The Punjab Education Department has proposed increasing the minimum passing marks for matric (classes 9 and 10) and intermediate (classes 11 and 12) exams from 33% to 40%, starting with the 2026 annual examinations.
This policy shift is aimed at reducing rote learning and fostering deeper conceptual understanding among students, thereby enhancing the quality of education across the province. The final decision will be made after consultations with the chairpersons of all nine educational boards in Punjab.
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For the 2025 exams, the existing 33% pass mark will still apply. From 2026 onward, students must achieve at least 40% in both theory and practical sections to pass each subject.
The proposal also includes replacing the term “Fail” with “Unsatisfactory” and introducing a new grading system to refine assessment standards. These changes will be uniformly implemented across all Punjab boards, including Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sahiwal, DG Khan, and Bahawalpur.
Teachers’ associations have welcomed the proposal, calling it a positive step toward improving student outcomes and academic standards.
