The Madhya Pradesh government has decided to reduce the weight of school bags under a new policy that also exempts students of 1.30 lakh schools in the state from carrying bags once a week, according to an official circular.

Students of Classes I and II will carry school bags weighing 1.6kg to 2.2kg while Classes III, IV and V from 1.7kg to 2.5kg. Students of Classes VI and VII will carry school bags weighing 2kg to 3kg, Class VIII from 2.5kg to 4kg, and Classes IX and X from 2.5kg to 4.5kg.