SED notifies revised age criteria for Kindergarten, Class 1 admissions under NEP-2020

Posted by admin_kas on 2025-04-17 21:45:33 |

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Grants one-time relaxation for 2025-26, strict enforcement from 2026-27

Muhammad Adnan

Srinagar, Apr 17: In a significant development, the Jammu and Kashmir School Education Department (SED) has issued fresh guidelines clarifying the age determination process in accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The move comes amid the rising confusion among parents and schools over the minimum age criteria for kindergarten and Class 1 admissions.

In a fresh circular issued by the Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary) SED, it has been stated that the department received multiple representations seeking clarity on the minimum age requirement for admission of children into Nursery, Balvatika, Pre-School, and Anganwadi centres.

"These concerns, were especially relevant in the backdrop of phased implementation of NEP-2020 norms across Jammu and Kashmir," it reads.

It reads that according to the NEP-2020, a child must have completed three years of age for admission into Nursery or equivalent entry-level classes.

"However, during the ongoing transitional phase of policy implementation, relaxations had been extended over the past two academic sessions. These relaxations allowed children who were slightly underage to be admitted to Class 1," reads a circular issued by SED.

In light of these transitional adjustments, and to accommodate children enrolled in Nursery in the academic session 2022-23—who are due to enter Class 1 in the 2025-26 academic session—the department has now granted a one-time relaxation.

For the 2025-26 academic year, the minimum age for Class 1 admissions will be calculated as on 30th September 2025.

However, this relaxation is applicable only to educational institutions in the Jammu Division, excluding the winter zone areas.

“All concerned educational institutions are hereby directed to strictly adhere to these instructions to ensure a smooth and hassle-free admission process,” the circular reads.

The department has also made it clear that from the academic session 2026-27 onwards, the reckoning date for minimum age criteria will strictly follow the NEP-2020 guidelines.

"Accordingly, children must attain the required age by March 31 of the academic year for admission into Nursery or Balvatika. No further relaxations will be permitted beyond this period," it reads.