Karnataka govt. announces 60-day age relaxation for 2026-27 class 1 admission

Following pressure from parents, the Karnataka government on Thursday announced a 60-day relaxation in the age eligibility criteria for class 1 admissions for the 2026–27 academic year.

Minister for School Education and Literacy Madhu Bangarappa informed the Legislative Assembly that the relaxation would also apply to admissions in Lower Kindergarten (LKG) and Upper Kindergarten (UKG).

He added that a regulatory framework for LKG and UKG admissions — currently absent — would be introduced through legislation in the next session.

Circular to be issued

The Minister said a circular would be issued to provide a 60-day relaxation in the age eligibility criteria for class 1 admissions for the 2026–27 academic year. Under the changed rules, a child who is 5 years and 10 months by June 1 would be eligible for admission to class 1.

Under existing rules, a child must be 6 years old by June 1 of the academic year to be eligible for class 1, in line with the Right to Education Act and the National Education Policy 2020, both of which recommend 6 as the ideal entry age.

The government’s decision to strictly enforce this rule from 2026–27 had triggered concern among parents, who feared their children might lose an academic year. Estimates suggest that close to 2.5 lakh students across the State could be affected if the rule were implemented without relaxation.

National norms

Karnataka had revised the minimum age criterion from five years and five months to six years in July 2022, to align with national norms. However, resistance from parents led to delays in enforcement until the current academic year.

As per the rule, children who do not turn six by June 1, 2026, would not be ineligible for class 1 admission, even if they have completed UKG. Parents have argued that many children born during the COVID-19 pandemic have already faced disruptions in their early education and this rule would affect them further.