The Kerala SSLC SAY (Save A Year) Exam 2026 is the supplementary examination conducted by Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan for students who scored below D+ grade in up to three subjects in the regular SSLC main exam. The Kerala SSLC SAY exam 2026 was held from June 9 to June 19, 2026, and the result is expected to be declared in July 2026 on the official portal sslcexam.kerala.gov.in. This exam gives eligible students a second chance to clear the subjects they failed without having to repeat Class 10 entirely.
The Kerala SSLC main exam 2026 was declared on May 15, 2026, recording an overall pass percentage of 99.07% among approximately 4.17 lakh students who appeared. Students who did not achieve D+ grade — the minimum passing grade in Kerala’s nine-point grading system — in one, two, or three subjects became eligible to register for the SAY exam. Passing the SAY exam allows students to be declared fully eligible for higher studies, with their mark sheet updated to reflect the SAY pass status.
The SAY acronym — Save A Year — captures the exam’s purpose. Rather than repeating the full academic year, students appear only for the failed subjects in the supplementary window, saving time and academic momentum. Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan conducts the SAY exam every year, typically in June, a few weeks after the main SSLC result is declared.
- Students who score below D+ grade (below 30%) in up to three SSLC subjects are eligible for the SAY exam.
- The Kerala SSLC SAY Exam 2026 was conducted from June 9 to June 19, 2026 across official exam centres.
- The SAY exam result 2026 is expected in July 2026 and will be available at sslcexam.kerala.gov.in.
- The application fee for the SAY exam is ₹100 per subject, submitted through the school.
- A minimum D+ grade (30% marks) in every subject is required to be declared eligible for higher studies.
- Students who fail the SAY exam can appear in subsequent years’ SSLC main examination as private students.
Kerala SSLC SAY Exam 2026
Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan (KBPE) conducted the SSLC main examination in February–March 2026, with the result declared on May 15, 2026. The 2026 result recorded a pass percentage of 99.07%, with girls recording 99.22% and boys 98.93% pass rates. Out of approximately 4.17 lakh students, around 4.14 lakh qualified. Students who failed in one to three subjects were eligible to register for the SAY Exam 2026, which was subsequently held from June 9 to June 19, 2026. Revaluation results for the main exam were declared on June 11, 2026, with any updated grades factoring into SAY eligibility. As of June 18, 2026, the SAY exam has concluded and students are awaiting the result declaration expected in July 2026.
- Kerala SSLC SAY Exam Datesheet 2026
- Kerala SSLC SAY Admit Card 2026
- Kerala SSLC SAY Exam Syllabus
- Kerala SSLC SAY Exam Pattern 2026
- Previous Year Question Papers with Solutions
- Kerala SSLC SAY Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026
- Kerala SSLC SAY Exam Fee Structure
- Kerala SSLC Passing Marks Criteria 2026
- Kerala SSLC Grading System
- Kerala SSLC SAY Exam FAQs
Kerala SSLC SAY Exam Datesheet 2026
The Kerala SSLC SAY exam 2026 was held from June 9 to June 19, 2026. Students appeared only for the specific subjects in which they received below D+ grade in the main SSLC examination — they do not re-sit subjects already cleared. The full lifecycle of the 2026 SAY cycle — from main exam result to awaited SAY result — is listed below. Upcoming events appear first, followed by completed events in chronological order.
| Event | Date / Period | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Kerala SSLC SAY Result 2026 | Expected July 2026 | (Awaited) |
| Kerala SSLC Main Examination | February – March 2026 | (Over) |
| Kerala SSLC Main Result Declaration | May 15, 2026 | (Declared) |
| SAY Exam Application / Registration | May 16 – May 31, 2026 (approx.) | (Closed) |
| SAY Admit Card Release | June 4, 2026 | (Released) |
| Kerala SSLC SAY Examination | June 9 – June 19, 2026 | (Over) |
Note: The SAY exam session begins at 9:45 AM with question paper distribution. Students receive 15 minutes of reading time before the writing session commences at 10:00 AM. Each paper is 3 hours 15 minutes in total duration. Students must carry their admit card and a valid photo ID to the exam centre.
Kerala SSLC SAY Admit Card 2026
The Kerala SSLC SAY Admit Card 2026 was released on June 4, 2026, on the official portal sslcexam.kerala.gov.in. SAY admit cards are not directly downloadable by students — school authorities access the portal and distribute printed copies to eligible students. Since the SAY exam has now concluded (June 9–19, 2026), the 2026 admit card is no longer active for exam use. For future reference, the admit card download link for upcoming years will be activated on the official portal as soon as the next SAY cycle begins.
- Regular Students: Receive the admit card directly from their school. School authorities download the hall ticket from sslcexam.kerala.gov.in using the school’s login credentials and distribute printed copies to each eligible student.
- Private / Ex-student Candidates: Must collect the admit card from the school where they originally studied or from the designated district examination office. Direct downloads from the portal are restricted to school authorities.
Where are Kerala SSLC SAY exams held?
The Kerala SSLC SAY exams are conducted at government-approved examination centres — the same network of centres used for the regular SSLC examination. Centres are allocated by Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan and distributed across all 14 districts of Kerala. Your admit card specifies your exact exam centre name and address. Students must report to their allotted centre at least 30 minutes before the exam and are not permitted to change centres on their own. All exam centres operate under CCTV surveillance and adhere to malpractice-prevention measures mandated by Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan.
Kerala SSLC SAY Exam Syllabus
The syllabus for the Kerala SSLC SAY exam is identical to the syllabus for the regular SSLC examination. There is no abridged or reduced syllabus for the SAY exam — students must prepare the complete subject syllabus for every failed subject they appear in. The Kerala SSLC syllabus follows the SCERT (State Council of Educational Research and Training) Kerala curriculum. Students can access subject-wise syllabus documents and study materials from the official Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan portal.
The following subjects are covered under the Kerala SSLC examination. SAY exam students appear only in the subjects where they scored below D+ grade in the regular examination:
| Kerala SSLC Subject | Syllabus / Resources |
|---|---|
| First Language (Malayalam / Tamil / Kannada / Arabic / Sanskrit / Urdu / Hindi) | Check Official Website |
| Second Language (Hindi / Sanskrit / Arabic / Urdu / French) | Check Official Website |
| English (Third Language) | Check Official Website |
| Mathematics | Check Official Website |
| Physics | Check Official Website |
| Chemistry | Check Official Website |
| Biology | Check Official Website |
| Social Science (History & Politics / Geography & Economics) | Check Official Website |
| Information Technology (IT) | Check Official Website |
Note: SAY exam students appear only in the subject(s) in which they scored below D+ grade in the regular SSLC examination. They do not re-appear for subjects already cleared in the main exam.
Kerala SSLC SAY Exam Pattern 2026
The Kerala SSLC SAY exam follows the exact same paper pattern as the regular SSLC examination conducted by Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan. The exam is held in offline (pen and paper) mode, and each subject paper carries 100 marks with a total duration of 3 hours 15 minutes — including 15 minutes of reading time before writing commences. Question types include objective (MCQ), short answer, and long answer questions. There is no negative marking in the Kerala SSLC examination.
| Subject | Theory Marks | Internal / Practical Assessment | Total Marks | Types of Questions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 80 | 20 (Internal) | 100 | Objective, Short Answer, Long Answer |
| Physics | 60 | 40 (Practical + Internal) | 100 | Objective, Short Answer, Long Answer, Practical |
| Chemistry | 60 | 40 (Practical + Internal) | 100 | Objective, Short Answer, Long Answer, Practical |
| Biology | 60 | 40 (Practical + Internal) | 100 | Objective, Short Answer, Long Answer, Practical |
| Social Science | 80 | 20 (Internal) | 100 | Objective, Short Answer, Long Answer, Map Work |
| English | 80 | 20 (Internal / Oral) | 100 | Reading, Writing, Grammar, Literature |
| First Language | 80 | 20 (Internal / Oral) | 100 | Reading, Writing, Grammar, Literature |
| Second Language (Hindi) | 80 | 20 (Internal / Oral) | 100 | Reading, Writing, Grammar, Literature |
| Information Technology (IT) | 40 | 60 (Project + Internal) | 100 | Objective, Short Answer, Practical-based |
Kerala SSLC SAY Exam 2026 Highlights
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Kerala SSLC SAY (Save A Year) Examination 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan (KBPE) |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen and Paper) |
| Duration per Paper | 3 Hours 15 Minutes (includes 15 minutes reading time) |
| Total Marks per Subject | 100 Marks |
| Minimum Passing Grade | D+ (minimum 30% marks in each subject) |
| Negative Marking | None |
| Maximum Subjects Allowed in SAY | Up to 3 failed subjects |
| Official Website | sslcexam.kerala.gov.in |
Previous Year Question Papers with Solutions PDF
Practising previous year question papers is one of the most effective preparation strategies for the Kerala SSLC SAY exam. The SAY exam uses the same question paper format, difficulty level, and question types as the regular SSLC main examination — making past SSLC main papers the most relevant practice resource available. Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan makes previous year question papers available on its official portal. Students can also access subject-wise model answer keys prepared by SCERT Kerala.
| Question Paper | Available At |
|---|---|
| Kerala SSLC Previous Year Question Papers (All Subjects) | sslcexam.kerala.gov.in |
| Kerala SSLC Mathematics – Previous Year Papers | sslcexam.kerala.gov.in |
| Kerala SSLC Science (Physics / Chemistry / Biology) – Previous Year Papers | sslcexam.kerala.gov.in |
| Kerala SSLC Social Science – Previous Year Papers | sslcexam.kerala.gov.in |
| Kerala SSLC English – Previous Year Papers | sslcexam.kerala.gov.in |
Note: SAY exam papers follow the same format as the main SSLC question papers. Practising the last three to five years of main SSLC question papers is the most effective preparation strategy for the SAY exam.
Kerala SSLC SAY Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026
The Kerala SSLC SAY exam is open to students who appeared in the regular SSLC examination conducted by Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan and did not achieve the minimum D+ grade in one, two, or three subjects. Students who fail in more than three subjects are not eligible for the SAY exam and must re-appear in the following year’s regular SSLC examination as private candidates.
Eligibility is determined based on the grade awarded in the SSLC main result, or where applicable, the revaluation result. Students who achieve D+ or above in all subjects after revaluation are no longer eligible for SAY, as they have cleared the examination. There is no upper age limit for appearing in the Kerala SSLC SAY examination.
| Criteria | Details | Key Insights |
|---|---|---|
| Appeared in SSLC Main Exam | Must have appeared in the Kerala SSLC main examination in the same year. | Students who were absent from the main exam are not eligible for SAY in that cycle. |
| Number of Failed Subjects | Scored below D+ grade (below 30%) in 1 to 3 subjects. | Students failing in 4 or more subjects must re-appear in the next year’s full SSLC examination. |
| Minimum Passing Grade | D+ grade (30–39% marks) in each subject. | Securing D+ in all subjects is the condition to be declared "Eligible for Higher Studies." |
| Candidate Type | Both regular school students and private candidates are eligible. | Private candidates who failed 1–3 subjects in a previous year’s SSLC can also apply for SAY. |
| Age Limit | No upper age limit. | Students of any age who meet the subject-failure criterion can apply for the SAY exam. |
| Attempt Limit | No strict cap on the total number of SSLC attempts. | Students can appear in subsequent years’ main exams as private candidates until all subjects are cleared. |
What is the rule of the SAY exam in Kerala SSLC?
- Regular Students: Students who appeared as regular Class 10 school students and scored below D+ in one to three subjects are eligible for the SAY exam. After passing SAY, they are issued a revised mark sheet showing the SAY pass status and become eligible for Plus One (Class 11) admissions.
- Private / Ex-Students: Students who appeared in a previous year’s SSLC exam and failed in one to three subjects can apply for the SAY exam in any subsequent year. They must register through their original school or the district examination office.
- Absent Students: Students who were absent from the main SSLC examination in a given year are not eligible for the SAY exam in that cycle. They must appear in the full examination in the next cycle as private candidates.
How many chances are given in the Kerala SSLC SAY exam?
Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan does not impose a formal cap on the total number of SSLC exam attempts. Students who fail the SAY exam can re-appear in the subsequent year’s regular SSLC main examination as private candidates, and if they again fail 1–3 subjects, they can attempt that year’s SAY exam as well. This creates an annual two-window system — the June SAY exam and the February–March main exam — giving students recurring opportunities to clear their backlogs over successive academic years. However, every delayed clearance postpones higher secondary (Plus One) admission, making timely clearance strongly advisable.
Kerala SSLC SAY Exam: Attempt Opportunities
| Attempt | Tentative Schedule | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SAY Exam (Supplementary Opportunity) | June 2026 | Conducted by KBPE approximately 3–4 weeks after main SSLC result. Only for students who failed in 1–3 subjects. |
| Regular SSLC Exam (as Private Candidate) | February – March 2027 | Students who fail the SAY exam can appear in the next year’s full SSLC examination as private candidates. |
| Subsequent SAY Exam Opportunities | June 2027 and beyond | If a student appears in the March 2027 main exam and still fails 1–3 subjects, they can attempt the June 2027 SAY exam. The annual cycle repeats until all subjects are cleared. |
Kerala SSLC SAY Exam Fee Structure
The Kerala SSLC SAY exam application fee is kept minimal, reflecting Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan’s intent to make the supplementary examination accessible to all eligible students. The fee is ₹100 per subject, payable at the time of SAY application, processed through the student’s school. There is no separate fee for the practical component of a subject — the single per-subject fee covers the full assessment for that subject, including any internal or practical element.
| Candidate Category | Fee per Subject | Late Fee (Additional) |
|---|---|---|
| Regular School Students (Kerala) | ₹100 | As notified by KBPE (if applicable) |
| Private / Ex-student Candidates | ₹100 | As notified by KBPE (if applicable) |
| Maximum (3 Subjects) | ₹300 (₹100 × 3 subjects) | As notified by KBPE (if applicable) |
Note: Fee amounts are based on KBPE notifications for 2026. Check the official portal sslcexam.kerala.gov.in for any revisions applicable to subsequent years.
Kerala SSLC Passing Marks Criteria 2026
Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan uses a grade-based system for SSLC results. Students are not required to secure an aggregate percentage; instead, they must secure the minimum D+ grade in each individual subject. D+ grade corresponds to 30–39% marks in a subject, making 30% the effective minimum passing threshold per subject in the Kerala SSLC examination. Students who secure D+ or above in all subjects are declared "Eligible for Higher Studies" — Kerala’s formal pass declaration.
| Subject | Theory Marks | Internal / Practical Marks | Min. Passing (Theory) | Min. Passing (Internal / Practical) | Total Min. Passing Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 80 | 20 | 24 | 6 | 30 |
| Social Science | 80 | 20 | 24 | 6 | 30 |
| English | 80 | 20 | 24 | 6 | 30 |
| First Language | 80 | 20 | 24 | 6 | 30 |
| Second Language (Hindi) | 80 | 20 | 24 | 6 | 30 |
| Physics | 60 | 40 | 18 | 12 | 30 |
| Chemistry | 60 | 40 | 18 | 12 | 30 |
| Biology | 60 | 40 | 18 | 12 | 30 |
Is 24 marks out of 80 a passing score in Kerala SSLC?
Yes. In subjects where the theory paper carries 80 marks, scoring 24 marks means achieving exactly 30% (24 ÷ 80 = 30%), which is the threshold for D+ grade — Kerala’s minimum passing grade. However, the D+ grade is computed on the combined theory plus internal assessment total (typically 100 marks), not on the theory paper alone. A student who scores 24 in the 80-mark theory paper but very low in the 20-mark internal component could still fall below D+ overall. You should aim to secure comfortably above 30% in both components to ensure a clear D+ grade.
Kerala SSLC Passing Marks Reference
| Component / Total Marks | 30% Minimum Passing Marks | Grade Awarded at Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Full subject (100 marks) | 30 marks | D+ |
| Theory component (80 marks) | 24 marks | D+ (subject to combined total ≥ 30%) |
| Theory component – Science subjects (60 marks) | 18 marks | D+ (subject to combined total ≥ 30%) |
| Theory component – IT (40 marks) | 12 marks | D+ (subject to combined total ≥ 30%) |
Kerala SSLC Grading System
Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan follows a nine-point grading scale for SSLC results, assigning grades based on the percentage of marks a student scores in each subject. The minimum passing grade is D+ (30–39%), and students scoring below this grade in any subject are classified as having failed that subject, making them eligible for the SAY exam if they fail in 1–3 subjects total. Grades D and E both denote failure — students in these bands cannot proceed to Plus One (Class 11) without first clearing the SAY exam or a subsequent SSLC attempt.
| Grade | Marks Range (%) | Grade Point | Performance Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 90 – 100 | 9 | Outstanding |
| A | 80 – 89 | 8 | Excellent |
| B+ | 70 – 79 | 7 | Very Good |
| B | 60 – 69 | 6 | Good |
| C+ | 50 – 59 | 5 | Above Average |
| C | 40 – 49 | 4 | Average |
| D+ | 30 – 39 | 3 | Pass (Minimum Qualifying Grade) |
| D | 20 – 29 | 2 | Fail (SAY Exam Eligible if 1–3 subjects) |
| E | 0 – 19 | 1 | Fail (SAY Exam Eligible if 1–3 subjects) |
Note: Students scoring D or E in more than three subjects are not eligible for the SAY exam and must re-appear in the next regular SSLC cycle as private candidates.
Kerala SSLC SAY Exam FAQs
Ques. What is the Kerala SSLC SAY exam?
Ans. The Kerala SSLC SAY (Save A Year) exam is the supplementary examination conducted by Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan (KBPE) for Class 10 students who scored below the minimum D+ grade in one, two, or three subjects in the regular SSLC main examination. It gives eligible students a second chance to clear their failed subjects without repeating the full academic year.
Ques. When was the Kerala SSLC SAY Exam 2026 held?
Ans. The Kerala SSLC SAY Exam 2026 was held from June 9 to June 19, 2026. The exam followed the regular SSLC main result declaration on May 15, 2026. The SAY result for 2026 is expected to be declared in July 2026 on the official portal sslcexam.kerala.gov.in.
Ques. Who is eligible for the Kerala SSLC SAY exam?
Ans. Students who appeared in the regular Kerala SSLC examination and scored below D+ grade (below 30%) in one, two, or three subjects are eligible for the SAY exam. Students who failed in four or more subjects are not eligible for SAY and must re-appear in the next year’s full SSLC examination as private candidates.
Ques. What is the passing grade in the Kerala SSLC SAY exam?
Ans. The minimum passing grade in the Kerala SSLC SAY exam is D+ grade, corresponding to 30–39% marks in a subject. Students who secure D+ or above in all subjects — including those cleared through SAY — are declared "Eligible for Higher Studies" by Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan.
Ques. What is the fee for the Kerala SSLC SAY exam?
Ans. The fee for the Kerala SSLC SAY exam is ₹100 per subject. Students appearing in three failed subjects pay a total of ₹300. The fee is paid at the time of SAY application, which is processed through the student’s school authority. There is no separate practical fee — the per-subject fee covers all components of that subject’s assessment.
Ques. How can I download the Kerala SSLC SAY admit card?
Ans. The Kerala SSLC SAY admit card (hall ticket) is not directly downloadable by students. School authorities log into the official portal sslcexam.kerala.gov.in using their institutional credentials, download the admit cards, and distribute printed copies to eligible students. Private candidates must collect their admit cards from the district examination office or their former school.
Ques. What happens if I fail the Kerala SSLC SAY exam?
Ans. If you fail the SAY exam, you must re-appear in the next year’s regular Kerala SSLC main examination as a private candidate. You will need to apply fresh through Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan’s private registration process. After clearing the subsequent main exam (or that year’s SAY), you will receive the pass certificate and become eligible for Plus One admission.
There is no formal limit on the number of times you can attempt the SSLC examination, but each failed SAY exam delays your Plus One (Class 11) admission by a full year.
Ques. Is the Kerala SSLC SAY exam syllabus different from the main exam?
Ans. No. The syllabus for the Kerala SSLC SAY exam is identical to the regular SSLC main examination syllabus. There is no abridged or reduced syllabus. Students must prepare the complete SCERT Kerala curriculum for each subject they appear in during the SAY exam.
Ques. When will the Kerala SSLC SAY result 2026 be declared?
Ans. The Kerala SSLC SAY result 2026 is expected to be declared in July 2026 on the official portal sslcexam.kerala.gov.in. Results will also be accessible on the Kerala government results portal. Students will be able to check their subject-wise grades and overall eligibility status online once the result is out.
Ques. Does passing the SAY exam affect my SSLC certificate or mark sheet?
Ans. Yes. Students who pass the SAY exam receive a revised mark sheet from Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan reflecting the grades achieved in the SAY sitting for the previously failed subjects. With all subjects cleared, they are declared "Eligible for Higher Studies" and can apply for Plus One (Class 11) admissions through the Kerala Higher Secondary admission process. Note that SAY passers typically have a separate, later admission schedule compared to regular SSLC passers.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is sourced from official notifications of Kerala Pareeksha Bhavan (KBPE) and reliable educational sources as of June 2026. Dates, fees, and procedures may change per subsequent official announcements. Students are advised to verify all details at the official portal sslcexam.kerala.gov.in before taking any action.
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