The Directorate of Education (DoE), GNCT of Delhi has instructed to apply a minimum age of 6 years for Class 1 admissions from the academic session 2026-27 as per provisions of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009. It is also indicated that the foundational stage has been adjusted to incorporate three years of pre-primary education before Class 1.
The NEP 2020 has provided a new structure of 5+3+3+4 instead of 10 +2 by re-organizing school education into four stages of development: five years of foundational stage, three years of preparatory stage, three years of middle stage and four years of secondary stage.
The DoE has now informed all Heads of Government, Government-Aided, and Recognized Unaided Private Schools to start the changes from academic session 2026-27.
As per the NEP 2020, the Foundational Stages of school education will be restructured, including the establishment of three years of pre-primary education before Class 1. Schools will accept children into Nursery (Bal Vatika/Preschool 1) at age 3; Lower KG (Bal Vatika/Preschool 2) or age 4; and the last pre-primary level includes Upper KG (Bal Vatika/Preschool 3) for children aged 5.
“A child may be admitted to Class I only upon completion of 6 years of age from Academic Session 2026-27 onwards” the official circular stated.
In order to make the process more participatory and inclusive, all stakeholders – including teachers, parents, students, School Management Committees, educational institutions, school associations, professionals, subject experts, scholars and the general public – are invited to share their recommendations before July 10, 2025.
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