Karnataka Agriculture Exam Controversy: 74 students score full marks at one centre, KEA issues clarification

A controversy has erupted in Karnataka over the Agriculture Science practical examination conducted for admissions to agriculture degree courses under UGCET 2026. This comes amid allegations of irregularities regarding unusually high marks at a single examination centre. The credibility of the exam is being questioned after 74 students at the Hiriyur centre in Chitradurga reportedly secured a perfect score of 200 out of 200. In comparison, only 24 students across the remaining 16 centres in the state obtained full marks. The sharp difference in scores has triggered allegations of mark inflation and unfair practices.

Amid the ongoing NEET controversy , students fear there may have been unfair practices at the UGCET examination centre.

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BJP demands re-examination

Parents and student groups have also alleged that several eligible candidates did not receive hall tickets, preventing them from appearing for the practical examination. Opposition leaders took to platform X, claiming that the incident has caused injustice to deserving students and demanding an impartial investigation along with a re-examination.

The post reads, "On one hand, there has been mark inflation; on the other, KCET has been negligent in not providing hall tickets to several eligible students who were supposed to write the exam. This is an injustice to talented rural students who toiled day and night to study. The government must immediately conduct an impartial investigation and hold a re-examination to deliver justice to the aggrieved students."

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KEA issues clarification

Amid the growing debate on social media, the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) issued a clarification distancing itself from the controversy. KEA clarified that it did not conduct the Agriculture Science Practical Examination and stated that the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Bengaluru, was the nodal agency responsible for conducting the test.