The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has said boys and children who do not identify with a particular gender should be allowed to grow and groom their hair according to their preferences. Schools have been directed not to harass, exclude, humiliate or discriminate against students because of hair length or grooming choices.
The commission said students can keep their hair long as long as it is clean, safe and does not obstruct their vision or cover the face. Schools may require students to tie or secure long hair during laboratory sessions, sports and practical classes for safety reasons. The use of potentially harmful hair chemicals or dyes was also discouraged.
The order, issued by commission member P Shajesh Bhaskar, followed two petitions concerning school grooming rules. One alleged discriminatory treatment of boys with long hair, while another involved an 11th-grade student who repeatedly declined requests to cut his hair.
The commission said schools should prioritise education, academic development and personality building rather than appearance. It also noted the apparent absence of specific Kerala Education Department or CBSE guidelines on hair length in this context and called for guidelines to be prepared urgently. The drafting process should include affected children and consider their views. Authorities have been asked to submit an action-taken report within 45 days.
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