CBSE students in Karnataka allege KCET rank denial after revaluation

Bengaluru: A jump in Class 12 marks after revaluation should have meant a better Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET) rank—yet several Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) students in Karnataka have allegedly been left stranded as the state examination authority has refused to update their rankings.

KCET is the Karnataka-level exam for admission to undergraduate professional courses such as engineering, pharmacy, agriculture and veterinary science. The KCET ranks are determined using a 50:50 formula—half the weightage is based on KCET marks (out of 180), and the other half is based on the Class 12 marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (out of 300).

Following revaluation—after the CBSE's On-Screen Marking controversy, more than 1.6 lakh students had applied for revaluation—several students who scored higher approached the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) seeking revised ranks, only to be allegedly ignored.

One 17-year-old from west Bengaluru scored 569 out of 600 in his Class 12 exam, which gave him a KCET ranking around 2,200. When the CBSE declared his revised results, his marks rose to 575. Based on the new marks, he expected a revised ranking in the 1,600 range. However, when he checked online before the first round of KCET counselling began, his rank remained unchanged. His father said, 'They (KEA officials) called it spot ranking. As the ranking was already announced, they said that they were trying to accommodate students with revised marks.' But the rank was never updated.

A Class 12 student from south Bengaluru faced a similar situation. He secured 418 marks initially, which improved to 435 after revaluation. His KCET rank was around 27,000. He visited KEA repeatedly since June 24, first being told to submit a letter with both mark sheets. But his rank did not change. On June 29, officials said they might not consider revised marks, and later categorically refused. He said, 'If they had considered, my rank would be better, at least by 2,000.'

KEA Executive Director H Prasanna said that updating ranks post-revaluation is not permitted as the counselling process is underway. When asked about a student who was allotted a fresh rank after submitting a new marksheet, Prasanna said he would look into the matter.

Students expressed frustration. One asked, 'First, the CBSE blunder. Now, instead of supporting and helping us, the KEA has denied justice. I would have had more college options. Is this not injustice?' Some parents are now considering approaching the court.

Here is a timeline of events: CBSE Class 12 exams from February 17 to April 10; KCET on April 23-24; CBSE results on May 13, sparking controversy; KCET results on June 6; CBSE revaluation results released in late June; KCET counselling registration from June 20.