Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has upheld the state government’s revised academic calendar, paving the way for the new academic year to begin on April 7, 2025. The ruling dismisses a petition filed by three parents who had challenged the state government’s March 28, 2025 notification, which advanced the start of the academic year.
The petitioners had argued that holding classes during the peak summer months would negatively affect students’ health, but the court found no merit in these concerns. In its judgment, the court accepted the government’s assurance that classes would run only until 11:30 AM until April 30, 2025, in order to mitigate the impact of the summer heat on students.
Under the new academic schedule, Classes VI to X and Class XII will begin on April 7, while Classes I to V and Class XI will start in June. The state government has emphasized that this earlier start aligns Goa’s academic calendar with national standards, a move that officials believe will benefit students preparing for competitive exams.
This decision follows a similar dismissal of a petition on March 24, 2025, filed by Manuel Sidney Antao and seven other parents. They had contested a Directorate of Education circular issued on January 30, 2025, which they claimed violated the Goa Education Act of 1984. Like the previous case, the court found no grounds to intervene.
The petitions were sparked by protests from a section of parents, activists, and the academic community who opposed the revised calendar. Critics argued that the decision was made without proper consultation with key stakeholders, but the court maintained that the government’s measures were appropriate and in line with broader educational goals.
With the court’s ruling, the state government is moving forward with its plans for an early start to the academic year, with the aim of bringing Goa’s academic calendar in line with national practices.
