What Is the Right Age to Admit Children to School?

CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: What is the right age to admit children to school? Know the rules

Parents often have questions about the right age to send a child to school. Under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, three years of pre-primary education have been included in the 5+3+3+4 structure of school education. After this, the child is to be admitted to Class 1. The Ministry of Education has asked states and Union Territories to keep the age for admission to Class 1 at 6 years or above.

Under the new system, the general provision is for pre-school or Balvatika at the age of 3, the next level at 4, and the third pre-primary level at the age of 5. After this, Class 1 begins at the age of 6. However, the admission cut-off date and detailed rules may differ according to the concerned state or school. Several states, including Delhi, have implemented the minimum age of six years for Class 1 from 2026-27.

Under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE), 2009, children aged 6 to 14 years have the right to free and compulsory elementary education. According to the law, prescribed documents, including a birth certificate, are accepted as proof of age, and a child cannot be denied admission only because proof of age is not available.

Before getting a child admitted, parents should check the cut-off date, age limit and admission rules of the concerned state education department and school. Especially for admission to Class 1, the child’s age may be considered not only on the basis of the calendar year but also according to the cut-off date fixed by the school.

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