Delhi schools to admit children to Class 1 at 6+ years from 2026-27; new ‘Balvatika’ structure to begin in phases

Under the new structure, the existing two-year pre-primary setup, including nursery and kindergarten, will be expanded into a three-year system comprising Balvatika 1, 2 and 3. These will be followed by Class 1 at the age of six and above.

According to the circular issued by the DoE to all government, aided, and recognised private schools in Delhi, the restructuring will be implemented in phases. From the 2026-27 academic session, schools will start following the revised age criteria, admitting children aged six and above to Class 1, and three years and above to Balvatika 1. Balvatika 2 (for four-year-olds) and Balvatika 3 (for five-year-olds) will be added in 2027-28 and 2028-29, respectively, completing the three-year pre-primary structure before Class 1.

The DoE has said that this phased approach will help schools make the necessary infrastructural and administrative adjustments for the additional year at the pre-primary level. The move, as per DoE officials, aligns Delhi’s system with the NEP 2020 and the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, both of which prescribe six years as the minimum age for entry into Grade 1.

“The age criteria as detailed in the circular will be implemented in phases starting from the academic session 2026-27,” the order stated. It also clarified that the new age norms will not apply to students already enrolled in Nursery to Class 1 during the 2025-26 session.

Heads of schools will be permitted to grant up to one month’s relaxation in the minimum or maximum age limits. Children transferring from other recognised schools with valid school-leaving certificates and report cards will be exempted from the rule, the circular said. Schools have also been directed to inform parents well in advance and ensure that the revised age criteria are reflected in admission notices and forms.

The change marks Delhi’s adoption of the NEP’s ‘5+3+3+4’ schooling design, replacing the traditional 10+2 structure. The first five years (ages 3 to 8) form the foundational stage comprising three years of pre-primary education followed by Classes 1 and 2.

The NEP emphasises that these early years are crucial for cognitive and socio-emotional development and should focus on play-based and activity-based learning rather than formal academics.

While several states, including Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Assam, have already moved to the 6+ entry age, Delhi has so far continued with its existing policy under the Delhi School Education Rules, 1973, allowing children below six to enter Class 1.

The Union Ministry of Education has been urging states and Union Territories since 2021 to align their entry age with the NEP 2020 and the RTE framework for uniformity across the country.

The issue of school entry age was first highlighted in 2022 when Kendriya Vidyalayas raised the minimum age for Class 1 to six years, triggering a petition by parents in the Delhi High Court.

Both the high court and the Supreme Court upheld the decision, noting that the revision was in keeping with the NEP’s objectives.