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This change, which will affect many parents in Gurgaon and other cities, adheres to directives from the Punjab and Haryana high court and aligns with NEP 2020.
The previous policy allowing children aged between five and six to enter Class 1 often caused confusion and legal issues. (AI Generated Image)
Starting from the 2026-27 academic year, Haryana will enforce a six-year age requirement for Class 1 admissions, ending the previous six-month age waiver. This change will impact many parents in Gurgaon and other cities, adhering to directives from the Punjab and Haryana high court and aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Education experts have advised parents to plan admissions early, follow official notifications, and choose schools that suit their child’s needs and budget. The previous policy, allowing children aged between five and six to enter Class 1, often caused confusion and legal issues, the state government stated.
In the case of Divisha Yadav vs State of Haryana, the high court criticised the state for not aligning its rules with the NEP and directed it to update its bylaws. As a result, children who do not meet the age requirement will enter pre-primary classes and advance to Class 1 upon meeting the age criteria, ensuring they stay with their peers.
Six states and Union Territories, including Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Kerala, have yet to adopt the 6-year minimum age requirement for Class 1 admissions. According to ANI, 30 states and UTs have already adjusted their admission criteria in line with the policy.
States Already Following The Six-Year Age Rule:
Delhi: The Directorate of Education (DoE) has confirmed 6+ years as the uniform age for all schools from 2026.
Goa: The Goa School Education Bill, 2026 will officially raise the entry age to six.
Uttar Pradesh and Bihar: Transitioned to the six-year requirement.
Karnataka: Following the six-year rule (June 1st cut-off) after a phased transition.
Gujarat and Maharashtra: Fully implemented the 6+ criteria.
Punjab: Restructured pre-primary stages to match the entry age.
Central Systems: All Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVS) and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) have followed the 6+ rule since the 2022-23 session.
Most private schools announce pre-nursery and nursery admissions between late July and August, with online applications and lottery systems for oversubscribed seats. The admissions process involves structured steps, including play-based observations for early years and academic assessments for higher classes. Schools strictly adhere to age norms and do not tolerate capitation fees.
January 17, 2026, 13:44 IST
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