Minimum age for class 1 admission set at 6 yrs from '26-'27

STARTING academic session 2026-27, children in Delhi will begin Class 1 only after turning six, marking a major restructuring of the early education system across the city.

- IFRAH MUFTI @ New Delhi

All government, governmentaided, and recognised private schools under the Directorate of Education (DoE), will now follow a uniform entry age of 6+ years for Class 1, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The DoE issued a circular on Saturday detailing how the transition will unfold in a phased manner.

Currently, Delhi schools admit children to Nursery at 3+ years, Kindergarten (KG) at 4+, and Class 1 at 5+. However, under the revised framework, the foundational s ta g e wil l consist of five years of early lear ning—three years of pre-school (Nursery, Lower KG, and Upper KG) followed by Classes 1 and 2.

The new criteria will not apply to students of the 2025-26 session. Children already enrolled in Nursery, KG, or Class 1 during that year will move up as per the current age structure, ensuring no child is forced to repeat a grade.

Interestingly, the Lower KG and Upper KG classes will only be introduced in 2027-28, completing the new five-year foundational cycle. This means that for 2026-27, the entry-level admission (KG) will be open for children aged 4+ years as of March 31, 2026.