Published on October 25 , 2025
Delhi, India
In a significant step toward aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Delhi Directorate of Education (DoE) has introduced uniform age criteria for early schooling. Effective from the 2026-27 academic session, children must be at least 6 years old to enter Class 1, emphasizing play-based foundational learning before formal academics. This reform applies to all government, government-aided, and recognized unaided private schools, aiming to foster cognitive, emotional, and social readiness. Below is a structured overview of the policy, its rationale, and implementation details.
Policy Overview and Key Changes
The DoE’s circular, issued on October 24, 2025, restructures the foundational stage (ages 3-8) to replace the traditional 10+2 model with NEP’s 5+3+3+4 framework. This ensures consistent age-appropriate admissions across Delhi schools.
- Uniform Age for Class 1: Children must complete 6 years by March 31 of the admission year (e.g., March 31, 2026, for 2026-27 session).
- Phased Foundational Stage Expansion: Current two-year pre-primary (Nursery + KG) extends to three years, with flexible nomenclature (e.g., Balvatika 1-3 or Pre-School 1-3).
- School-Wide Applicability: Mandatory for all DoE-affiliated institutions; no variations allowed.
- RTE Act Alignment: Complies with the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, which guarantees free education from age 6.
This shift addresses past inconsistencies where private schools often admitted younger children, leading to mismatched learning trajectories.
Revised Age Criteria for Foundational Stage
Under NEP 2020, the foundational stage prioritizes holistic development through play, stories, and activities over rote learning. Here’s the new age band structure:
| Stage/Class | Age Range (as of March 31) | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Nursery (Balvatika 1/Pre-School 1) | 3-4 years | Sensory exploration, basic motor skills, and social interaction. |
| Lower KG (Balvatika 2/Pre-School 2) | 4-5 years | Language introduction, simple counting, and creative play. |
| Upper KG (Balvatika 3/Pre-School 3) | 5-6 years | Pre-literacy/numeracy, emotional regulation, and group activities. |
| Class 1 | 6-7 years | Transition to formal reading, writing, and basic academics. |
- Flexibility Note: School heads can relax age limits by up to one month for inclusivity.
- Implementation Timeline:
- 2026-27: Nursery and KG admissions open to 3+ and 4+ year-olds, respectively; Class 1 strictly 6+.
- 2027-28: Full introduction of Lower KG and Upper KG with age-specific entry.
No textbooks for ages 3-6; emphasis on multilingualism (mother tongue/home language until Grade 5) and foundational literacy/numeracy by Grade 3.
Benefits of the Age-Aligned Policy
This reform draws from global evidence showing delayed formal entry reduces early stress and enhances long-term outcomes.
- Developmental Readiness: Extra pre-primary year builds emotional resilience and problem-solving, curbing dropout risks.
- Equity Across Schools: Levels the field between public and private institutions, reducing admission frenzy.
- NEP Synergy: Supports universal foundational literacy by 2025, with play-based pedagogies boosting engagement.
- Long-Term Gains: Studies indicate age-6 entrants show 15-20% better retention in literacy and math by Grade 5.
Experts highlight this as a “structural correction” for early education, previously criticized for rushing children into desks too soon.
Impact on Current and Transfer Students
To ensure smooth transitions, the policy includes safeguards for ongoing enrollments.
- Existing Students (2025-26): Nursery, KG, and Class 1 pupils promote to the next grade without age checks in 2026-27.
- Transfers: Exempt if backed by a valid School Leaving Certificate (SLC) and marksheet from a recognized school.
- No Disruptions: Current structure holds until full phasing; no mid-year changes.
Schools must update admission forms and host parent orientations to clarify these provisions.
