Delhi govt raises upper age limit for EWS nursery admissions

New Delhi: The Delhi government on Wednesday raised the upper age limit for admission to entry-level classes under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and Disadvantaged Group (DG) category, by an year.

The government had in 2015 fixed upper age limit for admissions to pre-school (nursery), pre-primary (KG) and class I as 4 years, 5 years and 6 years, respectively.

However, now the Directorate of Education (DoE) has raised it to 5 years, 6 years and 7 years, respectively and directed the schools to apply the new age limit for the admissions to 2017-18 academic session as well.

"The age for granting admission to the students at entry level classes for the academic year 2017- 18 under EWS/DG category already selected through draw of lots is raised up to one year," a communication sent to schools by DoE read.

"All the private schools are hereby directed to comply with the order accordingly and grant the admission to all such student selected under EWS/DG through computerised draw of lots in the school allotted to them by May 15," it added.

As the Delhi High Court had in 2016 ordered a stay on the earlier age limit, the government had not announced any upper age limit for the admissions under the two categories for this academic session.

"Since no upper age was fixed for the admission in entry level classes under the two categories, the children older than the minimum age for admission were also selected among these 31,269 children," the DoE communication said.

Delhi High Court had last week ordered the government to raise the upper age limit as an interim measure and proceed with the admissions.

A total of 1,13,991 students applied for the admission in the entry-level classes and 31,269 students got selected through computerised lots of draw.