Bengaluru: 2016-17 recorded the lowest pass percentage in five years in the II PUC exam, which dropped from 57.20 % in 2016 to 52.38% in 2017 with results in the arts stream dipping to a historic low. State Education Minister Tanveer Sait, who announced the results on Thursday evening, attributed this fall to stringent evaluation methods adopted by the Pre-University board as a precaution against question paper leaks and other forms of malpractice. Mr. Sait said that out of the 6,79,061 students who appeared for examination, 3,55,697 have passed.
Girls trumped boys once more, recording a higher pass percentage. Rural candidates raced past their urban counterparts, clearing the exam in greater numbers and bagging the top ranks in the Science and Arts streams as well.
The pass percentages of science and commerce students were well above the 60% mark, with the arts stream witnessing the biggest drop. “Arts students have recorded a pass percentage of 35.05, a historic low,” said an officer from the state PU board. Mr. Sait, however, added that most of the arts students are from rural backgrounds, which may be one of the reasons for the decline.
Speaking to reporters, the minister justified the PUC board’s stringent approach, saying, "I don't want to comment about the way in which examinations were being conducted all these years. In 2017, however, we ensured, through the Karnataka Secure Examination System, the total safety of question papers at all levels. There was no room even for minute malpractice. Question papers were so specific that not a single grace mark was given in any subject.”
