The Department of General Education has revised the grace marks awarded to students appearing for the SSLC, Higher Secondary and Vocational Higher Secondary examinations. In an order issued recently by the department, grace marks were fixed for the science journal competition, which was separate from the Sasthrotsavam (science festival). The top three winners get 20, 15 and 10 as grace marks. At the same time, the grace marks allowed for the Bhaskaracharya seminar at the state level were removed.
It was also decided to allow grace marks for 19 on-site events at the School Skills Festival (formerly the Vocational Exhibition). The first three winners will receive 20, 15 and 10 as tokens of grace.
School Social Service Program and Sasthrapadham State-level Young Innovators Program (YIP) winners will also be honored with grace marks. Under the School Social Service Scheme, 25, 15 and 10 marks will be awarded as grace marks, while YIP Sasthrapadham will fetch students 10 marks.
However, the order does not mention any marks of grace for reading. General Education Minister V. Sivankutty has announced that grace marks will be awarded for reading newspapers and books. Officials said the reading activities to be completed by students to get grace marks have not been finalised, though there have been discussions in this regard. Once these are established, grace marks can be awarded.
Officials expressed optimism that grace marks for reading will be introduced in the next academic year.
Published – 18 March 2026 20:32 IST
