SSLC Exam Fee Hike 2025-26: Karnataka Board Revises Examination Fees for Students
In a significant update for Class 10 students across Karnataka, the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) has officially revised and increased the SSLC examination fees for the academic year 2025-26.
This move, although expected as part of the annual review process, has drawn mixed reactions from parents and students who feel the added cost comes at a time when living expenses are already high.
This article covers everything you need to know about the SSLC exam fee hike, including the new rates, comparison with last year’s structure, fee details for private and repeat students, and public response.
📘 What Is SSLC and Why Is the Fee Important?
The Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examination is one of the most crucial milestones in a student’s academic journey in Karnataka.
Conducted annually by the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board, it serves as the gateway to higher secondary education.
Every year, lakhs of students appear for the SSLC exams, and the process involves registration, verification, and exam management costs — for which students pay a mandatory examination fee.
The recent decision by the KSEAB to increase these fees marks an adjustment that aligns with inflation and administrative expenses, but it has sparked discussions about affordability.
💰 Official Notification: Fee Hike Confirmed by Karnataka SSLC Board
According to the official government notification, the KSEAB has increased the SSLC examination fee by 5% for the 2025-26 academic year.
The regular student exam fee, which was ₹676 in the previous year, has now been revised to ₹710.
Additionally, the registration renewal fee for private candidates has been increased from ₹69 to ₹72.
The revised rates apply to all categories of candidates — regular, private, and repeat students — and will be effective immediately for the upcoming examination cycle.
📊 Comparison: SSLC Exam Fees 2024 vs. 2025
| Candidate Type | 2024 Fee (₹) | 2025 Fee (₹) | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Students | 676 | 710 | +34 |
| Private Candidates | 236 | 248 | +12 |
| Private Renewal Fee | 69 | 72 | +3 |
| Repeat Students (1 Subject) | 427 | 448 | +21 |
| Repeat Students (2 Subjects) | 532 | 559 | +27 |
| Repeat Students (3+ Subjects) | 716 | 752 | +36 |
The table clearly shows a 5% average hike across all categories. This increase is applicable for both private and repeat candidates, as per the circular released by the examination board.
🔍 Why Did the Karnataka Board Increase the Fees?
Officials from the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board stated that the revision was part of a periodic adjustment aimed at covering administrative expenses.
Key factors influencing the fee hike include:
- Rising costs of exam materials, printing, and logistics
- Increased expenditure on digital systems and data management
- Need for better infrastructure at examination centers
- Inflationary trends affecting state education budgets
The board emphasized that the decision was taken after careful consideration to ensure that examination processes continue smoothly without compromising quality or fairness.
👨👩👧 Parents’ Reaction: Financial Pressure on Families
While the board’s reasoning may be administrative, the announcement has drawn criticism from parents and educators.
Many families, particularly from rural areas, feel that the additional exam fee adds financial burden when school admission costs, uniforms, and other educational expenses are already rising.
Some parents argue that government education should remain affordable, especially for economically weaker students.
However, education experts have noted that such fee adjustments are inevitable in sustaining examination operations across thousands of schools statewide.
🧾 How the Fee Hike Affects Private and Repeat Students
The most affected group appears to be private candidates and repeat students.
Private students, who appear for the SSLC exams independently (not through a regular school), will now pay ₹248 instead of ₹236.
Similarly, students retaking one or more subjects will experience fee hikes ranging from ₹21 to ₹36 depending on the number of papers.
Though the increase may seem small, it accumulates significantly for families with multiple school-going children, especially in lower-income communities.
🗓️ When Will the New Fee Structure Take Effect?
The revised SSLC examination fee structure will apply from the 2025-26 academic year onwards.
That means students appearing for the March/April 2026 board exams will be required to pay the new rates during their registration process.
Schools have already been notified, and the online registration portal for SSLC exams has been updated to reflect the revised amounts.
🧮 Breakdown of New SSLC Fee Categories (2025-26)
- Regular Students: ₹710
- Private Candidates: ₹248
- Private Registration Renewal: ₹72
- Repeat Candidates:
- One Subject: ₹448
- Two Subjects: ₹559
- Three or More Subjects: ₹752
The Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board has directed all school heads and examination officers to ensure students are informed about the revised fees and payment deadlines to avoid confusion or late submissions.
🏫 Broader Educational Context in Karnataka
This fee revision comes at a time when the education sector in Karnataka is witnessing several policy changes, including digital learning expansion, teacher training programs, and exam reforms.
The board is also investing in technology to ensure faster and more transparent evaluation processes, which require substantial operational costs.
Education analysts believe that such fee adjustments are part of a long-term strategy to modernize the examination system and maintain quality assurance standards.
💬 Expert View: Is the Fee Hike Justified?
Educational administrators argue that the 5% fee increase is moderate and reasonable, considering the inflation rate and additional costs incurred in running statewide examinations.
However, social activists insist that the government should offer fee concessions or scholarships for students from low-income families.
They suggest the state could introduce fee waivers or rebate schemes through welfare departments to offset the burden on underprivileged students.
Website Link
ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಓದಲು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ಲಿಕ್ ಮಾಡಿ.👇 https://sarkarimahithi.com/sslc-exam-fee-hike/
📢 Final Takeaway
The SSLC Exam Fee Hike 2025-26 is now official, marking a 5% increase across various student categories.
While the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board defends it as a necessary step for administrative efficiency, many parents and students see it as an added financial strain.
As registration for the upcoming exams begins, students and schools are advised to carefully check the new fee structure, pay within deadlines, and stay updated with official notifications from the KSEAB website.
📎 Key Highlights Summary
- SSLC Exam Fee Revised for the year 2025-26
- Fee increased by 5% for all categories
- New regular student fee: ₹710
- Private candidates fee: ₹248
- Repeat student fees: ₹448 – ₹752
- Effective from academic year 2025-26
- Parents express concern over added financial pressure
