ANS: The Central government has issued a directive to all states and Union Territories to set six years as the minimum age for admission to Class 1, aligning with the guidelines outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009.
With the upcoming academic session of 2024-25 on the horizon, during which new admissions will take place, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has emphasized the need for states and UTs to ensure that the age requirement for Grade 1 admission is 6 years or older.
In a letter dated February 15 addressed to state governments and Union Territory administrations, the MoE’s Department of School Education and Literacy reiterated the directives that have been issued multiple times since the introduction of the NEP in 2020. A similar notice emphasizing this requirement was also issued last year.
The move is aimed at standardizing the admission age criteria across the country, ensuring that all children have an equal opportunity to begin their formal education journey at an appropriate age.