Karnataka Grants 60-Day Age Relaxation for Class 1 Admissions, Plans Law to End Annual Confusion
Bengaluru – In a move that brings immediate relief to thousands of parents, the Karnataka government has announced a 60-day age relaxation for Class 1 admissions for the academic year 2026–27. The decision, announced in the Assembly, temporarily eases the mandatory six-year age norm while the government works on a permanent legislative fix to regulate admissions at the pre-primary level.
School Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa confirmed that children who fall short of the six-year requirement by up to two months will be eligible for enrollment this year. This means parents can admit children who are approximately five years and ten months old, addressing widespread concerns from families who faced difficulties under the stricter rule implemented previously.
“A relaxation of 60 days has been granted for the academic year 2026–27,” the minister stated, noting that the concession, which was also provided last year, was extended following repeated requests from parents.
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Acknowledging that the recurring confusion stems from a lack of clear guidelines at the foundational stage, the minister pointed out the absence of a legal framework governing LKG and UKG admissions. “There is currently no legal framework to fix the admission age for LKG and UKG, which is causing issues,” he said.
To address this, the government plans to introduce a new law defining age limits at the pre-primary level, ensuring that children enter Class 1 at the appropriate age without the need for annual relaxations. The proposed legislation is expected to be tabled in the next Assembly session.
During the discussion, BJP MLA Arvind Bellad urged the government to establish a permanent solution rather than relying on temporary measures each year. In response, the minister reiterated the need for structured regulation at the LKG and UKG levels, stating, “We will bring a law soon and place it in the session to regularise the system.”
As part of the broader overhaul, amendments to the Karnataka Education Act are being planned, alongside necessary updates to the school admission software to align with the revised rules. The current relaxation offers immediate relief to parents while paving the way for a more structured and predictable admission framework in the coming years.
KEY QUOTES
1. On the 60-day relaxation:
“A relaxation of 60 days has been granted for the academic year 2026–27.”
— Madhu Bangarappa, School Education Minister
2. On the lack of regulation in pre-primary admissions:
“There is currently no legal framework to fix the admission age for LKG and UKG, which is causing issues.”
— Madhu Bangarappa, School Education Minister
3. On the proposed permanent solution:
“We will bring a law soon and place it in the session to regularise the system.”
— Madhu Bangarappa, School Education Minister
