The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) in Bangladesh has issued an urgent circular revising age regulations for student admissions from grades one to nine in both government and private secondary schools for the 2026 academic year. According to the updated directive, based on the National Education Policy 2010, students must be at least six years old to enroll in grade one. However, for the 2026 session, the minimum age is set at five years as of January 1, 2026, and the maximum at seven years as of December 31, 2026. Applicants must submit a verified copy of their online birth registration certificate with their admission form. Additionally, students with special needs will be allowed up to five extra years in age consideration. The DSHE emphasized that the online application process for admissions is currently ongoing across all metropolitan, district, and upazila-level schools under its jurisdiction.