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Kerala Government Takes Steps to Lessen School Bag Weight

The Kerala government is taking significant steps to address the issue of heavy school bags, which have become a concern for students and educators. With a meeting scheduled for November 24, officials are exploring various measures, including changes in textbook printing and the implementation of weight guidelines. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 stipulates that a school bag should not exceed 10% of a child's body weight. This article delves into the proposed strategies and the specific weight limits set for different grade levels, as well as the introduction of 'bagless days' to alleviate the burden on students.
By Ambika Singh Oct 27, 2026, 14:42 IST

Efforts to Address Heavy School Bags



In line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, regulations have been established regarding the maximum weight of school bags. Despite the Ministry of Education's guidelines, the growing number of textbooks due to academic demands has resulted in heavier bags, raising concerns among students and educators alike. To tackle this issue, the Kerala government has formulated a strategy aimed at reducing school bag weight, with a meeting scheduled for November 24 to discuss potential measures.


Upcoming Meeting on November 24

N. Shamsudheen, Kerala’s Minister for General Education, announced on Monday that a meeting will take place on November 24 to deliberate on strategies for minimizing school bag weight. He indicated that these strategies may involve modifications in how textbooks are printed and distributed.


This announcement came in response to a request from K.K. Valsaraj, an MLA from the Communist Party of India (CPI), who raised concerns about the burdensome weight of school bags faced by high school students, particularly those from a government school in the Kaipamangalam assembly constituency.


Proposed Changes in Textbook Printing

Shamsudheen noted that the department is already considering ways to alleviate the weight of school bags, having discussed this in a prior meeting. One suggestion being explored is to organize the syllabus and print textbooks on a monthly or half-yearly basis, which could significantly lighten the load for students. Additionally, the department is investigating the use of lighter paper for printing textbooks.


Weight Guidelines for School Bags

According to the Ministry of Education's guidelines and the NEP 2020, a school bag's weight should not exceed 10% of a child's body weight. For example, if a child weighs 30 kilograms, their bag should not surpass 3 kilograms. The specific weight limits for school bags by grade level are as follows:


Weight Limits by Grade:



  • Pre-primary: No bag


  • Classes 1 and 2: 1.6 to 2.2 kilograms


  • Classes 3 to 5: 1.7 to 2.5 kilograms


  • Classes 6 and 7: 2 to 3 kilograms


  • Class 8: 2.5 to 4 kilograms


  • Classes 9 and 10: 2.5 to 4.5 kilograms


  • Classes 11 and 12: 3.5 to 5 kilograms



Implementation of 'Bagless Days'

The government is increasingly concerned about the heavy school bags. In response, the central government has mandated that schools observe 10 'bagless days' each academic year. Additionally, it is now compulsory for schools to have weighing scales available to measure the weight of school bags.


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