The Delhi government is set to revolutionize the admission process for primary education, starting with a uniform age requirement of 6 years and above for Class 1 from the 2026-2027 academic year. This bold move aims to standardize the entry criteria across all government, government-aided, and recognized private schools under the Directorate of Education (DoE).
But here's where it gets interesting: the changes don't stop there. The government will also revise the age criteria for the foundational stage, which currently includes Nursery, KG, and Class 1, with varying minimum admission ages. The new structure will align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, setting minimum and maximum ages for each grade.
For instance, the minimum and maximum ages for Nursery (Balvatika 1/Pre-School 1) will be 3 and 4 years, respectively. Lower KG (Balvatika 2/Pre-School 2) will be for children aged 4 to 5 years, Upper KG (Balvatika 3/Pre-School 3) for 5 to 6 years, and Class 1 for 6 to 7 years. However, school heads can grant a one-month age relaxation for admission from Nursery to Class 1.
It's important to note that the new age criteria won't apply to students currently in the 2025-2026 academic session. Lower KG and Upper KG will only come into effect from 2027-2028. This means students in Nursery, KG, and Class 1 in 2025-2026 will be promoted to the next class as per the current structure in 2026-2027.
The admissions for KG in the 2026-2027 academic year will be open to children aged 4 years and above as of March 31, 2026. Additionally, students who have passed a previous class from a recognized school with a valid School Leaving Certificate (SLC) and mark sheet will be exempt from the age-appropriate criteria when applying for the next higher class.
The Directorate of Education has already informed school heads about the restructuring of the foundational stage and the uniform age requirement for Class 1. They have been instructed to clearly communicate these changes to parents and ensure strict adherence to the revised age criteria for admissions and student progression.
This significant reform in Delhi's education system is a step towards a more standardized and fair admission process, potentially impacting the lives of countless young learners.
