Set grade 1 admission age at 6+ years from 2024-25 session, Centre asks states, UTs

Last year in February, the MoE reiterated its directions to state governments and Union Territories (UTs) to set 6+ as the age for admission to grade 1.

The Ministry of Education (MoE), in a letter, has asked all state governments and Union Territories (UTs) to ensure that the age of admission to Grade 1 is 6+ years from the 2024-25 session onwards.

National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 recommends strengthening the learning of children at the ‘foundational stage’ as a national priority. The foundational stage consists of five years of learning for all children aged 3 to 8 – three years of pre-school education and two years of early primary grade 1 and grade 2.

Last year in February, the MoE reiterated its directions to state governments and Union Territories (UTs) to set 6+ as the age for admission to grade 1.

“I would like to invite your kind attention to this Department's D.O. letter No, 9-2/20-IS-3 dated 31.03.2021 followed by D.O. letter of even number date 99.02.2023 (copies enclosed) wherein all States/Ul's were requested to align the age of admission as per the provision contained in National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 and ensure admission to Grade-1 at the age of 6+ year,” read the letter dated February 15, 2024.

“The session 2024-25 is soon to begin when new admissions will take place. It is expected that the age in your State/UT has now been aligned to 6+ for admission to Grade 1, accordingly,” it added.