Haryana Implements Strict Age Rule for Class 1 Admissions
Starting from the 2026-27 academic session, admission to Class 1 in Haryana will strictly require children to have completed six years of age. The state government has formally ended all forms of age relaxation in line with directions from the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
This significant policy change will impact thousands of parents planning first-time school admissions in Gurgaon and other cities across the state.
End of Age Flexibility
The decision comes as the Haryana government moves to amend the Haryana Right to Education (RTE) Rules, 2011. These rules previously allowed children aged between five and six to be admitted to Class 1.
This provision repeatedly caused confusion, legal challenges, and last-minute court petitions every admission season.
In the case of Divisha Yadav vs State of Haryana, the High Court strongly criticized the state for publicly endorsing the NEP's six-year rule while continuing to follow outdated bylaws. The court directed the government to bring its rules in line with central law.
Planning for New Admissions
With the six-year rule set to become compulsory, education experts advise parents to plan admissions well in advance. They recommend applying early, relying only on official notifications, and focusing on schools that best match their child's needs, values, and budget.
The era of age-related flexibility in Class 1 admissions is set to formally end in Haryana.
Children below the age cut-off will be accommodated in Balvatika or pre-primary classes. They will shift to Class 1 once they meet the age requirement, ensuring they continue with the same peer group.
Gurgaon's Competitive Admission Landscape
Against this backdrop, parents in Gurgaon must carefully track age eligibility while applying to private schools. Competition for entry-level seats remains intense in the city.
Most private schools in Gurgaon follow a predictable admission calendar. They announce admissions for pre-nursery and nursery between late July and August. Schools invite online applications and conduct draws of lots when applications exceed available seats.
Limited Seat Availability
DPS Gurgaon (Sector 45) principal Aditi Misra explained the limited seat availability at her institution. The school has around 150 seats in pre-nursery across six sections. Nursery runs with about 10 sections, and kindergarten has 10 to 12 sections depending on strength.
Class size is capped at 27-28 students to ensure individual attention.
Misra added that pre-nursery and nursery seats are usually fully occupied. Only a few seats remain reserved for transfer cases. Vacancies in Class 1 generally arise due to family relocations.
Draws of lots are conducted in the presence of parents to maintain transparency. Admissions to higher classes are based on documented assessments.
Structured Admission Processes
Similar trends are visible at Manav Rachna International School, Sector 51. Admissions for the upcoming session were released in July. Parents received information through the school website, app, emails, notice boards, social media platforms, and the admissions office.
The school said timelines remain largely unchanged from last year. Demand for nursery and kindergarten far exceeds seat availability. Limited vacancies appear later only due to withdrawals.
Admissions follow structured processes. These include play-based observations for early years and academic assessments for higher classes. Schools maintain strict adherence to age norms and show zero tolerance for capitation fees.
Point-Based Admission System
The pressure on entry-level seats is also evident at DAV School in Sector 49. This private school follows a point-based admission system. It received around 600 applications for just over 100 nursery and LKG seats.
Distance from school carries the highest weightage in their admission criteria.
Principal Charu Maini of Sector 49 DAV School provided specific details. The school released its nursery and LKG admission notification in August. Other class admissions were announced in December.
The last date for nursery and LKG applications is fixed as August 30, 2025, without extension. The deadline for other classes is January 15.
Admissions to higher classes are conducted through tests. Merit and extracurricular activities receive consideration during selection. Ten percent of seats are reserved under the EWS/DG category.
Parental Guidance
Education experts emphasize that parents should start planning early. They need to understand the new age requirements completely. Following official school notifications becomes crucial in this changed admission landscape.
Choosing schools that align with a child's needs, family values, and budget requires careful consideration. The elimination of age relaxation means parents must calculate their child's age accurately against the six-year requirement.
With competition for seats remaining fierce, especially in cities like Gurgaon, timely action and thorough preparation become essential for successful school admissions under the new policy framework.
