In a significant move to enhance transparency and address evaluation concerns, the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) has introduced a mandatory web-streaming protocol for the Second Year Pre-University (II PU) practical examinations. This directive comes against the backdrop of observed inconsistencies where some students secured full marks in practicals but failed to score even passing grades in the corresponding theory papers.
The Rationale Behind the New Directive
The board's decision, announced on January 1, 2026, stems from an analysis of past results that revealed a worrying pattern. KSEAB identified cases of students achieving perfect or near-perfect scores in their practical assessments while performing dismally in the written theory exams for the same subjects. This stark discrepancy raised red flags about the consistency and rigor of the practical examination process conducted across various colleges and examination centers.
To tackle this issue head-on, the board has instructed all examination centers to arrange for the live webcasting of the practical exams. This measure is designed to ensure that the conduct of the practicals is monitored and adheres to a standardized protocol, thereby minimizing potential malpractice or lax assessment at the center level.
Implementation of the Web-Streaming Mandate
The new rule mandates that every center facilitating the II PU practical exams must set up the necessary infrastructure to broadcast the proceedings live over the internet. This will allow for remote supervision by board officials and create a digital record of the examination. The move is expected to bring about several key changes:
- Increased Accountability: Examiners and college staff will be under direct scrutiny, promoting fairer conduct.
- Standardized Assessment: Live monitoring can help ensure all students are evaluated based on a uniform set of criteria.
- Deterrent to Malpractice: The presence of live streaming acts as a strong deterrent against any attempts to manipulate scores or help students unfairly during the practicals.
Expected Outcomes and Broader Impact
This proactive step by the Karnataka board is aimed at restoring and strengthening the credibility of the pre-university examination system. By closing the loophole that allowed for disproportionate practical scores, the board intends to ensure that a student's final result is a more accurate and holistic reflection of their understanding and capabilities in a subject.
The directive, which is effective immediately, places the onus on colleges to upgrade their technical facilities to comply with the web-streaming requirement. While this may pose an initial logistical challenge, it is viewed as a necessary evolution towards a more transparent and robust evaluation framework. The ultimate goal is to create a level playing field for all II PU students across Karnataka and uphold the integrity of one of the state's most crucial academic milestones.
