In a significant policy reform, the Delhi government has announced a uniform age criteria for admission from Nursery to Class 1 in all government, government-aided, and recognised unaided private schools under the Directorate of Education (DoE). The revised age criteria for the foundational stage will be implemented from the academic session 2026-27, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
According to the circular issued by the DoE, the foundational stage will include Nursery (Balvatika 1), Lower KG (Balvatika 2), Upper KG (Balvatika 3), and Class 1. The minimum age for admission to these classes will now be 3+, 4+, 5+, and 6+ years, respectively. This structured age framework aims to bring uniformity across schools and ensure that children enter each stage at an appropriate developmental age.
Revised Age Criteria for Delhi School Admissions 2026-27
The new policy specifies minimum and maximum age limits for each class as of March 31 of the academic year.
| Class | Age Limit (as on March 31) |
| Nursery (Balvatika 1/Pre-School 1) | 3 to 4 years |
| Lower KG (Balvatika 2/Pre-School 2) | 4 to 5 years (New admissions from 2026) |
| Upper KG (Balvatika 3/Pre-School 3) | 5 to 6 years |
| Class 1 | 6 to 7 years (To be implemented from 2028-29) |
The heads of schools have been authorised to grant an age relaxation of up to one month in both the minimum and maximum age limits for admissions from Nursery to Class 1.
Delhi Nursery Admission 2026-27: Key Changes
Starting from the 2026-27 academic session, children aged 3+ years as of March 31, 2026, will be eligible for Nursery admission. The Lower KG and Upper KG classes will be introduced gradually from 2027-28 onwards, ensuring a smooth transition to the new age structure.
Children admitted in Nursery in 2026 will be promoted to Class 1 at the age of six years in the 2029-30 academic year, following the foundational stage progression model recommended under NEP 2020.
The circular also clarified that this new age criteria will not apply to students currently enrolled in the 2025-26 academic year.
Implementation in Phased Manner
The Delhi government will implement the revised admission policy in phases starting from 2026-27. The Lower KG (Balvatika 2) will begin from 2026, while Upper KG (Balvatika 3) will be introduced in 2027-28. Subsequently, the uniform age of 6+ years for Class 1 admission will come into effect from the academic session 2028-29.
Exemption Clause for Regular Students
According to the DoE circular, students who have already passed their previous class from any recognised school and possess a valid School Leaving Certificate (SLC) and mark sheet will be exempted from the age-appropriate criteria for admission to the next higher class. This ensures that ongoing students are not affected by the policy transition.
Why This Change?
The Delhi government’s decision aims to bring uniformity in the entry age for foundational education, enhance academic consistency, and align Delhi’s school structure with NEP 2020. It ensures that children are developmentally ready for each class, reducing academic pressure in the early years, for more details CLICK HERE
