Beginning with the 2026–2027 academic year, the Delhi government has made the decision to restructure the “foundational stage” of schooling in accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Right to Education (RTE) Act 2009, as well as to establish a uniform minimum age of six years for admission to Class 1.
In a circular released on Friday, the Directorate of Education (DoE) made the announcement and said that schools would soon get comprehensive instructions on how to execute the measures.
The first five years of formal education, which include nursery, lower kindergarten (“pre-school 1”), upper kindergarten (“pre-school 2”), Class 1, and Class 2, are referred to as the “foundational stage” by the NEP.
A new grade will be introduced in schools as a result of the new policy. Nursery entrance will require a minimum age of three years, lower kindergarten admission will require four years, and upper kindergarten admission will require five years.
According to the existing system, a child must be three years old to enter nursery, four years old to enter kindergarten, and five years old to enter Class 1.
The revised model has already been adopted by several states.
According to government officials, practical obstacles, such as the need to build new infrastructure, have prevented the NEP structure from being implemented in the Capital up to this point.
According to the DoE, the updated age requirements must be met by all government, government-aided, and approved unaided private schools.
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