Supreme Court. .On June 17, the Court had ordered the State government to refrain from publishing the results of freshers of the Karnataka Pre-University College (PUC) exam till a comprehensive decision is taken for all categories regarding the exam..“Pending a comprehensive decision to be taken by state, it shall not announce results of those who have not taken the second PUC exams (freshers)”, the Court directed..The Department of Pre-University Education (DPUE) had announced its decision to promote regular/fresher students of second PUC based on first PUC exam while deciding to hold examinations only for repeaters by way of a notification dated June 3, 2021.