Politics
Karnataka Launches Overhauled Education Policy Starting 2026-27 Academic Year
Starting in the 2026-27 academic year, parents and schools will adapt to a new age-based entry system and restructured academic tiers.
How we reported this
The government of Karnataka is transitioning to its State Education Policy (SEP) as an alternative to the National Education Policy (NEP) for the 2025-26 academic year. This policy shift marks a departure from the previously proposed four-year undergraduate duration and the multiple-entry academic model. For local families in Bangalore, the transition introduces tangible changes to school entry requirements and classroom structures starting in the upcoming academic cycle.
New School Structures and Age Requirements
A primary update for local residents involves the implementation of a new school structure, defined as a 2+8+4 model. This framework consists of two years of pre-primary education, eight years of primary schooling, and four years of secondary schooling. Within this system, the government has mandated that the medium of instruction up to Class 5 must be either Kannada or the student's mother tongue. Additionally, for the 2026-27 academic year, admission into Class 1 in State syllabus schools in Bangalore will require children to have reached six years of age as of June 1. These changes reflect the department's effort to standardize entry points for students across the region.
Regulations for Private Institutions and Public Schools
The state has also introduced the Karnataka Educational Institutions (Amendment) Rules, 2026, which impacts the operational landscape for private schools and PU colleges. These rules impose stricter oversight, including higher fees for management changes and a requirement for mandatory annual audit reports. These measures are designed to increase transparency and regulatory compliance across private education sectors.
Simultaneously, the department of school education has announced plans to establish 800 new Karnataka Public Schools (KPS). An exclusive policy framework is currently being developed for these institutions with the aim of transforming them into quality benchmarks for the state. As the education department moves forward with these reforms, administrators and families are preparing for the adjustment in school protocols. The shift towards this state-specific framework signals a clear effort by the authorities to consolidate educational standards and streamline institution management throughout Karnataka.