The Directorate of Education (DoE), Government of Delhi, has announced a significant change to the entry age for school admissions, with the aim of aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009. The policy will particularly affect parents seeking Nursery and Class I admissions, where age cut-offs often play a deciding role in eligibility. While the age criteria makes considerable changes to the foundational framework (breaking KG to LKG and UKG and implementing a 6+ years age criteria for admission to Class 1), the DoE has made it clear that the transition will happen gradually, with the new structure starting in 2026-27 and that existing students will not be affected.
For the 2026–27 session, the age structure will be as follows:
- Nursery: 3 years and above
- KG: 4 years and above
- Class I: 5 years and above
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Old vs New Age Criteria for Delhi School Admissions
Here is a side-by-side comparison of the old and new age criteria for Delhi nursery admissions:
|
Class |
Old Criteria (Until 2026–27) |
New Criteria For 2027–28 |
Age Criteria for 2028-29 |
|
Nursery |
3 to 4 years as on 31 Mar 2025 |
3+ years as on 31 Mar 2026 |
3+ years as on 31 March 2027 |
|
Lower KG |
4 to 5 years |
4+ years |
4+ years |
|
Upper KG |
5+ years |
5+ years |
|
|
Class I |
5 to 6 years |
Only internal promotions *Will include students promoted from KG (2026-27) |
6+ years |
*Note: The “Born Between” column reflects eligibility for the 2026–27 academic year, as per the new rules set by the Directorate of Education, Delhi. (± 30 days relaxation possible)
Read More | Age Criteria for Nursery Admission in Delhi 2026-27 (Updated)
Why the Change Matters
Age criteria are more than just numbers. In Delhi, where demand for quality school seats is high, even a few days’ difference in birth date can decide whether a child gets admission in the intended year. This revision will extend the foundational stage to 3 years before Class I, giving children more time for early learning and reducing the pressure to start formal academics too soon.
The NEP 2020 recommends that children complete 5 years in the foundational stage (ages 3 to 8) through play-based and activity-led learning before progressing to more structured academics. Delhi’s adoption of the 6+ rule for Class I entry aims to follow this vision.
Jyoti Arora, Principal of Mount Abu Public School, welcomed the decision, calling it “a key step in strengthening early years education. By laying a foundation from age 3+, this structure supports cognitive, social and emotional development in our youngest learners.” Some parents, however, remain sceptical. One of the parents remarked, “Six years is very late for starting Class I. By that age, children in other countries are already ahead.”
Advice for Parents Planning Ahead
The 2026-27 session marks the beginning of a new admission timeline for Delhi schools. However, the updated age criteria might make it a little difficult to navigate. Here are a few things that parents need to keep in mind:
- Verify your child’s date of birth against the new eligibility criteria before applying.
- Prepare for higher competition in pre-primary admissions.
- Keep multiple school options in mind to avoid last-minute challenges.
- Follow official DoE notifications. Feedback from parents, educators, and experts can be shared at schoolbranchnep@gmail.com until July 10, 2025.
