Education Department enforces strict six-year cutoff for admission to State schools, ensuring uniformity with national standards while supporting age-appropriate learning
After four years of back and forth, the state government has drawn a firm line on the minimum age for Class 1 admissions. From the 2026-27Karnataka: Six years minimum now mandatory for Class 1academic year, parents will have to fall in line with the rule that mandates children must have completed six years of age as on June 1 to secure admission in State syllabus schools.
The School Education Department has made it clear that no further relaxation will be granted. The decision effectively ends the temporary concessions that had been extended since 2022, when the State softened the rule amid concerns from parents and schools adjusting to new policy changes.
A senior official said the department had already signalled its intent last year. “The government order on the six-year age criterion was issued four years ago. Relaxations were provided for three academic cycles keeping practical difficulties in mind. From 2026-27, the rule will apply without exception,” he said. While Central syllabus schools adopted the six-year benchmark in 2022 itself, the state government had initially provided a two-year cushion for State board institutions. In 2025-26, the minimum age was reduced to 5.5 years as a one-time measure. That window now closes.
Mixed reactions
The announcement has triggered mixed responses among parents in Bengaluru. Some say the clarity helps them plan better. “At least now there is no confusion. Every year we were unsure whether the rule would change again. A fixed age gives us certainty,” said Priya Gowda, mother of a five-year-old. Others feel the June 1 cut-off is too rigid. “My son was born on June 3. Under this rule, he loses a full year. Two days should not decide a child’s academic future,” said IT professional Karthik S.
Another parent, Shabana Ali, questioned the scientific basis of the deadline. “Children develop at different speeds. Instead of a strict date, there could have been some flexibility. Many families are affected by just a few days’ difference,” she said, adding that a grace period till the end of July would have been more practical. “The present cut-off may delay school entry unnecessarily,” she said.
Policy alignment
Officials, however, maintain that aligning with the six-year benchmark ensures uniformity with national standards and supports age-appropriate learning. The department argues that repeated relaxations created inconsistency and confusion among schools. With admissions for 2026-27 set to begin in the coming months, schools across Bengaluru are preparing to implement the rule strictly. For many parents, the debate may not be over, but the message from the government is clear: the six-year age bar is here to stay.
