DHSE KERALA

The Directorate of Higher Secondary Education (DHSE) Kerala is the primary administrative body responsible for the management and regulation of Higher Secondary education (Class 11 and Class 12) in the state of Kerala. Established under the General Education Department of the Government of Kerala, the board ensures a standardized curriculum and quality education across the state.

DHSE Kerala focuses on preparing students for higher education and vocational training. It conducts the Higher Secondary Examinations (HSE) annually, which are pivotal for students seeking admission to various undergraduate courses in universities across India and abroad. You can learn more about their mission on the official DHSE website.

The Directorate of Higher Secondary Education was established in 1990. Before its inception, pre-degree courses were conducted by the various universities in Kerala. In alignment with the National Policy on Education, the state government decided to delink pre-degree courses from universities and integrate them into the school education system.

This transition was completed in phases, leading to the creation of the Higher Secondary wing. Today, DHSE Kerala is one of the most respected education boards in India, known for its rigorous academic standards and early adoption of continuous and comprehensive evaluation (CCE) methods.

DHSE Kerala oversees thousands of schools within the state of Kerala and some beyond its borders. The schools are categorized into:

• Government Higher Secondary Schools (GHSS)
• Aided Higher Secondary Schools
• Un-aided Higher Secondary Schools

While its primary jurisdiction is the state of Kerala, DHSE also grants affiliation to schools in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep and Mahe (Puducherry). Additionally, there are several Kerala-syllabus schools located in the Gulf countries (UAE, Oman, Qatar, etc.) to cater to the large Malayali diaspora.

It is important to note that while DHSE manages Higher Secondary (Class 11 & 12), the Class 10 (SSLC) exams in Kerala are conducted by the Kerala Board of Public Examinations (KBPE). However, both operate under the General Education Department.

The SSLC (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) exam pattern includes:

• Syllabus: Based on the SCERT Kerala curriculum covering subjects like Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Social Science, and Languages.
• Grading: Kerala follows a 9-point grading system (A+, A, B+, B, C+, C, D+, D, E).
• Passing Criteria: Students must secure a minimum of D+ grade (30% marks) in each subject to qualify for higher studies.

The Class 12 (Plus Two) curriculum is divided into three main streams: Science, Commerce, and Humanities. The evaluation process consists of three components:

• Terminal Evaluation (TE): The theory exams conducted at the end of the year.
• Continuous Evaluation (CE): Internal marks based on assignments, projects, and class participation.
• Practical Evaluation (PE): Lab-based exams for Science and certain vocational subjects.

The total score for most subjects is 100 (CE: 20, TE: 80 or CE: 20, PE: 40, TE: 40 for practical subjects). Detailed syllabus information is available on the DHSE Downloads page.

The DHSE Kerala Plus Two exams for the academic year 2025-2026 are expected to follow the traditional timeline. Based on previous years, the schedule is anticipated as follows:

Students can download the official 2026 time table once it is released from the DHSE Circulars section.

To be eligible for the DHSE Kerala Higher Secondary exams, a student must have:

• Passed the SSLC (Class 10) examination or an equivalent exam recognized by the Kerala government.
• Maintained the required percentage of attendance as prescribed by the Directorate.

The registration process is primarily handled through the HSCAP (Higher Secondary Centralised Admission Process) portal for Class 11 admission. For Class 12 exams, schools register their regular students through the official DHSE portal. Private candidates must apply through the 'Private Registration' link available on the official website during the designated window.

DHSE Kerala results are usually published on the official results portal. To pass the Plus Two examination, a candidate must:

• Obtain a minimum of 30% marks in each subject (including CE, PE, and TE).
• Secure a combined grade of D+ or above in each subject.

Students who fail to secure the minimum grade in one or more subjects are eligible to appear for the SAY (Save-A-Year) examination, which is conducted shortly after the main results are announced, allowing them to progress to higher education without losing an academic year.

The Kerala government and DHSE offer several scholarships to support meritorious and underprivileged students:

• INSPIRE Scholarship: For students pursuing basic and natural sciences.
• PRATHIBHA Scholarship: For high-ranking students in Science subjects.
• Minority Welfare Scholarships: Targeted at students from minority communities.
• Grace Marks: Awarded to students participating in NCC, NSS, Scouts & Guides, and state-level arts and sports competitions.

Information regarding scholarship eligibility and application deadlines is periodically updated on the DHSE portal.

For official queries, students and parents can contact the Directorate at their headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram:

• Address: Directorate of Higher Secondary Education, Housing Board Buildings, Santhi Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram - 695001.
• Official Website: dhsekerala.gov.in
• Result Portal: keralaresults.nic.in
• Email: jdexamdhse@gmail.com (Examination Wing)