The Karnataka Governor’s Office has directed the state administration to study concerns raised over the government’s move to introduce a grading system for third language subjects in the State Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examinations.
The move came after the Society for the Preservation of Local Languages in Bengaluru submitted a report questioning the academic and systemic consequences of the decision. The Governor’s Office has referred the concerns to Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh.
According to the communication, the governor requested a comprehensive review that takes into account the academic and administrative dimensions of the policy. “The governor took note of the issues raised in the representation and wanted the matter to be studied comprehensively, taking into account its academic and administrative aspects in the education sector,” the statement said.
Officials have been instructed to consult the Department of School Education and other authorities and “take such action as it deems appropriate in the larger interest of the students and the educational objectives of the state.”
Concerns come from the perceived impact of change on the third language learning situation. The representative considered that these topics play a role in promoting linguistic diversity and intellectual development, and warned that removing grades may reduce students’ motivation and weaken their participation.
The policy shift was introduced during the ongoing SSLC vetting process, surprising many and sparking criticism over its timing. The move was also seen in political circles as an “anti-India” move, even as the government maintained that the intention was to ease academic pressure on students.
School Education and Literacy Minister S Madhu Bangarappa said the SSLC examination earlier covered six subjects totaling 625 marks, including 100 marks for the third language. Under the revised system, the total was reduced to 525 marks in five subjects, with the third language assessed by grades and excluded from pass or fail criteria. He said the subject would continue to be taught and examined.
The minister said that the decision was made based on performance trends. In the 2024-2025 academic year, out of 164,000 students who failed the SSLC examination, 146,000 failed the third language paper. He said this indicated widespread difficulty with the subject and justified the shift to grades as a measure to protect students’ interests.
The change applies to a range of third languages, including Hindi, Kannada, English, Arabic, Urdu, Sanskrit, Konkani, Tulu and Marathi. Data for the current academic year shows that a vast majority of students – 7,52,398 out of 8,07,962 – chose Hindi as their third language.
The move has also fueled a broader debate about language policy in the state. Kannada organizations had earlier threatened to hold protests, arguing that the Hindi language was imposed and was affecting the prospects of students.
The Kannada Development Authority and the State Education Policy Committee have recommended moving towards a bilingual system.
Some view the current change as a step in this direction. After the committee submitted its report in 2025, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed support for a bilingual formula, although it has not yet been implemented.
At the same time, opposition leaders criticized this policy. BJP leaders, including Opposition Leader R Ashoka, opposed the decision and said they would restore the previous regime if they returned to power. Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje also described the move as “anti-India”.
