Parents, Take Note! Minimum Age for Class 1 Admission Set to 5.5 Years for 2025-26 in Karnataka this year
The Karnataka government has announced a one-time relaxation of the minimum age requirement for admission to Class 1 in state schools for the academic year 2025-26.
Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa, in a press conference today, stated that children who are 5.5 years old and have completed UKG or an equivalent level will be eligible for Class 1 admissions this year. This decision comes after receiving several petitions from parents and recommendations by the State Education Policy Commission.
“This is a temporary exemption applicable only for the current academic year. From 2026-27 onwards, the minimum age will be 6 years as of June for admission to Class 1,” clarified the minister.
The age criterion was initially revised by the previous BJP-led government in July 2022, raising the minimum age from 5.5 to 6 years to align with the National Education Policy (NEP) and the Right to Education Act. At the time, it was noted that 21 other states had adopted the 6-year age norm.
However, due to backlash from parents and concerns about mid-year policy changes affecting lakhs of students already in the education system, the education department deferred the implementation of the rule to 2025-26 via a circular issued in November 2022.
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