Got your result and now wondering, “Bro, is my percentage first class, second class, or just pass class?” You’re definitely not the only student confused by this. Your marks card may show your marks and grades without clearly telling you which “division” you fall under.
Quick answer: The second division percentage is generally 50% to 59.9% under the academic classification commonly used for SSLC, PUC, degree admissions, scholarships, and job eligibility. So, if you scored 50%, 55%, 58%, or anything below 60% but at least 50%, it is normally considered Second Class or Second Division. Exact classification rules can vary slightly between universities, colleges, and schemes.
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What Is “Second Division” / “Second Class” in Karnataka Exams?
First, don’t get confused by the two terms.
Second Division and Second Class generally mean the same thing. They are simply ways of grouping your final percentage into an academic performance category.
For example, suppose your final result is 55%. You have passed the examination, but your percentage is below the usual 60% requirement for First Class. That puts you in the Second Class/Second Division range under the commonly used classification.
Students often come across these terms while filling out college admission forms, scholarship applications, government or private job applications, internships, or forms asking for “class/division obtained.”
This is why you may be searching for your division even though you can’t find the words “Second Division” anywhere on your actual Karnataka marks card.
One important thing to understand is that these ranges are a classification convention, not one universal rule that every institution in India must follow exactly.
For instance, while 75% and above is commonly treated as Distinction, some universities or colleges may use 70% as their distinction cutoff. Always follow the rules mentioned by the institution or scheme where you are submitting your marks.
Second Division Percentage Range
Here’s the easiest way to understand the usual classification:
| Classification | Percentage Range |
|---|---|
| Distinction | 75% and above |
| First Class | 60% to 74.9% |
| Second Class / Second Division | 50% to 59.9% |
| Pass Class / Third Class | Minimum passing percentage to 49.9% |
So if someone asks you for your second class percentage, check whether your final percentage falls between 50% and 59.9%.
Let’s make it even simpler.
If you got 76%, you would normally fall under Distinction. If you got 64%, that would generally be First Class. A score of 55% would normally be Second Class, while a percentage below 50% but above the applicable passing requirement would generally fall under Pass Class/Third Class.
The important boundary to remember for 2nd division marks is 50% at the lower end and less than 60% at the upper end.
If you’re specifically a PUC student, I’ve also explained the Karnataka 2nd PUC grading system separately, which can help you understand how your marks and grade relate to your overall result.
Also, don’t mix up the first class percentage or distinction percentage with the minimum marks needed just to pass an examination. Passing requirements and result classifications are two different things.
Does Your Karnataka SSLC/PUC Marksheet Actually Print “Second Division”?
This is probably where most of the confusion starts.
Karnataka’s official SSLC and 2nd PUC marksheets primarily show your marks and grades rather than printing a division such as “First Division” or “Second Division” on the certificate.
So imagine you received your marks card, calculated 56%, and then searched the entire document for the words “Second Class.” You may not find them. That doesn’t automatically mean your calculation is wrong.
The Karnataka SSLC PUC division terminology is commonly used when colleges, scholarship schemes, employers, or application forms want to classify your academic result.
SSLC students who want to understand their result classification in more detail can also read my guide to the Karnataka SSLC grading system.
If you want to verify your published examination result online, use the official Karnataka Examination Results website rather than relying only on third-party result websites. Remember that an online result is for result information; your official marksheet/certificate remains the academic record issued by the relevant authority.
If a form asks for “Class/Division” and your percentage is 55%, for example, Second Class would normally be the appropriate classification under the standard ranges above. But if that form provides its own classification criteria, follow those instructions instead.
New Karnataka Passing Marks Rule (2025-26)
There’s another important change Karnataka students should know about.
From the 2025-26 academic year, Karnataka reduced the minimum overall passing percentage for both SSLC and 2nd PUC from 35% to 33%. Students are also required to obtain at least 30% in each individual subject.
For Karnataka 2nd PUC, the minimum aggregate required to pass is 33%, or 198 marks out of 600. You need at least 30% in each subject, and theory and practical components must also be cleared separately where applicable.
For Karnataka SSLC, students need at least 33% overall, which is 206 marks out of 625, along with a minimum of 30% in each individual subject.
Why does this matter when we’re talking about divisions?
Because passing the examination comes first. The class/division system is then used to describe your overall result. A student meeting the passing requirement but scoring below 50% would not normally be considered Second Division under the standard classification.
So don’t assume that “pass” and “second class” mean the same thing. They don’t.
Does Second Division Affect College Admission or Scholarships?
This is usually the next worry: “I got second division. Will I still get admission?”
Second Division by itself does not tell you whether you are eligible or ineligible for a college, course, scholarship, or job.
What matters is the specific eligibility requirement.
Suppose a college requires applicants to have at least 50% in the qualifying examination. A student with 55% meets that percentage requirement. But if another course requires 60%, the same student would fall short of that particular cutoff.
Scholarships work similarly. Different schemes can have different requirements based on marks, income, category, course, institution, or other eligibility conditions. You shouldn’t assume that having Second Class automatically qualifies or disqualifies you.
If you’re applying for financial assistance, check the eligibility conditions of the particular scheme rather than relying only on your division. Karnataka government schemes can have very different academic and other eligibility requirements, so there isn’t one percentage that applies to every scholarship.
The same applies when you move from PUC to a degree or from your degree to postgraduate study. Some institutions care mainly about the minimum eligibility percentage, while others may use merit lists or additional selection criteria.
So if you have 52%, 55%, or 59%, don’t panic just because the result is called Second Class. Check the actual minimum percentage required for the opportunity you’re applying for.
Small disclaimer: Classification and eligibility rules can vary by college, university, employer, or scholarship scheme, so always confirm the applicable criteria with the specific institution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is second division a good percentage?
Second Division means you have passed and generally scored between 50% and 59.9%. Whether that is “good” depends on what you want to do next. Instead of worrying about the label, check whether your percentage meets the eligibility requirement for your chosen college, course, scholarship, or job.
What percentage is second class in PUC Karnataka?
Second Class is generally 50% to 59.9% when the standard academic classification is used. Karnataka 2nd PUC marksheets primarily report marks and grades, so you may not see “Second Class” printed as a division on the marksheet itself.
Is 55% second division?
Yes. Under the commonly used classification, 55% falls under Second Class or Second Division because it is between 50% and 59.9%.
Is 60% first class or second class?
60% is generally First Class. The usual Second Class range ends below 60%, while First Class starts at 60% and normally continues up to 74.9%.
Is 50% second class?
Yes. 50% is normally the starting point for Second Class/Second Division. If you have exactly 50%, you would generally enter Second Class rather than Pass Class under the standard classification.
Conclusion
So, if you came here simply wondering “what percentage is second division?”, the answer is straightforward: 50% to 59.9% is generally considered Second Class or Second Division.
If your marks card doesn’t actually say “Second Division,” don’t worry. Karnataka SSLC and 2nd PUC marksheets primarily show your marks and grades, while class or division is commonly used when colleges, scholarship schemes, employers, or application forms classify your result.
And if you’ve scored somewhere in the 50–59.9% range, don’t get stuck worrying about the word “second.” Check the actual eligibility percentage for the college, course, scholarship, or job you’re interested in. Your next opportunity depends much more on its eligibility requirements than on the name given to your result classification.