Karnataka eases age criterion for class 1 admissions for 2025-26

The state government had made an order in November 2022, where it was mentioned that children who are beginning Class 1 in 2025 should be six years old as of June 1. But numerous schools admitted children in contravention of this rule, leaving parents in a dilemma.

The Karnataka state government has eased the age requirement for admission to Class 1 for this academic year, succumbing to the pressure of parents whose children were admitted in contravention of rules.

School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa stated that children aged five years and five months and above will be promoted to Class 1. But he clarified that the relaxation is being done for this academic year only, 2025-26.

According to the National Education Policy, the state government had made a circular in November 2022 to schools mandating the minimum age of admission to Class 1 as six years from the 2025-26 academic year. Those below the age of six on June 1, 2025, would not be shifted to Class 1, according to NEP.

But in recent months, parents of preschoolers throughout the state have been a nervous bunch as schools referred to education department regulations and indicated that children not meeting the age requirement would need to repeat a year.

"Following the State Education Policy Commission's suggestion and parents' pleas, we have taken a decision to provide relaxation in age for admission to Class 1 only for the 2025-26 academic year," Minister Madhu Bangarappa stated on Wednesday.

But the decision of the government has not been popular among all stakeholders. The move was criticised by the Associated Management of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka. According to D Shashi Kumar, the association's general secretary, the exemption was unjust to schools and parents who had followed the initial guidelines.