Across India, the target age for Class 1 admission is now 6 years. The National Education Policy 2020 places three years of pre-school (roughly ages 3 to 6) before Class 1, and the Ministry of Education has repeatedly asked states to admit children to Class 1 only at 6 or older. That usually means nursery at about 3, LKG at 4, UKG at 5 and Class 1 at 6.
The details are set by each state, and they are still changing. Karnataka counts age on 1 June, Delhi on 31 March, and Maharashtra is moving its cut-off to 30 June. Several states are phasing the rule in over a few years. Always check the exact date your state and your school use for the year you are applying.
Why age 6 for Class 1: NEP 2020 and the Ministry of Education
The National Education Policy 2020 replaces the old 10+2 pattern with a 5+3+3+4 structure. Its first block, the Foundational Stage, has two parts: three years of Anganwadi, pre-school or Balvatika, and then Classes 1 and 2, together covering ages 3 to 8. The policy notes that Class 1 begins at age 6.
The Ministry of Education wrote to all states and Union Territories in February 2023 asking them to fix the minimum age for Class 1 at six, and again in February 2024 asking them to apply it for the new academic year. At the time of that 2024 letter, fourteen states and Union Territories had already moved to age 6, as reported by Onmanorama. Since then, more states have announced phased changes, often with one-year relaxations while children already in pre-school move through.
Admission age by state: Karnataka, Delhi and Maharashtra
| State | Class 1 rule | Age counted on | What is changing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karnataka | 6 years completed | 1 June | For 2026-27 only, a 60-day relaxation: children turning 6 on or before 31 July 2026 were eligible |
| Delhi (schools under the Directorate of Education) | Moving from 5+ to 6+ | 31 March | New pre-school structure (Nursery, Lower KG, Upper KG) phased in from 2026-27, so the 2026 nursery batch reaches Class 1 at 6+ |
| Maharashtra | Moving to 6 years | 30 June (moving from 31 December) | Phased: nursery at 3 from 2027-28, Class 1 at 6 from 2030-31 |
This table reflects official notices and reports available in November 2026. Rules for the 2027-28 admission season may be announced around the time you read this, so confirm with the state education department and the school.
Karnataka and Bangalore schools
Karnataka's rule is that a child must be 6 years old by 1 June to join Class 1. The state relaxed this twice while families adjusted. For 2025-26, children aged five years and five months could move up, as reported by The News Minute. For 2026-27, the School Education Minister announced a 60-day relaxation in the Assembly in March 2026, and schools circulated the government order as allowing children who turn 6 on or before 31 July 2026.
LKG and UKG are not yet fully regulated in Karnataka, and the minister said rules for them would be brought in. In practice, most Bangalore schools work backwards from the Class 1 rule, so a child usually needs to be about 4 for LKG and about 5 for UKG. Ask the school which cut-off date it uses before you pay any admission fee.
Delhi
A Directorate of Education circular dated 24 October 2025 sets the new structure for government, aided and recognised private schools under the DoE, with age counted as on 31 March:
- Nursery (Balvatika 1): 3+ up to 4 years
- Lower KG (Balvatika 2): 4+ up to 5 years
- Upper KG (Balvatika 3): 5+ up to 6 years
- Class 1: 6+ up to 7 years
It is being phased in from 2026-27. The circular explains that a child who entered nursery at 3+ in 2026-27 will be in Class 1 at 6+. Heads of school can relax the minimum and maximum age by one month, and a child who has passed the previous class from a recognised school with a valid school leaving certificate is exempt from the age rule for the next class.
Maharashtra
Maharashtra has used 31 December as its age cut-off. A government resolution reported by PTI in October 2026 moves the cut-off to 30 June and phases in minimum ages: nursery at 3 from 2027-28, Junior KG at 4 from 2028-29, Senior KG at 5 from 2029-30, and Class 1 at 6 from 2030-31. Heads of school can give a 15-day relaxation, and children already enrolled in 2026-27 are not affected. The report also noted that state board, CBSE, ICSE and IB schools had been using different cut-off dates, which is why parents in Pune and Mumbai often got different answers from different schools.
Nursery admission age in India
Nursery is the first of the three pre-school years under NEP, so most states and schools now treat 3 as the starting age, with the age counted on the state's cut-off date. Some private schools still run a playgroup or pre-nursery below that. That is the school's own programme, not a requirement, and there is no rule that your child must start formal pre-school before 3.
If your child is not yet talking much, not toilet trained, or finds separation very hard at 3, that does not automatically mean they should wait. It does mean you should choose a setting that is play-based and patient, and keep an eye on development. Our guide to questions to ask before admission to a new school helps you judge a pre-school on the visit.
How to work out your child's eligibility
- Find your state's cut-off date for the session you are applying to (1 June, 31 March, 30 June or another date).
- Calculate your child's age on that date in years, months and days. Our free School Admission Age Calculator does this for each state and class.
- Check for relaxations. Many states and schools allow a short relaxation (one month in Delhi, 15 days under Maharashtra's new rule, 60 days in Karnataka for 2026-27).
- Ask the school in writing which date and age it applies, especially if it is a CBSE, ICSE or IB school, because practice has differed between boards.
- Keep the birth certificate ready and make sure the name and date match every other document.
If your child is young for the year or has developmental delays
Children born close to the cut-off will always be the youngest in class, and for some that is fine. For a child who has speech delay, sensory needs, attention difficulties or a diagnosis, the right question is not only "Is my child old enough?" but "Is my child ready, and is this school ready for my child?"
Things to weigh before you decide to push ahead or wait a year:
- Daily skills. Can your child sit for a short group activity, follow a two-step instruction, use the toilet with help, and say or show when they need something?
- Therapy timing. An extra year in pre-school can give speech or occupational therapy time to work before academics start. It is not a cure on its own.
- The school's attitude. A welcoming school with a shadow teacher option can matter more than three months of age. See our guide to choosing the right school for a neurodivergent child.
- Your child's rights. A diagnosis is not a reason for refusal. Our post on RTE Section 12 and inclusion explains what schools must do.
Our free School-Readiness Checklist gives you a structured way to look at these skills and take the list to your child's therapist or paediatrician.
When to get professional help
Talk to your paediatrician or a developmental specialist before admission if your child is not using words by around 2, is losing skills they had, does not respond to their name, or struggles with play and daily routines far more than other children their age. A developmental evaluation before school starts gives you clarity for the admission conversation and gets support in place early.
In Bangalore, Carely's speech therapists, occupational therapists and special educators work with young children at home, including school-readiness goals before LKG or Class 1. You can start with the free admission age calculator, read about our home therapy services, or message us on WhatsApp to talk it through.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum age for Class 1 admission in India?
The national target under NEP 2020 is 6 years, and the Ministry of Education has asked all states to use it. Each state sets its own cut-off date and some are still phasing it in, so check your state's rule for the year you are applying.
What is the age for LKG admission in Bangalore?
Karnataka has not yet fully regulated LKG and UKG, but because Class 1 needs 6 years by 1 June, most Bangalore schools expect about 4 for LKG and 5 for UKG. Ask the school for the exact date it uses.
Can my child join Class 1 at 5 and a half?
It depends on the state and year. Karnataka allowed five years and five months for 2025-26 only, and a 60-day relaxation for 2026-27. Delhi was still admitting at 5+ during its changeover. Check the current notice before you plan around it.
What if we move from another state or from abroad?
Delhi's circular exempts children who passed the previous class at a recognised school, with a valid leaving certificate, from the age rule for the next class, and Maharashtra's new rule has a similar exemption. Carry the leaving certificate and report card, and ask the new school how it treats transfers.
Should I hold my child back a year if they have a delay?
Sometimes it helps, sometimes it only delays support. Decide with your child's therapist and a school visit, based on readiness and the support available, not age alone.