Why do academic years start in different months for schools?

Don't worry too much about the start date, focus more on the syllabus coverage. Whether it starts in April or June, the board exams remain the same for everyone. Just make sure the school is consistent with their internal assessment dates.

I have seen this confusion too! I think it is also about the board mapping. CBSE guidelines generally recommend an April start, but many private schools in South India have stuck to the June cycle for decades to align with the local state government academic calendars. Are you planning to move your child to a school with an April cycle?

It's mostly logistical. Most national chains want to maintain a uniform curriculum timeline, so they follow the April start regardless of location. It can be a bit of a headache if you are transferring mid-year, though. We faced this when moving from Gurgaon to Chennai; my son had to repeat a few chapters because of the overlap!

My nephew goes to a KV and they definitely start in April. I prefer that because it keeps the kids busy during the peak heat when they can't even play outside anyway. Our school here follows the June cycle and I honestly find the long summer break in May quite taxing to manage at home.

Actually, it mainly depends on the climatic conditions. In the North, the extreme heat during May and June makes it impossible to hold classes, which is why KVs and other Delhi-based boards prefer starting in April. Down South, the monsoon hits by June, so schools prefer to finish the summer holidays just before the heavy rains start. My daughter is in a CBSE school in Bangalore and they follow the June cycle strictly for this reason.