From 2026 to 2027, the Delhi government will enforce a uniform entry age of six years for Class 1
Beginning with the academic year 2026–2027, the Delhi government will establish a common entry age of six years for Class 1 in all government, government-aided, and approved unaided private schools under the DoE.
In accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, it will also gradually update the age requirements for the foundational level starting the next year.
The Directorate of Education (DoE) has released a circular stating that the foundational level now consists of two classes: Nursery and KG, followed by Class 1. The minimal ages for admission are three, four, and five years old, respectively.
According to the updated structure, students must be between the ages of three and four to be admitted to Nursery (Balvatika 1/Pre-School 1), Lower KG (Balvatika 2/Pre-School 2), Upper KG (Balvatika 3/Pre-School 3) (ages five and six), and Class 1 (ages six and seven) by March 31.
However, the minimum and maximum age requirements for enrollment from Nursery to Class 1 may be relaxed by the school's head for a maximum of one month.
The circular also stated that students enrolled in the current academic year (2025–2026) will not be subject to the increased age requirements. Additionally, the Lower KG and Upper KG classes won't exist until 2027–2028.
This implies that, in accordance with the current structure, the Nursery, KG, and level 1 pupils of 2025–2026 will be promoted to the next higher level in 2026–2027.
It is important to remember that children who are 4 years old (as of March 31, 2026) will be eligible to apply for new admissions to KG (for the academic year 2026–27).
Additionally, when applying for admission to the next higher class, pupils who have passed the previous class from any recognized school and have a valid School Leaving Certificate (SLC) and mark sheet will not need to meet the age-appropriate requirements.
According to the circular, Lower KG (Balvatika 2/Pre-School 2) and Upper KG (Balvatika 3/Pre-School 3) would only be offered starting in the academic year 2027–2028. Admission to these classes will be determined by the aforementioned age requirements.
According to the circular, all school heads had already been informed about the restructuring of the foundational stage and the implementation of a uniform age of entry of 6 years in Class 1.
Through the circular, the Directorate has instructed all school heads to strictly adhere to the updated age requirements for admissions and student advancement and to fully communicate these changes to parents.
