(With inputs from PTI)
Beginning with the 2026–27 academic session, all schools under the Directorate of Education (DoE) in Delhi will implement a revised minimum age requirement of six years for Class 1 admissions. This directive, aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, is part of a broader restructuring of school education in the national capital.
The NEP 2020 redefines the academic system into a 5+3+3+4 structure, moving away from the traditional 10+2 framework. As per this structure, five years of foundational learning precede three years each of preparatory and middle stages, followed by four years of secondary education.
Pre-Primary Years Reorganised
The foundational stage will now encompass three years of pre-primary education before a child enters Class 1. Children will be admitted to nursery or ‘Bal Vatika’ at the age of three, to Lower KG at four, and Upper KG at five. Class 1 entry will be strictly at six years.
The circular notes that the nomenclature of pre-primary classes may be adapted as per institutional requirements, allowing flexibility in implementation.
Mandatory for All School Types
This policy applies to all government, government-aided, and recognised unaided private schools within the DoE’s jurisdiction. Institutions are expected to realign their admission procedures and foundational curriculum to match the new structure and age criteria.
Stakeholder Feedback Invited
To support a smooth transition, the DoE has initiated a public consultation. It invites suggestions and inputs from parents, teachers, school leaders, educationists, and the general public to help refine the policy’s implementation. All feedback must be submitted by 10 July 2025.
This collaborative step underscores the Department’s commitment to inclusive policy-making and effective reform in early childhood education.
