Goa Government Raises Class 1 Admission Age to 6 Years

The Goa government has introduced the Goa School Education (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the state Legislative Assembly during the ongoing winter session on January 13, 2026. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who also holds the education portfolio, tabled the bill to amend Section 18 of the Goa School Education Act, 1984, proposing to increase the minimum age for admission to Class 1 or equivalent classes in recognised schools from five years and six months to six years.

Proposed Changes to Age Eligibility

According to the bill, a child who has not completed six years of age on or before June 1 of the academic year will not be eligible for admission to Class 1. The amendment also extends stricter age norms to first-time admissions in classes higher than Class 1, ensuring that after accounting for the normal progression of schooling years from Class 1, the child’s age does not fall below six years at the point of entry.

This regulatory change aligns Goa’s school admission framework with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, both of which recommend six years as the appropriate minimum age for entry into formal schooling.

National Trend Towards Uniform Six-Year Entry Age

Since the Ministry of Education’s 2023 communication directing states and Union Territories to align school admission policies with NEP 2020’s recommendation of six years as the minimum age for Class 1 entry, several jurisdictions have implemented or are progressing towards this standard. The shift aims to ensure developmental appropriateness during the foundational stage of education.

The following table summarizes key states and systems that have adopted the six-year minimum age rule, either through legislation, government orders, or administrative guidelines:

One-Time Relaxation for Current Academic Year

To prevent disruption for students already progressing through the early education pipeline, the bill includes a one-time proviso for the academic year 2025-26. Children who have attained the age of five years and six months on or before June 1, 2025, will continue to be permitted admission to Class 1 under the existing criteria.

The authority has not announced further details yet regarding the passage of the bill or its effective date beyond the proposed relaxation provision.

Key Highlights of the Amendment Bill

• Current Requirement: Minimum age of five years and six months for Class 1 admission.
• Proposed Requirement: Completion of six years by June 1 of the academic year.
• Alignment Objective: Compliance with national standards under NEP 2020 and RTE Act, 2009.
• Scope: Applies to all recognised schools in Goa for Class 1 and equivalent classes, with provisions for higher classes.
• Financial Impact: No additional financial implications for the state government, as stated in the bill.

Admissions to recognised schools will continue to be governed by rules framed by the government. Chief Minister Sawant has described the proposed amendments as essential regulatory measures to bring uniformity with national education guidelines. Parents and schools in Goa are advised to monitor official notifications from the Directorate of Education for any subsequent updates on the bill’s status and implementation for future academic years.

Written by Abhijeet Chatterjee

Abhijeet Chatterjee is a professional Content and Copy specialist with over five years of experience in crafting compelling content around the Edtech domain. His portfolio includes notable work for companies such as PhysicsWallah, Roar Media, Jagran Josh, etc. Academically, Abhijeet holds a Master's in Mass Communication, where he was awarded a gold medal for his outstanding performance. He has also qualified for the UGC NET in Mass Communication, demonstrating his expertise and a deep understanding of the field. His academic foundation is built on a Bachelor's degree in English Literature. Beyond his professional work, Abhijeet is an avid writer and a cinephile. His personal interests include scriptwriting, film criticism, and reading novels.

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