Karnataka is removing the penalty charged to students for late admission to Pre-University (PUC/PU) colleges, effective from the 2026–27 academic session. The change follows concerns that the existing penalty provision has been misused by some educational institutions. The government directs PU colleges to follow the official admission calendar strictly, replacing the earlier approach that allowed penalties for delayed enrolment.
In the past, Karnataka had imposed penalties for students who join PU courses after the scheduled dates. According to earlier government action, the penalty ranged from ₹670 to ₹2,220 during the 2018–19 period, depending on the circumstances. With the new policy, students in future admission cycles are not required to pay these late-admission charges.
Officials say the decision is intended to reduce barriers for students who may face difficulties meeting timelines, including economically weaker students, while reinforcing compliance with the state’s admission schedule.
