Karnataka Launches Balvatika Guidelines, CCTV Safety, and NCPCR Mandates for Preschools

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY & CONTEXT FOR PARENTS

The Karnataka Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL) has issued a comprehensive set of directives that will reshape early childhood education (ECE) across the state. In a single notification, the government rolled out the Balvatika Early Childhood Education Programme (ECEP) guidelines, mandated the installation of CCTV cameras in all preschools, and reinforced the National Child Protection and Child Rights (NCPCR) framework for child safety and welfare. These changes come in the wake of the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), which emphasizes well-rounded, play‑based learning for children aged 3–6 years, and the State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT) guidelines that stress teacher competency and infrastructure standards. For parents, the most immediate impact is on admission timelines. Balvatika enrolment will now begin in September for the academic year 2025‑26, with a staggered intake to accommodate 3‑year‑old, 4‑year‑old, and 5‑year‑old cohorts separately. Schools must now submit a Balvatika registration form to DSEL by 30 October, and the finalised list of approved preschools will be published in early November. Parents should also be aware that schools are required to provide a detailed curriculum map aligned with NEP 2020 learning outcomes, including sensory, motor,