Written Exams Mandatory For Classes Two To Nine
Digital Lottery Retained For Class One Admission
- Digital lottery system retained for Class 1 admissions in government schools.
- Written admission tests introduced for vacant seats from Class 2 to Class 9
- Minimum age requirement set at 5 to 7 years in line with education policy
The Ministry of Education has announced that the digital lottery system will remain active for Class 1 admissions in government schools. However, students seeking admission to vacant seats from Class 2 through Class 9 will be required to sit for competitive written examinations. On Tuesday (October 13, 2026), the ministry published the comprehensive admission policy for government primary and secondary schools spanning grades one to nine, blending automated digital transparency with merit-based evaluations.
According to the policy published by the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE), admissions will be facilitated at entry-level grades and across higher classes up to ninth grade subject to seat availability. In alignment with the National Education Policy 2010, Class 1 admissions require students to be at least '6 plus' years old, with the eligible age range spanning from a minimum of 5 years to a maximum of 7 years as of January 1 of the academic year. Age calculations for other grades will follow a proportional scale.
The policy mandates that applications must include an attested copy of the online birth registration certificate for age verification. A relaxation of up to five years in age limits will be granted for students with special needs. Furthermore, the maximum student capacity for a single section in any class is capped at 55.
Admission Exam Procedures and Mark Distribution
The policy outlines distinct selection protocols:
- Class 1: Student selection must be conducted exclusively through a transparent digital lottery.
- Classes 2 to 9: Students competing for vacant seats in these grades will be selected based on merit rankings determined through written admission tests.
The exam structures and durations are categorized as follows:
- Classes 2 to 5: Total marks will be 50, comprising 15 for Bengali, 15 for English, and 20 for Mathematics, with a duration of 1 hour.
- Classes 6 to 9: Total marks will be 100, comprising 30 for Bengali, 30 for English, and 40 for Mathematics, with a duration of 2 hours.
Educational administrators believe that retaining the digital lottery ensures fairness at the foundational level, while written exams for senior grades safeguard academic rigor.
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