Minimum Age for Class 1 Admission: 6 Years From 2024-25 Session Onwards!!

This aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009.

• Effective Session: 2024-25 academic session onwards.
• Minimum Age Requirement: 6 years old for Class 1 admission.
• Basis: NEP 2020 and RTE Act, 2009.
• Earlier Notice: The MoE had previously issued a similar direction to states and UTs in February 2023.

The NEP 2020 proposes a foundational stage of five years, encompassing three years of preschool education and Classes 1 and 2. As of March 2022, several states and UTs allowed admission to Class 1 for children below 6 years old.

States and UTs are expected to take necessary steps to ensure compliance with the minimum age requirement from the upcoming academic session. This policy aims to ensure children entering Class 1 are developmentally ready for the academic demands of primary education.