Govt notifies school entry age at 6, offers one-year grace for 2025-26

Margao: Govt has enacted a law maintaining the minimum age for admission to Class I in recognised schools at six years, with a one-year transitional provision allowing children as young as 5.5 years old to be enrolled for the current academic year.The Goa School Education (Amendment) Act, 2026, passed by the state legislative assembly on Jan 15 and assented to by the governor on March 9, came into force immediately following its publication in the official gazette.The amendment substitutes Section 18 of the parent Goa School Education Act, 1984, and stipulates that no child who has not completed six years of age on or before June 1 of the relevant academic year shall be admitted to Class I or any equivalent or higher class in a recognised school.

As a transitional relief for the 2025-26 academic year, children who have attained five years and six months of age by June 1, 2025, will remain eligible for Class I admission.The amendment also lays down criteria for admissions to higher classes. A student seeking entry for the first time into a recognised school must meet age requirements based on the standard progression of schooling from Class I, ensuring the minimum age benchmark is maintained.