Delhi Government Sets Minimum Age for Class 1 Admission at 6 Years from Academic Year 2026-27
The Delhi government has taken a significant step towards implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. From the 2026-27 academic session, the minimum age for admission to Class 1 in the capital will be six years. This decision clarifies that children will be eligible for Class 1 admission only after completing three years of pre-primary education: Nursery, Lower KG (LKG), and Upper KG (UKG). This rule will apply equally to all government, aided, and private schools in Delhi.
New Rule and Implementation Date
Previously, many Delhi schools admitted children to Class 1 at the age of four or five. This system has been completely revised. Under the new rule, effective from 2026-27, a child must be at least six years old to be admitted to Class 1. This means children will enter Nursery at age three, LKG at four, UKG at five, and finally Class 1 at six.
Three Essential Stages of Pre-Primary Education
According to the Delhi government's new system, a child's educational journey will now progress through the following stages:
- Nursery: Entry age 3 years
- Lower KG (LKG): Entry age 4 years
- Upper KG (UKG): Entry age 5 years
- Class 1: Entry age 6 years
By adopting this process, the government aims to better prepare children mentally, socially, and intellectually before formal schooling.
Decision Aligns with NEP and NCF-FS
This change is in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework – Foundational Stage (NCF-FS). These policies consider the age group of 3 to 8 years as the 'Foundational Stage' of education, recommending play-based, activity-based, and exploratory learning.
The government believes that if children fully experience this stage before entering formal education, their intellectual abilities and comprehension will be better developed.
Rationale for the Change
Experts and education policymakers believe that currently, most children enter formal education at a very young age, leaving their mental, emotional, and social development incomplete. Brain development is rapid until the age of six, and providing children with relaxed, engaging, and activity-based learning during this period makes them more confident and knowledge-seeking.
Furthermore, until now, the age of entry for Class 1 varied across different states, leading to inconsistencies in curriculum, mental maturity, and assessment. The Delhi government's move could be crucial in standardizing education levels.
Impact on Schools and Parents
This decision will require all Delhi schools to restructure their pre-primary education into three stages. Schools currently offering only Nursery and KG classes will need to introduce LKG and UKG classes.
While this change may initially present some challenges for parents, it's considered crucial for children's proper development in the long term. Many private schools have already adopted this system, but now it will be mandatory for all.
Government Seeks Suggestions
Vedita Reddy, Director of the Delhi Directorate of Education, stated that the government is seeking suggestions from all stakeholders before implementing this decision. Teachers, parents, school management committees, and the general public can send their suggestions to the government by July 10, 2025, using the email ID [email protected].
Response from Educationists and Experts
Education experts have welcomed this decision. They believe it will strengthen children's foundational skills and prepare them mentally for formal education, ultimately improving the quality of education.
Some educational institutions have expressed concern that implementing a three-tiered pre-primary education system might be challenging for smaller schools in terms of resources and trained teachers. However, the state government has indicated its willingness to provide training and structural support to schools in need.
