Students Stuck Due to Age Rule, 9th Grade Admission Delayed
More than 500 students across Madhya Pradesh are unable to continue their education due to age restrictions. These are students who passed the 8th grade before reaching the age of 13. Now, their admission to the 9th grade is being blocked due to the New Education Policy.
According to the new admission policy based on the National Education Policy, the minimum age for 9th-grade admission has been set at 13 years. This issue became apparent after the results of the entrance exams for model (excellent) schools were released. Many of the students who cleared the entrance test were found to be under 13 years of age and hence ineligible for admission.
New Policy Prevents Eligible Students from Enrolling
The Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education issued the admission guidelines on June 11, setting minimum and maximum age limits from nursery to class 12. As per this policy, students under 13 years of age cannot be admitted to class 9. This restriction may also cost students their eligibility for national-level scholarships like the NMMS (National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship), despite clearing the exam.
Most of these students are from districts such as Gwalior, Jhabua, Morena, Neemuch, Rajgarh, Ratlam, Satna, and Shahdol. School principals from these districts have now submitted applications to the Board of Secondary Education requesting relaxation in the age requirement.
Students Started School Before New Policy Took Effect
The School Education Department implemented the new age criteria starting from the 2024–25 academic session. The students currently completing 8th grade likely started school in 2013 when no such rule existed. Due to continuous academic progress, many have completed 8th grade at just 12 years of age.
Admissions Open Until September 30
According to the current admission policy, online admission for class 9 for the academic session 2025–26 will remain open until September 30. The regular admission fee is ₹350. Similarly, applications for class 10 and 12 board exams must also be submitted by September 30, with a regular fee of ₹1200.
Conclusion
This situation highlights the unintended consequences of the new age-based entry rules. Students who have excelled academically may now face setbacks purely due to age criteria. Education authorities are under pressure to provide a solution, as affected students and schools seek age relaxation to ensure uninterrupted education and eligibility for scholarships.