Bhubaneswar, Dec. 28: The absence of proper guidelines for awarding grace marks at the Plus Two-level examinations by the Council of Higher Secondary Examination (CHSE) has triggered criticism from different sections.

Following complaints from students and their parents, the state higher education department has now sought clarification from the council authorities on the matter.

Grace marks are normally awarded to students who fall marginally short of the passing marks. Although the council has been awarding grace marks to students, there has been no clarity over how the marks are awarded.

Even the higher education department has no documents listing how the grace marks are awarded.

Council chairman Basudev Chattoi said: "According to the existing system, the number of marks to be awarded to a particular candidate is decided by the examination committee."

Chattoi also said that the council would shortly submit a report to the higher education department regarding the matter.

However, his response has not gone down well with students and their parents.

"It is unfair if the committee decides to award one candidate two marks and helps him pass, while ignoring another who may need three marks to pass. There must be some justification or a clear set of rules so that we can have a clear understanding that they are not working under the influence of anyone and are being impartial," said Suryakant Jena, a parent.

Currently, only students who fail in an exam are awarded grace marks, which can go up to three percent of his total marks, a source in the council said.

Grace marks are also awarded when questions have discrepancies. These marks are awarded if the students make an attempt to answer the questions.

"Every year, after the Plus Two results are declared, people make a beeline to the council office to request for grace marks. To parents who travel all the way from remote areas such as Malkangiri and Koraput<>, investing two more years for their children's education is nearly impossible. However, they usually return empty-handed, while their more influential counterparts in the big cities, are able to grab the grace marks for their wards. There is every chance that irregularities take place and it must be investigated," said Basudev Bhatt, who heads a state-level parents' association.

The CBSE, which has a guideline for awarding grace marks, has awarded marks to all students who are disadvantaged by the unusually high difficulty level of the paper in the past. This usually takes place if there are complaints and grievances from students and parents.