There is big news from New Delhi. The Education Ministry has made it clear that now the minimum age for admission in Class 1 (Class 1) in government, aided and private schools across the country will be 6 years. This system will be implemented in the entire country from the academic session 2026-27.
Rules will change under NEP 2020, new age fixed from nursery to class 1
The government has made this change as per the National Education Policy (NEP). Under the new system, the entire structure of children’s education has now been decided starting from 3 years of nursery till admission in first class in 6 years.
Meaning – now nursery, LKG, UKG – the child will go to first class only after a total of 3 years of basic upbringing (Foundational Stage).
New age structure (Nursery to Class 1) — at a glance
Class Minimum Age Maximum Age Bal Vatika-1 (Nursery) 3 years 4 years Bal Vatika-2 (LKG) 4 years 5 years Bal Vatika-3 (UKG) 5 years 6 years 1st Class 6 years 7 years
Government’s logic – first the child becomes strong through sports and learning, then he gets the burden of books.
The Ministry of Education says that a small child needs time to prepare mentally, socially and behaviorally. The 3 year foundation stage strengthens the child –
✅ Language
✅ brain development
✅ Emotional understanding
✅ Social habits
After all this, 6 years of age is considered to be the best age to understand books and sit in the classroom.
What about children before 2026?
The government has asked the states to implement the transition gradually, so that the children who have already been enrolled do not suffer any kind of loss.
