Karnataka HC Upholds Marks System for Class 10 Hindi, Pulls Up Congress Govt

The High Court bench, headed by Justice E.S. Indiresh, quashed and disposed of the government's petition seeking a review of the High Court order on awarding marks for the SSLC. It is noted that the State challenged the correctness of the earlier order in this regard by filing a review petition.

Notably, the State had also challenged the correctness of a remark in the April 15 ruling that "any subsequent modification" to the rules would violate Article 14 of the Constitution of India.​

The High Court also directed that marks be awarded for SSLC Hindi in the 2025-26 academic year and clarified that this order would apply to all third-language subjects in the SSLC examination.​

The bench further remarked that nearly 83 per cent of students are currently passing Pre-University Course (Class 12) examinations. It added that if the intention is to pass everyone, the examination might as well be cancelled altogether. The court noted that while the government is free to take appropriate steps after framing the rules, it is improper to change the evaluation system before such rules are formulated.​

The court questioned how a grading system could be implemented when it was not part of the original notification.

​Advocate General K. Shashi Kiran Shetty submitted before the court that a public interest litigation had already been dismissed by a division bench of the High Court. He contended that grades were being awarded instead of marks, and that the government was drafting rules with appropriate amendments to reduce stress on students.​

It was pointed out that more than 1 lakh students had failed in Class 10 Hindi, prompting the government to consider measures to ease the burden on students. The government is preparing a blueprint for amendments in this regard.​

However, the High Court bench, headed by Justice E.S. Indiresh, questioned the government, observing that the issue should have been clarified at the time the SSLC examination notification was issued.​

The court further stated that once rules are framed, the government may take appropriate action. However, replacing the marking system with grades before framing such rules is not appropriate. It reiterated that marks should be awarded for the Hindi subject for the 2025-26 academic year.​

The writ petition was filed by three students, including Sahana R. Nayak from Chikkamagaluru. They argued that marks in Hindi are considered in central competitive examinations and that awarding grades instead of marks could create difficulties in the future. Hence, they sought guidance on awarding marks rather than grades.​

Commenting on the development, Minister for Education Madhu Bangarappa said that the High Court had earlier rejected the public interest litigation by students and upheld the government's decision. When this was challenged by a student, the court stated that the grading system cannot be implemented this year and that from next year, the government can take an appropriate decision. For this year, the court has asked the government to stick to the marking system.​

He added that the matter would be discussed with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the evening after his return from Mysuru, following which a decision would be taken. In his view, it would have been better to implement the grading system this year. He further assured students that there would be no delay in announcing the results.​

He stated that the court has given time till Wednesday evening and that, after discussions with the Chief Minister, the government will announce its decision. He added that there will be no delay in terms of technical issues and that students will be fully satisfied with the process of announcing the results.​

It may be recalled that the Congress-led government's decision not to make Hindi and other third languages compulsory for Class 10 students to pass had taken a political turn, with the Bharatiya Janata Party vehemently opposing the move.​

- IANS