Starting from the next academic session, Delhi schools will admit children into Class I only after they turn six years old. The Directorate of Education (DoE) notified this change on October 24. This comes in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 Foundation Phase framework to restructure the early years of education to fit the national model.
Delhi schools were so far accepting students aged 3 years and above in nursery, 4 years and above in kindergarten, and 5 years and above in the first semester.
This current two-year pre-primary setup with nursery and kindergarten will be expanded to a three-year system called Vatika 1, 2 and 3. This will be followed by Semester 1, for which the minimum age for entry will now be six years. This brings Delhi Foundation Stage (ages 3 to 8 years) in line with the NEP’s 5+3+3+4 education design.
How will it be rolled out?
The transfer will take place over three academic years. In 2026-2027, schools will start accepting only Vatican 1 (for three-year-olds) and Grade 1 (for six-year-olds). Balvatika 2 (for four-year-olds) and Balvatika 3 (for five-year-olds) will be added in 2027-28 and 2028-29 respectively.
By 2028-29, a full three-year pre-primary structure will be in place before the first term.
Will children enrolled this year be affected?
Children already registered under the old structure will continue during the 2025-26 session under the current age criteria. The new rules will only apply to new admissions from 2026-27 onwards.
School heads can allow relaxations of up to one month in the minimum or maximum age limit, and transfers from other recognized schools with valid certificates will be exempt.
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How do schools prepare?
The Education Department has directed all government schools and recognized private aided schools to update admission forms, notifications and prospectuses to reflect the revised age criteria.
Schools must inform parents in advance and prepare for the changes required in infrastructure and staff to accommodate the additional foundation year.
Principals of private schools will hold an orientation session for parents, said Sudha Acharya, principal, ITL Public School. “There is no ambiguity in the DOE’s instructions at all,” she said. “We expect a very smooth transition from the current system to the 5-year foundation phase.”
In a recent circular, the Education Ministry also directed Deputy District Directors of Education (DDEs) to organize “doubt clearance sessions” for “all concerned including heads of government, government-aided and recognized unaided private schools, parents and all other stakeholders on November 6 and 7 at the respective district offices.”
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How does this fit into the national framework?
This phased shift is in line with the New Education Policy NEP 2020 and the Right to Education Act 2009, both of which set six years as the entry age for first grade. The Foundation Stage emphasizes play-based and activity-based learning during the early years rather than formal academic education.
States like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Assam have already adopted the entry rule of more than six people. Delhi, which continued to follow the Delhi School Education Rules 1973, which allowed younger children into Class One, is now catching up with the national standards.
The issue of school entry age received attention in 2022 when Kendriya Vidyalayas raised the minimum age for first grade to six years. The Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court later upheld this order, stating that it was in compliance with the NEP 2020. Following this, the Union Ministry of Education urged all states and union territories to align with the NEP framework.
(Tags for translation) Delhi School Admission Age
