This aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009.
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Key Points:
- Effective Session: 2024-25 academic session onwards.
- Minimum Age Requirement: 6 years old for Class 1 admission.
- Basis: NEP 2020 and RTE Act, 2009.
- Earlier Notice: The MoE had previously issued a similar direction to states and UTs in February 2023.
The NEP 2020 proposes a foundational stage of five years, encompassing three years of preschool education and Classes 1 and 2. As of March 2022, several states and UTs allowed admission to Class 1 for children below 6 years old.
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States and UTs are expected to take necessary steps to ensure compliance with the minimum age requirement from the upcoming academic session. This policy aims to ensure children entering Class 1 are developmentally ready for the academic demands of primary education.
Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, in a letter dated 15.02.2024, with reference to 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, requested all states/UTs to ensure that the age of admission to… pic.twitter.com/RoIrA9h9IC
— Ministry of Education (@EduMinOfIndia) February 25, 2024
