Govt fixes minimum age for Class 1 admission at 6 yrs

The Delhi Government has announced that from the 2026–27 academic session, the minimum age for admission to Class 1 across all government, aided, and recognised private schools in the city will be six years. The Directorate of Education (DoE) issued a circular formalising the change, aligning the capital’s school system with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

According to the new policy, a child must complete six years of age as on March 31 of the year of admission to be eligible for Class 1. The decision is aimed at bringing uniformity in school admissions and ensuring that children begin formal schooling at an age considered developmentally appropriate under the NEP framework.

The DoE has also revised the age structure for the foundational stage, which includes preprimary levels. Under the new criteria, children aged between three and four years will be eligible for Nursery (Balvatika 1), those between four and five years for Lower KG (Balvatika 2), and between five and six years for Upper KG (Balvatika 3). The minimum and maximum age for Class 1 will be six and seven years respectively. School heads have been allowed to grant a relaxation of up to one month in both limits to address borderline cases.

The new norms will come into effect from the 2026–27 session, while students currently enrolled in schools will continue under the existing system. The Directorate clarified that the change will not impact students of the ongoing academic session, and the transition will be implemented gradually. From 2027–28, the restructured Lower KG and Upper KG classes will be operational across schools.

Students transferring from other recognised schools with valid School Leaving Certificates and report cards will be exempted from the new age rule when moving to a higher class. The circular has directed all school authorities to inform parents in advance and ensure strict compliance with the revised age criteria.

“Many parents used to face uncertainty because different schools followed different admission ages for Class 1. This change will finally bring clarity,” said a parent of a nursery student, welcoming the move as a positive reform that ensures children are ready for formal education at the right age.