Govt. to implement uniform admission age of six years for Class 1 from next year

The Delhi government has decided to implement a uniform minimum age of six years for admission to Class 1 and restructure the “foundational stage” of school education in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Right to Education (RTE) Act 2009, starting from the 2026-27 academic session.

The announcement was made by the Directorate of Education (DoE) in a circular issued on Friday, which stated that detailed directions regarding the implementation of the measures would be shared with schools shortly.

The NEP defines the first five years of formal education as the “foundational stage”, comprising nursery, lower kindergarten (“pre-school 1”), upper kindergarten (“pre-school 2”), Class 1, and Class 2.

Under the new policy, a new grade will be added in schools. The minimum age of admission to nursery will be over three years, four years above for lower kindergarten, and over five years for upper kindergarten.

The current structure stipulates a minimum age of three years for nursery, four years for kindergarten and five years for Class 1.

Multiple States have already implemented the restructured model.

Government officials stated that the NEP structure had not been implemented in the Capital till now due to logistical challenges, including the creation of new infrastructure.

The DoE stated that all government, government-aided and recognised unaided private schools are expected to comply with the revised age criteria.

It has invited suggestions from stakeholders, including parents, teachers, students, subject experts, scholars and school management, on schoolbranchnep@gmail.com before July 10.