On 22 March 2024, the division bench of the Karnataka High Court granted permission to the state government to hold board exams for classes 5, 8, and 9 according to the state syllabus. This decision overturned the single bench order that invalidated the government’s directive to conduct the examinations. The High Court directed the state government to resume the examination process from the point where it was interrupted. Meanwhile, during the period of litigation, board exams for Class 11 already concluded.
The High Court additionally mandated that the state government engage in consultations with all stakeholders before conducting board examinations in the future. Nevertheless, the Registered Unaided Private Schools Association (RUPSA) has opted to approach the Supreme Court, contesting the division bench order issued by the High Court.
The issue emerged when the Karnataka government issued two notifications on October 6 and October 9, 2023, appointing the KSEAB (Karnataka School Examination & Assessment Board) to conduct the “Summative Assessment-2” exams. Following this, private school management associations challenged this decision in the High Court. They argued that according to RTE regulations, continuous and comprehensive evaluation for students in grades 5, 8, and 9 should be conducted at the school level rather than through board exams.
