Bengaluru, October 13: As the admission season begins in Karnataka, a debate has resurfaced over age criteria for class 1 enrolment. A group of parents with children in UKG is seeking relaxation in the minimum age limit for this year’s admissions.
Current rule and past relaxations
Under the existing rule, a child must complete six years of age by June 1 to be eligible for class 1. The state had earlier relaxed this rule for the 2025-26 academic year, allowing children aged five years and five months as of June 1, 2025, who had completed UKG or equivalent, to enrol in class 1.
In July 2022, the minimum age for admission was aligned with the Right to Education Act and the National Education Policy (NEP), changing the age from 5 years 5 months to six years. Schools and parents had objected at the time, as admissions for that year were already underway. Subsequently, in November 2022, the school education department clarified that the new age rule would be applicable only from 2025-26.
Parents demand new relaxation
This year, parents are once again requesting age relaxation, citing recommendations from the recently submitted State Education Policy (SEP), which suggested that children aged plus or minus three months from six years should be eligible for class 1 enrolment.
Parents argue that making children repeat another year in UKG causes both financial and emotional stress. “Last year, the department promised to follow SEP recommendations in future years. We urge them to do so,” they said, having petitioned the school education department and Minister Madhu Bangarappa.
Experts stress developmental readiness
Educationists caution that age six is the ideal milestone for starting class 1. D Shashi Kumar, secretary of Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools of Karnataka, which challenged last year’s relaxation in court, said:
“Research shows that six years is the right age for cognitive, emotional, and social development. Children have better attention spans, self-control, and academic performance at this age. Parents need to understand this.”
He added that aligning with national standards is important, as other states follow similar age criteria and law-abiding institutions have already adjusted to it.