Karnataka permits LKG, UKG classes in 581 government schools for 2026-27; check eligibility, facilities

The Karnataka government has permitted the introduction of pre-primary classes in 581 government schools under the Samagra Shiksha Karnataka scheme for the 2026–27 academic year. The classes will comprise separate Lower Kindergarten (LKG) and Upper Kindergarten (UKG) sections and will follow a bilingual, activity-based learning approach.

As per latest order, the classes will be conducted between 10 am and 3:30 pm. Schools must distribute Balachaitanya bilingual activity books and provide the required infrastructure and learning materials. The order also mentions eligibility criteria for children, qualifications for teachers and ayahs, recruitment procedures, honorariums and monitoring arrangements for the programme.

Karnataka pre-primary classes 2026-27: Age limit and enrolment

Children aged four to five years will be eligible for admission to LKG. Each approved school will have one LKG section and one UKG section. At least 10 children of the eligible age must enrol for a section to start, while the maximum permitted enrolment is 40 children per section, including in Karnataka Public Schools .

Also read ‘Salary unchanged for 10 years’: Delhi govt school teachers urge Ashish Sood to consider pay hike

If a school does not achieve the minimum enrolment in the current academic year, the pre-primary classes must be started in the following academic year. The order directs schools to record student attendance daily through the NITRANTHARA app under the Student Facial Attendance Monitoring System. All pre-primary students must be registered on UDISE+, and schools must ensure that an APAAR ID is generated for each student.

Karnataka LKG, UKG class timings and facilities

The government has directed schools to conduct LKG and UKG classes separately in a bilingual medium from 10 am to 3:30 pm. School Development and Monitoring Committees (SDMCs) and teachers must publicise the programme locally and complete the necessary preparations. Each school must identify and prepare a classroom for the pre-primary section and provide the required infrastructure and learning materials.

The order also provides for hot-cooked midday meals, milk under the Ksheera Bhagya scheme and supplementary nutritional food such as eggs, in accordance with the prescribed nutritional standards. A separate government order will be issued on the provision of these benefits.

Karnataka pre-primary teacher recruitment 2026 qualifications

The order provides for the temporary appointment of one teacher each for LKG and UKG in every approved school, along with one ayah or assistant. The appointments will be for 10 months and will remain valid until March 31 of the relevant academic year. Candidates applying for pre-primary teacher posts must have passed Pre-University Course (PUC) with at least 50% marks and possess a relevant qualification from an institution recognised by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE).

The accepted qualifications include a Diploma in Nursery Teachers Education, a Diploma in Pre-School Teacher Education, a Diploma in Early Childhood Education (D.E.C.Ed.) of at least two years’ duration, or a B.Ed. in Nursery Education. The maximum age limit for teacher candidates is 45 years. If candidates with the prescribed pre-primary teacher training qualifications are unavailable, candidates with at least 50% marks in PUC and D.Ed. training from an NCTE-recognised institution may be considered.

Also read NSO Survey: Nearly 50% of children travelling at least 1 km to school walk, more so in rural areas

Candidates applying for ayah or assistant posts must have passed SSLC . They must be local women below 45 years of age, belonging to the relevant village or ward. If no eligible local candidate is available, candidates from the village panchayat area where the school is located or from a neighbouring ward may be considered. Each approved school will appoint one ayah or assistant for 10 months. The monthly honorarium is fixed at Rs 6,250, amounting to Rs 62,500 for the 10-month period. Ayahs will assist with children’s personal care and hygiene, classroom safety, discipline, play activities and the organisation of learning materials.

Recruitment will be conducted transparently, with applications invited at the school level. A selection committee headed by the Block Education Officer will include a government school headteacher, the president of the primary section’s SDMC and a senior assistant teacher. Teacher candidates will be assessed on educational and professional qualifications, local residence, relevant teaching experience and teaching skills. The selection criteria also consider candidates’ ability to communicate with children, recite poems, sing rhymes with gestures and organise play-based activities.

Karnataka pre-primary classes: Monitoring and implementation
The government has directed the School Education Department to issue a detailed circular covering enrolment, recruitment criteria and procedures, curriculum, teaching-learning methods and learning materials.

Also read ‘Part of Education’: Karnataka universities, colleges brace for first students’ union elections in 37 years

District and taluk-level nodal officers will monitor implementation, while Block Education Officers must ensure compliance in schools under their jurisdiction. The order also requires authorities to verify appointment orders, attendance records, qualification documents and student enrolment details. Honorariums must be paid only to eligible teachers and staff who are actually working.