Karnataka SSLC Preparatory Exams 2026 Go Online, Rural Schools Face Infrastructure Challenges
The Karnataka Department of School Education and Literacy, in a new educational reform for the 2025-26 academic year, has decided to conduct the SSLC (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) preparatory examinations online rather than distribute printed question papers to every school.
This significant change was introduced as a cost-saving and efficiency measure, aiming to reduce printing and distribution expenses and modernize the examination process.
What the Policy Says
Under the new procedure, question papers for the SSLC preparatory exams are uploaded digitally on the official portal on the day of the exam. Only headmasters or principals of schools are given access to this portal by using their registered login credentials and a one-time password (OTP) sent to their mobile phones.
Once the paper is downloaded, schools are expected to print the necessary number of question papers locally and distribute them to students right before the exam begins.
This system was first put into practice when the preparatory exams began on January 5, 2026, consistent with the timetable released by the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB). Preparatory exam-1 is scheduled from January 5 to January 10, 2026, and further rounds will follow later as part of the academic calendar.
Why the Department Made the Change
According to education officials, the digital upload system is designed to:
- Lower the cost of printing and physical distribution of question papers.
- Minimize the risk of leaks or unauthorized disclosure of exam questions.
- Support quicker and more reliable access to exam papers across the states schools.
The online transition also reflects broader efforts in the education sector to adopt digital education practices and streamline administrative processes.
Visit Official Websites for InformationÂ
For accurate and updated information, the official websites of the relevant authorities are:
 Department of School Education and Literacy, Government of Karnataka
Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) – SSLC board and prep exam details:
Challenges Faced by Rural Schools
Despite the positive intentions, many rural government schools have expressed serious concerns about the practical challenges of this online approach:
Lack of Printers and Photocopying Facilities: Several schools in remote areas do not have printers or photocopiers on campus. In many cases, teachers have had to travel to nearby towns early in the morning just to print exam papers before class time starts.Â
Poor Internet Connectivity: With inconsistent internet access in rural regions, downloading question papers on time has become difficult for some schools, forcing educators to spend extra time and effort.Â
Additional Workload for Teachers: Teachers have reported that the task of downloading and printing large numbers of exam papers adds stress to their regular duties. They also worry about securely deleting the digital file after printing to prevent leaks.
Because of these issues, many rural teachers and school heads feel that the policy should have been implemented only after ensuring that all schools have access to basic printing infrastructure or made provisions for printed question papers where required.Â
Reactions from Educators
The reactions from teaching staff across Karnataka have been mixed:
- Urban and well-resourced schools generally appreciate the digital system, saying it lowers costs and simplifies distribution.Â
- Rural and under-resourced teachers argue that the policy did not take their challenges into account and that missing equipment undermines equity in education.
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Conclusion: The introduction of online SSLC preparatory exams by the Karnataka School Education Department marks a significant step toward digital transformation in state education.
While the policy aims to modernize exam logistics and save costs, its implementation has revealed the digital divide between urban and rural schools. To ensure fairness and effectiveness, it will be essential for the state government to address infrastructure gaps and provide additional support or alternatives for schools that lack necessary technology.
Only with such measures can the transition to online exams benefit all students equally.
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