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Rc.No. ESE02/564/2022-SCERT · 10-11-2026

AP School Bag Weight SOP 2026: Ideal Bag Weight Class-wise

New guidelines from the Director of School Education, AP: class-wise bag weight limits, the 10% rule, homework limits, No Bag Day and duties for HMs, teachers and parents.

≤10%of Body Weight

Every SatNo Bag Day

0Homework Class 1–2

MonthlyBag Weight Audit

📢 School Bag Policy-2020 to be implemented in all AP schools · Bag weight must not exceed 10% of a child's body weight · Digital weighing machine and School Bag Monitoring Committee in every school · Treat as Most Urgent

The Director of School Education, Andhra Pradesh, has issued proceedings Rc.No. ESE02/564/2022-SCERT dated 10-11-2026 with guidelines and a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for School Bag Weight Management. The order puts the School Bag Policy-2020 into effect in all schools in the state and asks RJDs, DEOs and school managements to follow it "in letter and spirit without any deviation".

Heavy school bags are a common cause of backache in children. They make children lean forward, which strains the neck, shoulders and back. This article explains the ideal school bag weight for each class, the homework limits, and what every head master, teacher and parent now has to do.

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📑 In this article

1. Key highlights
2. Class-wise bag weight
3. Steps already taken
4. Guidelines for schools
5. Homework limits
6. Roles & responsibilities
7. Monitoring & safety
8. FAQs

AP School Bag Weight SOP – Key Highlights

Issued byDirector of School Education, AP

ProceedingsRc.No. ESE02/564/2022-SCERT

Date10 November 2026

Policy basisSchool Bag Policy-2020, NEP 2020

Applies toPre-primary to Class XII

Golden ruleBag ≤ 10% of body weight

Download SOP PDF

teachersbook.in

Ideal School Bag Weight Class-wise (AP SOP 2026)

The SOP sets these recommended bag weights. Whatever the class, the bag must never weigh more than 10% of the child's body weight.

Pre-primary

No school bag

Class I–II

1.6 – 2.2 kg

Class III–V

1.7 – 2.5 kg

Class VI–VII

2 – 3 kg

Class VIII

2.5 – 4 kg

Class IX–X

2.5 – 4.5 kg

Class XI–XII

3.5 – 5 kg

Class Level	Recommended Bag Weight
Pre-primary	No school bag
Classes I–II	1.6 – 2.2 kg
Classes III–V	1.7 – 2.5 kg
Classes VI–VII	2 – 3 kg
Class VIII	2.5 – 4 kg
Classes IX–X	2.5 – 4.5 kg
Classes XI–XII	3.5 – 5 kg

💡 Quick check for parents: if your child weighs 30 kg, the school bag should weigh no more than 3 kg (10%). International bodies recommend keeping it between 5% and 10% of body weight.

Steps Already Taken by the AP School Education Department

1

Merged textbooks: Classes I–II get one book for all subjects. Classes III–V get one book for languages and one for non-language subjects. Classes VI–IX get one book for all languages, with separate books for Maths, Science and Social Studies.

2

Semester system: Sem-1 runs June to October and Sem-2 runs November to March, so children carry only half the books at a time.

3

Period allocation and weightage for Classes I–X are included in the academic calendar, so heads can plan timetables with the bag policy in mind.

4

NO BAG DAY every Saturday for Classes I–IX, with a mix of academic reinforcement, extracurricular activities and holistic development.

New Guidelines for Schools (a to m)

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Design the timetable around School Bag Policy-2020 so students carry the minimum weight.

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Use experiential learning and project work (as in NEP-2020), where students collect materials from their surroundings instead of carrying books.

✓

No homework for Classes 1 and 2.

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Classes 3–5 write homework directly in their curriculum-based workbooks.

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For Classes 6–10, give homework subject by subject on fixed days so fewer books go home.

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High school students may use long notebooks from both sides for two subjects.

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Teachers should announce each day's subjects so students carry only those books.

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Carry only the current semester's textbooks. After Semester-I assessment, switch to Semester-II books only.

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Keep books, workbooks, dictionaries, reference books and practice material in boxes or shelves at school wherever possible.

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Head teachers and teachers must regularly check that bag weight stays within the policy limit.

Homework Limits as per the SOP

Stage	Maximum Homework
Primary (up to Class II)	No homework
Classes III–V	2 hours a week
Classes VI–VIII	1 hour a day (about 5–6 hours a week)
Secondary & Higher Secondary	2 hours a day (about 10–12 hours a week)

Roles and Responsibilities

Who	What they must do
DEO	Share the SOP with all schools, form a district-level monitoring committee, and hold review meetings with MEOs.
Dy.EO / MEO	Orient school heads, check implementation during inspections, and make sure timetables include bag-less hours.
School Management	Provide a digital weighing machine, almirahs or lockers, and drinking water (to cut bottle weight), and form a School Bag Monitoring Committee.
Head of Institution	Ensure SOP compliance, run monthly bag weight audits, display weight charts in classrooms, and enforce the timetable.
Teachers	Tell students in advance which books to bring, avoid extra books and guides, plan smart timetables, check bags, and avoid duplicate homework.
Parents	Follow the timetable, make sure only required items go in the bag, encourage wearing it on both shoulders, and watch for signs of back or posture problems.
Students	Follow the timetable and leave unnecessary items at home.

Monitoring, Safety and Infrastructure

Weekly monitoring and monthly audit

1

Random bag weight checks on sample students.

2

Compare each bag with the 10% body weight rule.

3

Record results in the School Bag Weight Register.

4

Report deviations to the head. Non-compliance is handled through teacher guidance, parent counselling and timetable revision.

Safety rules for school bags

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Two padded shoulder straps and proper compartments.

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No carrying on one shoulder.

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Avoid trolley bags, which are unsafe on stairs.

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Storage facilities for differently abled students.

Every school must have a digital weighing machine, classroom storage or lockers, lightweight textbooks and drinking water facilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ideal school bag weight as per the AP SOP 2026?

It ranges from 1.6–2.2 kg for Classes I–II up to 3.5–5 kg for Classes XI–XII. Pre-primary children should carry no bag. The bag must never exceed 10% of the child's body weight.

Is homework allowed for Class 1 and 2 in AP schools?

No. The guidelines say no homework should be given to Classes 1 and 2.

When is No Bag Day in Andhra Pradesh schools?

No Bag Day is every Saturday for students of Classes I to IX.

Who checks school bag weight in schools?

The Head of Institution runs monthly audits, teachers check bags periodically, and a School Bag Monitoring Committee is formed in every school. Results go in the School Bag Weight Register.

What are the proceedings number and date of the order?

Rc.No. ESE02/564/2022-SCERT, dated 10-11-2026, issued by the Director of School Education, Andhra Pradesh.

Are trolley bags allowed?

The SOP advises avoiding trolley bags because they are unsafe on stairs. Bags should have two padded shoulder straps.

Conclusion

The AP School Bag Weight SOP 2026 turns School Bag Policy-2020 into clear daily practice: class-wise weight limits, the 10% body weight rule, homework caps, Saturday No Bag Days and monthly audits. In line with NEP 2020 and the Yashpal Committee's idea of "Learning Without Burden", the aim is healthier children and a more joyful classroom. Head masters and teachers should download the SOP PDF above, set up the monitoring committee and register, and share the rules with parents straight away.

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Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and summarises the proceedings Rc.No. ESE02/564/2022-SCERT dated 10-11-2026 and the attached SOP. We are not affiliated with the Department of School Education or SCERT, Andhra Pradesh. Always refer to the original proceedings and official departmental communication before acting. The health information here is general and is not medical advice; consult a doctor if your child has back or posture pain.