Karnataka Class 1 Age Relaxation

The India — Karnataka government, led by Minister for School Education and Literacy Madhu Bangarappa, announced a 60-day relaxation in the age eligibility criteria for Class 1 admissions for the 2026-27 academic year. This decision follows persistent demands from parents whose children would otherwise fall short of the existing rule requiring them to be six years old by June 1. The relaxation will allow children aged 5 years and 10 months or more to be eligible for Class 1. The government also plans to introduce legislation to establish a regulatory framework for LKG and UKG admissions, which currently lack such a system. Opposition leader Arvind Bellad called for a permanent solution to the recurring issue. The move aims to provide relief to an estimated 2.5 lakh students across India — Karnataka who might have been affected by the strict implementation of the age rule, which was initially revised in July 2022 to align with national norms like the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 and the National Education Policy 2020.