Bengaluru: Approximately 62.3% of the nearly nine lakh candidates who took the SSLC Exam 1, held in March-April this year, have passed. The results were announced by the department of school education and literacy here on Friday.
Last year, only two students had secured 625 out of 625. This time, though, a record 22 students have managed to score the maximum. Two of the highest-scoring students are from govt schools, while the list of 22 toppers includes 16 girl students.
Dakshina Kannada emerged the best among districts with 91% students clearing the exam.
However, there are 144 schools across the state, including six govt schools, where none of the students have passed. “We will push these schools to ensure they come up a better show in SSLC-2 and 3 exams,” education minister Madhu Bangarappa said.
The pass rate for this year is less by about 10 percentage points compared to the 73% recorded in 2024. However, to put things in perspective, this 73% was an improvement on the initial pass percentage of 54%, only after 20 grace marks were awarded to students across the board.
“The chief minister [Siddaramaiah] had clearly said there would be no grace marks this time. Instead, he directed us to focus on classroom teaching and learning. In view of that, the department drew up a slew of remedial measures – from completing the syllabus by Dec-Jan, to appointing guest teachers, to conducting special evening classes, with zilla panchayat CEOs directly monitoring the work,” Bangarappa explained.
“Out of the total students who have passed this year, 75% have got first class and distinction, securing more than 69% marks,” the minister said, adding that his department was happy with the students’ overall performance this year, considering the dismal initial pass percentage of 54% last year.
BOX
Pass percentages:
Regular candidates (fresh) — 66.1
Private candidates (fresh) — 8.2
Regular repeaters — 1.9
Private repeaters — 5
Overall — 62.3
Gender-wise pass percentages (fresh):
Boys — 58.1
Girls — 74
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The Delhi High Court on Friday asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a preliminary inquiry into allegations of an “extortion racket” being run inside Tihar Jail with the “involvement of its officials”.

A Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela also directed the Principal Secretary of the Delhi government’s Home Department to hold an inquiry and identify the officials responsible for the administrative and supervisory lapses in the prison.

The court was hearing a petition filed by a former inmate alleging extortion and pointing out the safety and security of prisoners inside the jail.

“The petition highlights certain irregularities, illegalities, malpractices and misconduct not only on the part of the jail authorities but also inmates. The allegations are as serious as that in connivance with jail authorities extortion racket was running on jail premises for procuring certain facilities,” the court observed.

The Bench said a report of the inspecting judge, jail number 8 and semi open prison, tendered to it in a sealed cover revealed “very disturbing facts” indicating criminal activities and irregularities in the functioning of the prison.

“For thoroughly conducting an inquiry into the matter, since the report [of inspecting judge] contained allegations of criminal activities, we deem it appropriate to require the CBI to conduct a preliminary enquiry into the matter,” the court ordered.

The court asked the CBI and the principal secretary to submit their reports before the next hearing on August 11.