Haryana government abolishes age relaxation, sets six years as nonnegotiable minimum for Class 1 admissions from 2026-27

The Haryana government has withdrawn all age relaxations for admission to Class 1 and made completion of six years of age compulsory for enrolment from the 2026-27 academic session. The decision aligns the state’s admission policy with the National Education Policy 2020 and follows a directive from the Punjab and Haryana High Court to bring state rules into conformity with central guidelines.

Under the revised regime, children who have not attained six years of age by the prescribed cut-off will not qualify for direct admission to Class 1 and will instead be enrolled in Balvatika or the pre-primary stage until they reach the required age. Education officials have clarified that this arrangement will allow younger children to remain with their peer group before joining Class 1.

The change ends an earlier provision under the Haryana Right to Education Rules, 2011, which permitted children aged between five and six to enter Class 1. That provision had generated confusion and litigation in successive admission cycles, prompting the high court to rule that the state must harmonise its rules with the Right to Education Act and the NEP framework.

The move is likely to have a significant impact on families planning first-time school admissions, especially in urban centres like Gurgaon where competition for entry-level seats is intense. Schools such as DPS Gurgaon, Manav Rachna International School and DAV School Sector 49 report high demand for pre-nursery and KG places, with limited vacancies shaping admission strategies. Principals have noted that Class 1 openings typically arise only through withdrawals or relocations and that transparent processes such as draws of lots are used where applications exceed seats.

Education authorities have urged parents to follow official notifications and plan applications carefully under the new age criterion. The six-year rule places Haryana in step with several other states and union territories enforcing similar norms, while some regions continue to operate lower entry ages.

If you need a concise summary or further context on how this change affects children’s school readiness and foundational education stages, let me know.