The Delhi government is set to implement a uniform minimum age of 6 years for admission to Class 1 in all government, government-aided, and recognized unaided private schools under the Directorate of Education (DoE) starting from the academic session 2026-27. This decision aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, which emphasize the restructuring of the foundational stage of education.
The new rule mandates that a child must have completed six years of age to be eligible for admission to Class 1 from the academic year 2026-27 onwards. To ensure a smooth transition, the foundational stage, which includes Nursery, Lower Kindergarten (LKG), and Upper Kindergarten (UKG), will be reorganized, and the age criteria for these classes will also be revised.
Under the revised age criteria, new admissions to KG in the 2026-27 academic year will require children to be four years old. This adjustment is part of a broader restructuring of pre-primary education to include three years of pre-primary learning before a child enters Class 1. The policy implementation outlines the following age criteria for pre-primary admissions: * Nursery (Bal Vatika/Preschool 1): 3+ years * Lower KG (Bal Vatika/Preschool 2): 4+ years * Upper KG (Bal Vatika/Preschool 3): 5+ years
The DoE has clarified that the nomenclature of pre-primary classes (Nursery, LKG, and UKG) is flexible and may be revised as deemed necessary by the schools. The primary goal of this restructuring is to ensure that children are adequately prepared for formal schooling and enter Class 1 at an appropriate age.
The Delhi government has informed all heads of government, government-aided, and recognized unaided private schools under the DoE about these revised directions for the foundational stage and the implementation of the uniform age for Class 1 admissions. The DoE has also emphasized that the foundational stage admission process will be regulated according to the NEP structure. This move is expected to standardize education age requirements across all types of schools in Delhi. By aligning with the NEP 2020, the Delhi government aims to create a more robust and age-appropriate educational foundation for young children, ensuring they are ready for the challenges of formal schooling.
