Education department orders to ensure admission in Class 1 of six years old

NEW DELHI: The department of school education and literacy in a letter has requested all states and union territories to ensure that the students admitted to Class 1 are at least six years old from the 2024-25 session onwards.

The ministry said this decision has been taken as per the provisions in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009.

In a letter ministry of education secretary said, “I would like to invite your kind attention to this Department's DO letter No. 9-2/20- IS-3 dated 31.03.2021 followed by DO letter of even number dated February 9, 2023 (copies enclosed), wherein all states/UTs were requested to align the age of admission as per the provision contained in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 and ensure admission to Grade-I at the age of 6+ year.”

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“The session 2024-25 is soon to begin when new admissions will take place. It is expected that the age in your State/UT has now been aligned to 6+ for admission to Grade-1, accordingly,” the letter added.

The secretary instructed the officials concerned to look into the matter, and ensure compliance and share the implementation status of the order.