SED issues new age guidelines for kindergarten, Class 1 admissions in line with NEP-2020

Srinagar, Apr 17: The School Education Department (SED) on Thursday issued fresh guidelines for determining the age of the children for their admission in kindergarten classes, in accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020.

The guidelines have been issued in wake of the confusion among parents and schools over the minimum age criteria for kindergarten and Class 1 admissions.

In this regard, the SED issued a circular following the number of representations received by the authorities from parents seeking clarity on the determination of the minimum age for admission of children into Nursery, Balvatika, Pre School, Anganwadi, "particularly in the context of the provisions laid down in the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020."

"The matter has been carefully examined with reference to the NEP-2020, which prescribes that a child seeking admission into Nursery/Balvatika/Pre School/Anganwadi should have completed the age of three years," reads a circular issued by Financial Commissioner SED Shantmanu.

It however reads that keeping in view the ongoing transitional phase of policy implementation, certain relaxations had been extended over the past two academic sessions.

"These relaxations allowed children marginally short of the prescribed age to be admitted to Class 1st primary," the SED circular reads.

In wake of this, SED while considering the requirement to accommodate students enrolled in Nursery in Academic session 2022-23 who are due for admission into Class 1st in the academic session 2025-26, has decided that a one-time relaxation shall be granted up to September 30 of 2025, for reckoning the minimum age for admission to Class 1st.

"This relaxation shall apply to all educational institutions functioning in the Jammu Division, excluding the winter zones," it reads.

As per the circular instructions, the minimum age for admission to Class 1st for the academic session 2025-26 shall be reckoned as on September 30 of 2025 excluding winter zones of Jammu Division.

"All concerned educational institutions are directed to strictly adhere to these instructions to ensure a smooth and hassle-free admission process," it reads.

The SED has further clarified that with effect from the academic session 2026-27 onwards, the minimum age for admission to Nursery, Balvatika, Pre-School, Anganwadi shall be reckoned as on March 31 of the concerned academic year, in accordance with the provisions of the NEP-2020 and no further relaxation shall be granted.

"This too shall be applicable to all institutions excluding the winter zones of the Jammu Division," the circular reads.