New requirements for Class 1 admissions will be implemented by the Ministry of Education (MoE) for the forthcoming 2024 session. According to the most recent order, which was issued on February 25, all states and Union Territories (UTs) are required to guarantee that children applying for enrollment in Grade 1 are at least six years old. This directive complies with the guidelines provided by the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, as well as the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the Ministry of Education (MoE) posted a letter highlighting earlier communication, such as D.O. letter No. 9-2/20-IS-3 dated 31.03.2021, and a follow-up letter of even number dated 09.02.2023.

“I would like to invite your kind attention to this Department’s D.O. letter No. 9-2/20- IS-3 dated 31.03.2021 followed by D.O. letter of even number dated 09.02.2023 (copies enclosed) wherein all States/UTs were requested to align the age of admission as per the provision contained in NEP 2020 and RTE Act, 2009 and ensure admission to Grade-I at the age of 6+ year,” the letter signed by Archana Sharma Awasthi, Joint Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy reads.

With the impending start of the new session 2024–25, the MoE anticipates that states and UTs will have modified their admissions procedures accordingly. The Ministry of Environment has asked the appropriate authorities to personally oversee compliance and report on the state of implementation by February 20, 2024.

“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. I request you to kindly look into the matter personally, to ensure compliance and share the implementation status of the same by 20.02.2024. For this purpose, you may share the notification/instruction passed by you in this regard,” the letter further adds.