Delhi HC Seeks Reply from Government on 6-Year Age Limit for Class-1 AdmissionsAuthored

The Delhi High Court has sought a response from the Delhi government regarding the six-year minimum age limit for admission to Class-1 in the city’s schools. This comes after a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenged the circular issued by the government in June 2025, which set the minimum age for Class-1 admission at six years. The court has asked the government to respond within 13 days, with the next hearing scheduled for 26 November 2025.

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Background

The Delhi government issued a circular in June 2025 stating that children must be at least six years old as of the academic year to be eligible for admission to Class-1. This new age criterion has raised concerns among parents and guardians, prompting legal action in the Delhi High Court.

The bench, headed by Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyay, has issued a notice to the Delhi government and scheduled the matter for further hearing later this month.

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Concerns Raised Against the 6-Year Age Limit

1. Financial Burden on Parents

• Children will have to spend an extra year in pre-school, leading to additional fees and expenses.
• Parents who have already enrolled their children in pre-school will face unnecessary financial pressure.

1. Admission Challenges Due to Limited Seats

• Direct admission to Class-1 may become difficult due to limited availability of seats.

1. Disruption for Current Students

• Students who were already scheduled to be promoted to Class-1 this academic year may have to repeat pre-school, disrupting their academic progression.
• Similarly, students moving from nursery may need to repeat their current class, causing unnecessary stress and delay.

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Proposed Suggestions in the PIL

• Age limits should be revised as follows for smoother academic transition:
• Nursery: 4 years and above
• Pre-School 1: 4+ years
• Pre-School 2: 5+ years
• Class-1: 6+ years
• These changes should apply from the academic year 2026-2027 instead of 2025-26, to avoid disruption for current students.

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Concerns Over Private School Fees

• The PIL also highlighted the high cost of private schooling.
• Currently, a single quarter in private schools costs approximately ₹60,000, amounting to nearly ₹2.4 lakh annually, which is a significant financial burden on parents.

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Print-Edition Headline Suggestion:

“Delhi HC Asks Government to Explain 6-Year Minimum Age Rule for Class-1 Admissions – Parents Raise Concerns Over Extra Pre-School Year and High Fees”

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