Karnataka to Hold State-Level SSLC Mid-Term Exams from September 23

Karnataka will hold state-level Summative Assessment-1 (SA-1), the mid-term examinations for SSLC students, from September 23 to 30. The decision was taken by the Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL).

Minister for School Education and Literacy Madhu Bangarappa said the assessment for the 2026–27 academic year will follow the pattern of the preparatory examination. The exercise is intended to gauge how far students have progressed in their studies so far and to help them prepare for the final examination, he said, adding that arrangements had been made to conduct it in an organised manner.

The question papers will be prepared by the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB). Under the supervision of the Commissioner of Public Instruction, the paper scheduled for a given day will be uploaded to the school login of the headmaster of each high school on the morning of the examination. Headmasters must then print the papers and distribute them to students.

To guard against misuse, the downloaded question paper will carry a watermark showing the school's code.

A fixed schedule has been laid down for exam day. Classes will begin at 9.15 a.m., the question paper will be downloaded from the school login at 9.30 a.m., and printing will take place between 9.45 a.m. and 10 a.m. The Commissioner has issued an order that the packets containing the question papers be handed over to the examination hall at 10.15 a.m.

The department has warned of strict legal action against anyone involved in malpractices, including leaking question papers from examination centres, copying, photographing question papers, circulating them on social media or WhatsApp, or supplying cheat sheets. It has further warned that schools — both aided and unaided — found to be involved in any malpractice will have their recognition permanently revoked.