Penalty for late admission for PUC students abolished in Karnataka
The State Government has rescinded its previous order regarding imposition of late admission penalty on students seeking enrolment in government pre-university (PU) colleges in Karnataka
The State Government has rescinded its previous order regarding imposition of late admission penalty on students seeking enrolment in government pre-university (PU) colleges in Karnataka. Effective from the current (2026-27) academic year, students securing late admissions for I and II PUC classes across all government PU colleges state-wide are exempted from paying the ₹670 late admission penalty (applicable for a 10-day delay), as well as the ₹2,220 special late admission penalty (applicable for a 20-day delay). The I and II PUC admission processes are underway.
Currently, 1.78 lakh students have enrolled for 1st PUC in government PU colleges. In 2025, 1.37 lakh students were enrolled. This year, the School Education Department (pre-university) has set a target of enrolling about 2 lakh students in government PU colleges for 1st PUC. The admission deadline has been extended till July 31. In 2018-19, the government of Karnataka had imposed a penalty of ₹670 to ₹2,220 on students who enrol late in PU colleges. Most students who enrol in government PU colleges are from rural areas, belong to economically and socially backward classes.
In the interest of students from economically and socially backward background and with the aim of increasing the enrolment rate, the Director of School Education Department (Pre-university) had submitted a proposal to the government to exempt students from paying the late admission penalty. Bharatha S., Director of Director of School Education Department (Pre-university), said, “Although the SSLC results were good in previous years, the number of students in government PU colleges were decreasing by about 35,000 every year.. Due to the admission drive and other measures, more than 41,000 students have joined government PU colleges this year.
We expect 2 lakh students to enrol this year, and the penalty fee has been waived off for late admissions. “Separate directions will be issued to all government PU colleges to refund the penalty paid by students who have taken late admission earlier, and have already paid the penalty,” he added.
The BriefWire