Delhi schools to admit only 6+ aged kids in Class 1 from 2026. Here's all you need to know

File image

Starting with the 2026-27 academic session, Delhi schools will require children to be at least six years old to enrol in Class 1. The Directorate of Education (DoE) announced the change on October 24, aligning it with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s foundational stage framework, which aims to restructure early schooling in line with the national model.

According to a report by The Indian Express, schools in the national capital had so far been admitting students aged 3 and above in Nursery, 4 and above in KG, and 5 and above in Class 1.

This will replace the current two-year pre-primary setup (Nursery and Kindergarten) with a three-year “Balvatika” system (1, 2, and 3). This move aligns Delhi's foundational stage for children aged 3-8 with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020's 5+3+3+4 schooling structure.

Structure to roll out in stages

The newspaper noted that the transition will be done over three academic years, with schools only admitting three-year-olds to Balvatika 1 and six-year-olds to Class 1.

Over the next two academic years, admissions will expand to include the remaining pre-primary levels: Balvatika 2 for four-year-olds will be added in 2027-28, and Balvatika 3 for five-year-olds will be added in 2028-29.

By the 2028-29 academic year, the full three-year pre-primary system (Balvatika 1-3) will be in place before Class 1, and fresh admissions will be restricted to the new age criteria

What it means for kids already in school

Children admitted under the existing system in the 2025-26 academic session will continue following the current age criteria. As per the report, the revised age norms will be implemented only for new admissions starting from the 2026-27 session.

School heads may grant a relaxation of up to one month in the minimum or maximum age limits. Students transferring from other recognised schools with valid certificates will be exempt from this rule.

Delhi schools gear up for age norm transition

The DoE has instructed all government, aided, and recognised private schools to update their admission forms, notices, and prospectuses to reflect the revised age criteria. Schools have also been asked to inform parents in advance and make necessary infrastructural and staffing preparations to introduce the additional pre-primary year.

Sudha Acharya, principal of ITL Public School, was quoted by IE as saying that private school principals will hold an orientation session for parents. “There is no ambiguity in the DoE’s instructions at all. We expect a very smooth transition from the present system to 5 years of foundational stage,” she said.

In a recent circular, the Directorate of Education (DoE) instructed District Deputy Directors of Education (DDEs) to hold “doubt-clearing sessions” on November 6 and 7 at their respective district offices for all stakeholders — including heads of government, government-aided, and recognised unaided private schools, as well as parents.

States such as Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Assam have already implemented the six-plus age norm for Class 1 admissions. Delhi, which had continued to follow the Delhi School Education Rules of 1973 permitting younger children to enter Class 1, is now aligning with the national standard.