Gandhinagar, Feb 18 (IANS) Gujarati medium Students appearing in the state higher secondary examinations in March this year need to score just 20 marks out of 100 in English to be declared passed, officials said.

This is a special concession the Gujarat State Higher Secondary Education Board has announced this year for students of Gujarati medium, for whom English is now a compulsory subject.

After the state government decided to make English a compulsory language for students of classes 8 to 12 studying in Gujarati medium, it was decided to introduce this measure in a phased manner with the aim of raising the level of English among them.

Last year, the minimum passing percentage for students of Class 11 was kept at 20 and this year the same is being implemented for Class 12 students.

'This is a one-time concession to ease the strain on the students. From next year the minimum passing marks required in English will revert back to 35,' an official with the board said.

The board has also issued instructions that during the examinations beginning March 4, not only students will be penalised for copying but invigilators also will be liable for action where students are found copying.

Action, according to the source, will range from removal from invigilation work to stoppage of their salary increments.