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Delhi Schools to Enforce Uniform 6+ Admission Age for Class 1 from 2026

Starting from the 2026–27 academic session, all Delhi schools—government, aided, and private—will implement a uniform admission age of 6+ years for Class 1, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The Directorate of Education will also revise pre-primary age criteria in phases.

By : EduAdvice 2025-10-25 14:12:32

 Delhi Schools to Implement Uniform Admission Age of 6+ Years for Class 1 from 2026

New Delhi: The Delhi government has announced that a uniform minimum admission age of 6+ years for Class 1 will be implemented across all schools in the capital from the 2026–27 academic session. The directive applies to all government, government-aided, and recognised private schools under the Directorate of Education (DoE).

This major policy shift is part of Delhi’s transition to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which redefines the foundational stage of schooling to ensure consistency and age-appropriate learning across India.

New Age Framework for the Foundational Stage

Currently, Delhi schools admit children at the following minimum ages: 3+ years for Nursery, 4+ for Kindergarten (KG), and 5+ for Class 1. Under the revised framework, the structure will align with the NEP’s 5+3+3+4 model, which establishes a structured early education system.

The new minimum and maximum age criteria (as on March 31 of the academic year) will be:

  • Nursery (Balvatika 1 / Pre-School 1): 3 to 4 years
  • Lower KG (Balvatika 2 / Pre-School 2): 4 to 5 years
  • Upper KG (Balvatika 3 / Pre-School 3): 5 to 6 years
  • Class 1: 6 to 7 years

Heads of schools will have limited flexibility to grant up to one month of age relaxation on either side of the prescribed limits from Nursery to Class 1.

Implementation and Transition Plan

According to the Directorate’s circular, the revised age policy will not affect students of the 2025–26 session. Those already enrolled in Nursery, KG, or Class 1 will continue under the existing structure when promoted in 2026–27.

The Lower KG and Upper KG classes will be officially introduced from the 2027–28 academic session, while KG admissions in 2026–27 will remain open to children aged 4+ years as on March 31, 2026.

Additionally, students transferring from recognised schools with a valid School Leaving Certificate (SLC) and marksheet will be exempted from the age rule when admitted to the next higher class.

Schools Instructed to Inform Parents

The Directorate of Education has directed all school heads to inform parents well in advance about the upcoming changes and ensure strict compliance during future admissions.

Officials clarified that this decision aims to standardize the school entry age across Delhi in line with the NEP 2020, which envisions a uniform and developmentally appropriate educational structure nationwide.

The new age policy is expected to bring greater parity with other states and strengthen the foundational stage of learning for young children across Delhi.

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