New Delhi: The Delhi government will implement a uniform age of 6+ years for admission to Class 1 in all government, government-aided, and recognised unaided private schools under the Directorate of Education (DoE) from the academic session 2026-27.

The government will also revise the age criteria for the foundational stage in a phased manner from the next year, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

According to a circular issued by the DoE, the foundational stage currently includes Nursery, KG, and Class 1, with minimum admission ages of 3+, 4+, and 5+ years, respectively. In the revised structure, the minimum and maximum ages (as on March 31) for admission will be: Nursery (Balvatika 1/Pre-School 1) - 3 to 4 years; Lower KG (Balvatika 2/Pre-School 2) - 4 to 5 years; Upper KG (Balvatika 3/Pre-School 3) - 5 to 6 years; and Class 1 - 6 to 7 years.

The head of the school may allow an age relaxation of up to one month in both minimum and maximum limits for admission from Nursery to Class 1.

The new criteria will not apply to students of the 2025-26 academic session. Lower KG and Upper KG classes will be introduced only from 2027-28.

Students with valid School Leaving Certificates and mark sheets from recognised schools will be exempted from age criteria when admitted to higher classes.

The DoE has directed all schools to inform parents about the changes and ensure strict compliance with the revised admission and progression structure.