Bengaluru (DHNS): Pass percentage in the SSLC exams, the results of which were announced on Friday, has plummeted to a seven-year low.

At 67.87, the percentage of students passing the Karnataka’s Secondary School Leaving Certificate exams is the lowest since 2010, when it was 66.81%.

Last year, the success rate was 75.11%; it is down by 7.24% this time. Of the 8,56,286 candidates who appeared for the exams, 5,81,134 have passed.

SSLC Toppers of the State (from Left) Sumanth Hegde, SSLC Topper, of MES Kishor Kendra High School, MalleshwaraBengaluru, Poornananda H, St. Joachim's High School, Kadaba, Puttur and Pallavi Shirahatti, SRA Composite Junior College, Banahatti. DH Photo

With 625 marks, Sumanth Hegde from MES Kishore Kendra School, Bengaluru, Poornananda H from St Joachim’s High School, Puttur, and Pallavi Shirahatti from SRA Composite Junior College, Bagalkot, scored 100%. Six students scored just one mark less.

Udupi district stands first, with a pass percentage of 84.23%. However, this is lower than the 89.72% success it enjoyed in 2016, when it came second for the state. Bengaluru Rural, which topped the list in 2016 with 89.85%, has slipped to the 10th place with 77.03%.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Tanveer Sait attributed the dip in passes to an extra-watchful eye.

“We had strict vigilance this year, which ensured there were no opportunities for malpractice,” Sait said. No grace marks were awarded either, he said.

Dakshina Kannada district comes second, with a success rate of 82.39%, followed by Chikkodi with 80.47%.

Kolar and Chamarajanagar have improved their performance, jumping from the 21st to 7th and 27th to 12th place, respectively. As with the second pre-university exams, Bidar has the lowest pass percentage: 62.2%.

This year, 60 schools show zero passes, while 924 show 100% passes. The minister said he would seek an explanation from schools showing dismal results. Department officials will inspect the schools to see if qualified teachers have been appointed.