Delhi schools to add lower, upper KG from 2027; uniform age criteria from 2026

The Delhi government has announced a uniform age criteria for admission from nursery to Class 1 in all government, government-adied, and recognised unaided private schools under the DoE from the academic session 2026-27. The revised age criteria for admission to the foundational stage will be implemented in a phased-manner from next year.

According to the circular issued by the Directorate of Education (DoE), the foundational stage comprises two classes – Nursery and KG — followed by Class 1, with the minimum age for admission being 3+, 4+, 5+ years, respectively.

The revised policy specifies a minimum and maximum age for admission, For nursery (Balvatika 1/ pre-school 1), the minimum and maximum age range is 3 to 4 years, for lower KG (Balvatika 2/ pre-school 2), 4 to 5 years, and or upper KG (Balvatika 3/ pre-school 3), 5 to 6 years. For Class 1, the age limit is 6 to 7 years, it added.

The heads of schools have been given permission to grant an age relaxation of up to one month in both minimum and maximum age limit for nursery to Class 1.

The new age criteria for Delhi school admissions has been introduced in line with the National Education Policy (NEP 2020). This will not apply to students of the current academic year 2025-26.

Delhi Nursery Admission: What changes from 2026-27?

The Delhi government has announced the restructuring of the admission policy for the foundational stage and introduction of a uniform age of admission for Class 1. Under the revised structure, the minimum and maximum age for each class as of March 31 for each class will be as given below.

The age criteria for the new admission in KG will be four years as of March 31, 2026. Students who enrolled in KG this year will be promoted to Class 1 and those in Class 1 to Class 2 in the next academic year 2026-27.

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Delhi: Lower, Upper KG from 2027-28

The lower KG and upper KG classes will be introduced from 2027-28 onwards. This means, children admitted in nursery in 2026 will be promoted to Class 1 at the age of 6 years in 2029-30, it said.

Children aged 4+ years will also be eligible for KG admission under the framework.

“Further, the regular students who have passed previous class from any recognised school and having a valid SLC and mark sheet will be exempted from applicability of age appropriate criteria for admission in the next higher class,” it added.