Karnataka PUC (Class 11–12 / I & II PUC): Streams, Subjects & Exams

The Karnataka Pre-University Certificate (PUC) is the two-year Class 11–12 programme run through pre-university colleges under the Department of Pre-University Education (DPUE), with examinations now conducted by KSEAB. I PUC (Class 11) is an internal year — KSEAB does not conduct a public I PUC board examination, so admission selection and stream choice matter most at this stage. II PUC (Class 12) is the public board exam that decides university eligibility and KCET/NEET/JEE pathways.

KSEAB was formed in 2022 by merging the old KSEEB (which ran SSLC) with the DPUE examination wing (which ran PUC). Some files and deep links still sit on legacy domains (dpue-exam.karnataka.gov.in, pue.karnataka.gov.in) — this is expected and is not a sign of outdated information. The II PUC exam covers three main streams: Science (PCM, PCMB, PCB-group combinations), Commerce, and Arts. Over 6.5 lakh candidates appear for II PUC each year.

PUC at a glance (2025–26 cycle)

ItemDetail
Conducting bodyKSEAB (exams) + DPUE (colleges/admissions)
I PUCClass 11 — internal year; no public board exam; stream/subject choice locks in here
II PUCClass 12 — public board exam; results affect KCET / NEET / JEE eligibility
StreamsScience (with variations: PCM, PCMB, PCB etc.), Commerce, Arts
Main exam (Exam 1)February–March (2026: 28 Feb – 17 Mar)
Exam 1 resultEarly April (2026: 9 Apr)
Exam 2April–May (2026: Exam 2 began 30 Apr; ended 13 May)
Exam 3June (2026: approx. Jun 9–21 or Jun 22–30 — conflicting sources; confirm on official portal)
Hall ticket (PUC)Released Jan–Feb before Exam 1 on KSEAB and pue.karnataka.gov.in
Results portalkarresults.nic.in
Scanned copy fee (2026)₹530 per subject — verify current cycle on official portal
Revaluation fee (2026)₹1,670 per subject — verify current cycle on official portal

Dates and fees are from the 2025–26 cycle and change every year. Confirm the latest on the official KSEAB and DPUE portals.

I PUC to II PUC — key milestones

  1. I PUC admission (May–Jul): Choose your stream carefully — I PUC admission happens after SSLC results. Your stream (Science / Commerce / Arts) and subject combination here determine your II PUC path, KCET eligibility, and NEET/JEE readiness. Change later is difficult.
  2. I PUC year: Internal assessments and practicals — I PUC internal assessments, practicals, and progress tests run through the year. Though there is no public board exam, college-level performance still matters for II PUC eligibility.
  3. Nov–Jan: II PUC model papers, blueprint, and question bank — KSEAB releases II PUC model question papers and the question bank around November. Use the blueprint for each subject to focus on high-mark chapters.
  4. Jan–Feb: Hall ticket and timetable — II PUC hall tickets are released January–February on the KSEAB portal and pue.karnataka.gov.in. The final timetable is usually out by December.
  5. Feb–Mar: II PUC Exam 1 — The main II PUC exam runs February–March. KSEAB releases key answers soon after each paper with an objection window.
  6. Apr: Result, revaluation, Exam 2 planning — II PUC Exam 1 results are typically in early April. Apply for scanned copy, retotalling, or revaluation within the window. Exam 2 begins in late April for eligible students.

KSEAB is the merged board — files live across two domains: KSEAB was formed in 2022 from KSEEB (SSLC) and the PUE examination wing. SSLC files often still sit on kseeb.karnataka.gov.in; PUC files on dpue-exam.karnataka.gov.in and pue.karnataka.gov.in. This is normal — both legacy domains remain active. When a link seems broken, try the KSEAB main site student corner. Confirm all dates and fees on the official portal.

Free Karnataka Board exam-help guides