The Directorate of Education (DoE), Delhi, has officially announced a significant change in the school admission policy. Starting from the academic year 2026-27, the minimum age for Class 1 admission in Delhi will be 6 years as of March 31 of the admission year. This new rule aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and will be uniformly applied across all government, government-aided, and private unaided schools recognized by the DoE. This marks a major shift in Delhi's school system to align with national standards for early childhood education.
This directive is a direct result of the NEP 2020's emphasis on strengthening early childhood education. The policy recommends a 5+3+3+4 curricular structure, starting with five years of foundational learning. This foundational stage includes three years of preschool, followed by two years of Grades 1 and 2. To ensure students are cognitively prepared for formal schooling, the NEP recommends that children should only enter Class 1 after turning six years old. Delhi's recent circular aims to synchronize its educational framework with this national vision.
According to a senior official from the Delhi DoE, this move is in line with the NEP's scientific approach to learning readiness, ensuring children have sufficient foundational exposure before formal academics begin.
The implementation of this new age rule will have a widespread impact, influencing preschool admission planning for parents, age-appropriate curriculum adjustments in kindergarten and nursery levels, and admission timelines across both private and public school systems.
Parents with children currently in nursery or lower kindergarten need to ensure their child is 6 years old by March 31, 2026, to be eligible for Class 1 admission. Previously, some private unaided schools followed varied cut-off dates or admitted children younger than 6. The new circular eliminates this inconsistency and mandates standard compliance across all schools.
In February 2023, the Union Education Ministry directed all states and union territories to set the minimum age for Class 1 admission at 6 years. Many state governments and Kendriya Vidyalayas (KV) have already implemented this rule. Delhi's implementation will bring it in line with these national norms.
Under the NEP, the structure of education in schools is being changed from the 10+2 system to a 5+3+3+4 pattern. The Delhi Directorate of Education has also decided to make three years of pre-primary education mandatory, referred to as "Balvatika" under the NEP 2020.
The restructuring of the foundational stage includes specific age criteria for each level:
Therefore, admission to Class 1 will only be allowed upon completion of six years of age starting from the academic year 2026-27.
The Directorate of Education has issued a circular and will send detailed guidelines for the next session to schools in due course. To ensure the new system is effective and representative, the Directorate is seeking suggestions from all concerned parties, including school managements, teachers, and parents. Stakeholders are invited to submit their inputs and suggestions via email to schoolbranchnep@gmail.com by July 10, 2025.
By implementing this uniform age criteria, the Delhi government aims to provide a strong foundation for children's education, aligning with the goals of the National Education Policy 2020 and the Right to Education Act, 2009.
