Karnataka SSLC Exams 2026: KSRTC Offers Free Bus Travel for Candidates Till April 2; KSEAB Tightens Security

The Karnataka SSLC examinations 2026 will begin on March 18, with 9,02,889 students set to appear across the State. Candidates from 15,941 high schools will take part in the SSLC Annual Examination-1, conducted by the Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB).

To ensure strict monitoring and transparency, the board has introduced web streaming from all examination centres. Officials say the system will help authorities closely observe exam proceedings and discourage malpractice.

The examinations will be held at 2,871 centres across Karnataka.

SSLC 2026 Exam Schedule and First Language Papers

The written examinations will begin with first language subjects on Wednesday, including Kannada, Telugu, Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, English and Sanskrit.

All first language papers will be conducted from 10:00 am to 1:15 pm.

KSEAB has stated that elaborate arrangements have been made across districts to ensure the exams proceed smoothly for lakhs of students appearing this year.

Security Measures and Strict Device Ban at Exam Centres

Authorities have announced tight security arrangements at every SSLC examination centre.

Police personnel will be deployed at all locations, and strict rules have been put in place to prevent any form of malpractice. Students are not allowed to carry electronic gadgets, including:

Mobile phones

Smart watches

Earphones

Any other communication devices

Even officials on exam duty are barred from using mobile phones inside the centres. Only the chief superintendent of each centre is permitted to carry a basic phone without a camera for emergency communication.

Dress Code Guidelines for Students

KSEAB has also reminded students to follow the dress code prescribed by their educational institutions.

These guidelines are based on directions issued earlier by the Supreme Court of India and are intended to maintain uniformity and avoid confusion during the examination process.

Students have been advised to arrive at centres well before the reporting time and carry their admission tickets and school ID cards.

Free Bus Travel for SSLC Students Across Karnataka

To help students travel without stress, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation has announced free bus travel for SSLC candidates during the entire examination period.

The SSLC examinations will run from March 18 to April 2, 2026, and students can travel free of cost on exam days.

Candidates can board buses from their homes to exam centres and return after the paper without paying any fare.

How Students Can Use the Free Travel Facility

Students must show their SSLC Annual Examination Admission Ticket while boarding the bus.

KSRTC has clarified that the hall ticket itself will act as a bus pass, and conductors have been instructed to accept it as valid proof for free travel.

Bus Services Covered Under the Scheme

The free travel facility applies to most regular KSRTC services, including:

City buses

Suburban buses

Ordinary buses

Express buses

However, luxury bus services are not included in the scheme.

The decision ensures that students from villages and rural areas, who often travel long distances to reach exam centres, can use regular buses without worrying about ticket costs.

Relief for Rural and Economically Weaker Students

Many SSLC examination centres are located in taluk headquarters or large schools at the hobli level, meaning students from smaller villages sometimes travel up to 80 kilometres daily during the exam period.

The free bus travel initiative is expected to reduce financial pressure on families and help students reach centres on time without transport worries.

Instructions for KSRTC Staff

Transport authorities have instructed drivers and conductors to cooperate with students during the examination period.

Buses must stop at designated points and pick up candidates carrying valid hall tickets. Staff have also been directed not to collect any fare from SSLC students and to ensure that no candidate is denied travel.

With web streaming, strict security rules, dress guidelines and free transport support, authorities expect the SSLC Annual Examination-1 to be conducted in a fair, transparent and student-friendly manner across Karnataka.