KSEAB gives SSLC 2026 students three chances to pass — Exam-1 in March–April, Exam-2 in June–July, and Exam-3 in September–October — each covering only the subjects a student has not yet cleared.
The Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board (KSEAB) runs this three-attempt framework so that failing one or two subjects does not cost students an entire academic year. Marks in subjects you already passed are carried forward and you only re-sit the subjects you failed. This article explains the rules, eligibility, registration steps, and passing criteria for each attempt in the SSLC 2026 cycle.
- Exam-1: Main annual exam, March–April 2026; all regular Class 10 students must appear.
- Exam-2: First supplementary exam, June–July 2026; for students who failed one or more subjects in Exam-1.
- Exam-3: Second supplementary exam, September–October 2026; for students with subjects still pending after Exam-2.
- You appear only in failed subjects — cleared subjects are retained across all attempts.
- Minimum pass mark per subject: 35 out of 100 (35%).
- Failing all three attempts means re-enrolling for Class 10 in the next academic year.
| Direct Link to KSEAB SSLC 2026 Official Portal (ACTIVE) — kseab.karnataka.gov.in |
What is the KSEAB SSLC Three-Attempt System?
KSEAB conducts the SSLC (Class 10) exam in three windows every academic year. The framework ensures students who fail one or two subjects do not lose an entire year. Each attempt tests only the subjects a student failed in the previous attempt — subjects already cleared are never re-examined.
| Attempt | Exam | When (2026) | Who is Eligible |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Exam-1 (Main) | March–April 2026 | All regular SSLC students |
| 2nd | Exam-2 (Supplementary) | June–July 2026 | Students who failed in Exam-1 |
| 3rd | Exam-3 (Second Supplementary) | September–October 2026 | Students who failed in Exam-2 |
All three attempts fall within the 2025–26 academic cycle. The SSLC pass certificate issued after Exam-3 is identical in value to one issued after Exam-1 — the certificate does not mention which attempt the student passed in.
Exam-1 Rules and Eligibility
Exam-1 is the main SSLC examination held every year in March–April. Every student enrolled in Class 10 in Karnataka must appear in Exam-1.
- Attendance: A minimum of 85% attendance during the academic year is mandatory to sit Exam-1.
- All six core subjects are tested; both external theory and internal assessment marks count toward the final subject score.
- Students who score below the passing threshold in any subject are automatically eligible for Exam-2 in that subject — no separate application is needed.
- Students who clear a subject in Exam-1 do not re-appear in that subject at any later attempt.
- Students absent due to a valid reason may be permitted to appear in Exam-2 under the absent category — contact your school for documentation details.
Exam-2 Rules: Eligibility, Registration and Dates
Exam-2 is the first supplementary exam, held roughly two months after Exam-1 results. If your SSLC Exam-1 2026 result shows one or more failed subjects, you are eligible for Exam-2 in those subjects.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Students who failed one or more subjects in SSLC Exam-1 2026 |
| Subjects | Only the subjects you failed in Exam-1 |
| Exam Period | June–July 2026 (exact dates at kseab.karnataka.gov.in) |
| Registration | Via school; school submits application to KSEAB on your behalf |
| Application Fee | Per-subject fee applicable; check the official portal for the current amount |
| Marks Carry Forward | Subjects cleared in Exam-1 are retained automatically |
Contact your school immediately after Exam-1 results are declared. The school submits your application and fee to KSEAB within the notified registration window. Missing the Exam-2 registration deadline means you must wait for Exam-3.
Exam-3 Rules: Eligibility, Registration and Dates
Exam-3 is the final supplementary exam of the 2025–26 SSLC cycle. If you still have failed subjects after Exam-2, this is your last opportunity to clear them within this academic year.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Students who failed one or more subjects in SSLC Exam-2 2026 |
| Subjects | Only the subjects still failed after Exam-2 |
| Exam Period | September–October 2026 (exact dates at kseab.karnataka.gov.in) |
| Registration | Via KSEAB portal after Exam-2 results are declared |
| Marks Carry Forward | Subjects cleared in Exam-1 and Exam-2 are both retained |
| Last Opportunity | Final chance within the 2025–26 academic cycle |
Exam-3 uses the same question paper pattern and marking scheme as Exam-1 and Exam-2. Students who pass all remaining subjects in Exam-3 receive the full SSLC pass certificate, identical in value to one issued after Exam-1.
Subject-wise Passing Criteria for SSLC 2026
KSEAB requires a minimum of 35 marks out of 100 (35%) in each subject to pass that subject. There is no overall aggregate pass requirement — every subject is cleared on its own merits.
| Subject | Max Marks | Min Pass Marks |
|---|---|---|
| First Language (Kannada / Hindi / Urdu etc.) | 100 | 35 |
| Second Language | 100 | 35 |
| Third Language (English) | 100 | 35 |
| Mathematics | 100 | 35 |
| Science | 100 | 35 |
| Social Science | 100 | 35 |
Internal assessment marks are included in the 100-mark total for each subject. A low internal assessment score combined with a borderline theory score can still result in a fail — review both components of your Exam-1 result before preparing for Exam-2.
What Happens If You Fail All Three Attempts?
If you cannot clear all subjects even after Exam-3, KSEAB does not issue a pass certificate for the 2025–26 cycle. Here are the options available to you.
- Re-enroll for Class 10: Register for the 2026–27 academic year through a school or as a private student; this gives you a fresh set of three attempts under the new cycle.
- Subject exemption: KSEAB may grant exemptions for subjects you passed in a previous cycle; contact your school or the nearest KSEAB district office for the current policy.
- NIOS pathway: The National Institute of Open Schooling offers an alternate Class 10 certification; students can appear for the On-Demand Examination or scheduled board exams throughout the year.
- Private student registration: Students above regular school-going age can appear for SSLC as private students, subject to KSEAB eligibility norms.
KSEAB SSLC 2026 Three-Attempt System FAQs
Ques. How many attempts does KSEAB give to pass SSLC 2026?
Ans. KSEAB gives students three attempts within a single academic year: Exam-1 (main exam in March–April), Exam-2 (first supplementary in June–July), and Exam-3 (second supplementary in September–October 2026).
Ques. Do I need to re-appear in all subjects if I failed one in SSLC Exam-1?
Ans. No. You only need to re-appear in the subject or subjects you failed. Marks in subjects you already passed in Exam-1 are retained and carried forward to your final result.
Ques. Will the SSLC certificate show which attempt I passed in?
Ans. No. The KSEAB SSLC pass certificate does not mention whether you passed in Exam-1, Exam-2, or Exam-3. It reflects your subject-wise marks and overall result only.
Ques. What is the minimum pass mark in each SSLC subject in 2026?
Ans. The minimum pass mark is 35 out of 100 (35%) in each subject. You must clear each subject individually — there is no overall aggregate pass requirement.
Ques. How do I register for KSEAB SSLC Exam-2 2026?
Ans. Registration for Exam-2 is done through your school. Contact your school immediately after Exam-1 results are declared. Your school submits the application and fee to KSEAB within the registration window. Check kseab.karnataka.gov.in for exact dates and deadlines.
Ques. What happens if I fail all three SSLC attempts in 2026?
Ans. If you fail all three attempts, you must re-enroll for Class 10 in the next academic year (2026–27). You can also explore NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling) as an alternate route to earning a Class 10 certificate.
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