Karnataka relaxes first grade admission age

Bengaluru

In a major change, the Karnataka Education Department has reduced the minimum age for first-grade admission to 5 years and 5 months, easing the earlier rule that required children to be 6 years old. This move, aimed at addressing concerns over school readiness, has brought a fresh wave of confusion among parents.

Though the relaxation is seen as a relief, it comes with a condition — children must have completed Upper Kindergarten (UKG). This has created complications for students who completed Lower Kindergarten (LKG) last year and are now in UKG. These children may not turn six by the time they complete UKG, making them ineligible for first grade next year, which could lead to a repeated year in UKG. Parents worry this will affect their children’s smooth academic progress.

Last year, many parents struggled due to the stricter age rule. Thousands were unable to enroll their children in first grade and had to pay additional fees to re-admit them in UKG. Some private schools also refused first-grade admissions, forcing many families to keep their children in LKG for another year.

This cycle of changing rules has left parents anxious about their children’s future. While the government’s intent may have been to provide flexibility, the sudden policy shift has created uncertainty in planning. Parents are now demanding clearer, long-term guidelines to ensure a stable path for early education.

The situation highlights the need for consistent policies that balance children’s learning readiness with practical solutions for parents and schools.