If you’re planning to admit your child to a school following the CBSE curriculum in the academic year 2026 – 2027, knowing the correct age criteria is very important. Schools strictly follow these guidelines to ensure that each child joins the right class at the right age. The age is calculated as of 31st March 2026, and each class has a defined age range based on the child’s date of birth. Here’s a detailed guide on the age criteria for each class starting from Nursery to Class XII.
| Class | Date of Birth Between | Age Criteria | As on Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursery | 1 April, 2022 – 31 March, 2023 | 3+ years | 31st March, 2026 |
| LKG | 1 April, 2021– 31 March, 2022 | 4+ years | 31st March, 2026 |
| UKG | 1 April, 2020 – 31 March, 2021 | 5+ years | 31st March, 2026 |
| Class I | 1 April, 2019 – 31 March, 2020 | 6+ years | 31st March, 2026 |
| Class II | 1 April, 2018 – 31 March, 2019 | 7+ years | 31st March, 2026 |
| Class III | 1 April, 2017 – 31 March, 2018 | 8+ years | 31st March, 2026 |
| Class IV | 1 April, 2016 – 31 March, 2017 | 9+ years | 31st March, 2026 |
| Class V | 1 April, 2015 – 31 March, 2016 | 10+ years | 31st March, 2026 |
| Class VI | 1 April, 2014 – 31 March, 2015 | 11+ years | 31st March, 2026 |
| Class VII | 1 April, 2013 – 31 March, 2014 | 12+ years | 31st March, 2026 |
| Class VIII | 1 April, 2012 – 31 March, 2013 | 13+ years | 31st March, 2026 |
| Class IX | 1 April, 2011 – 31 March, 2012 | 14+ years | 31st March, 2026 |
| Class X | 1 April, 2010 – 31 March, 2011 | 15+ years | 31st March, 2026 |
| Class XI | 1 April, 2009 – 31 March, 2010 | 16+ years | 31st March, 2026 |
| Class XII | 1 April, 2008 – 31 March, 2009 | 17+ years | 31st March, 2026 |
Age Criteria for Admission in Nursery
For Nursery admission in the academic session 2026-2027, the child should be born between 1st April 2022 and 31st March 2023. This means the child must have completed 3 years of age by 31st March 2026. Nursery is often the first formal step in a child’s education journey, and schools expect children to be ready for a playful yet learning-oriented environment.
Age Criteria for Admission in LKG
As per the CBSE Curriculum, for admissions in LKG (Lower Kindergarten) for the academic session 2025-2026, your child must be born between 1st April 2021 and 31st March 2022. This ensures that the child has completed 4 years of age by 31st March 2026. At this stage, kids begin to learn the basics of language, numbers, and social interaction in a structured setup.
Age Criteria for Admission in UKG
To get admission in UKG (Upper Kindergarten) for the session 2025-2026, the child’s date of birth should fall between 1st April 2020 and 31st March 2021. By 31st March 2026, the child should be 5 years old or above. UKG acts as a bridge between early childhood education and primary schooling, focusing more on writing skills and number understanding.
Age Criteria for Admission in Class I
For admission in Class I, children must be born between 1st April 2019 and 31st March 2020. The child should be 6 years old by 31st March 2026. This is the beginning of formal schooling where foundational subjects like English, Maths, and EVS are introduced in a more structured way.
Age Criteria for Admission in Class II
Children seeking admission in Class II for 2025-2026 must have their date of birth between 1st April 2018 and 31st March 2019. The child must be 7 years or older by 31st March 2026. This class builds upon the basics learned in Class I and develops early academic skills.
Age Criteria for Admission in Class III
To join Class III, the child should be born between 1st April 2017 and 31st March 2018. The required age is 8 years or more as of 31st March 2026. At this stage, learning becomes a bit more detailed, and subjects start to go deeper with added concepts and broader understanding.
Age Criteria for Admission in Class IV
For Class IV admission, the child must have a date of birth between 1st April 2016 and 31st March 2017. They should be 9 years or older by 31st March 2026. Class IV further develops the child’s ability to think, reason, and grasp more complex ideas across subjects.
Age Criteria for Admission in Class V
Children born between 1st April 2015 and 31st March 2016 will be eligible for Class V admission in the 2026-2027 session. The minimum age should be 10 years as of 31st March 2026. This class serves as the final year of primary education and prepares students for middle school.
Age Criteria for Admission in Class VI
Admission to Class VI requires that the child be born between 1st April 2014 and 31st March 2015, making the age 11 years or above by 31st March 2026. This is where students enter middle school, and subjects are now taught in more depth, including Science, Social Studies, and more structured English and Math.
Age Criteria for Admission in Class VII
For Class VII, the child must be 12 years or older by 31st March 2026, with a date of birth falling between 1st April 2013 and 31st March 2014. Students now deal with a heavier syllabus and are expected to become more responsible in their academic approach.
Age Criteria for Admission in Class VIII
Children born between 1st April 2012 and 31st March 2013 are eligible for Class VIII. The child must have completed 13 years of age by 31st March 2026. This class builds a strong base for high school and starts preparing students for board-level understanding.
Age Criteria for Admission in Class IX
For Class IX, which is the foundation for board exams, the child should be 14 years or more as on 31st March 2026, meaning the birth date should lie between 1st April 2011 and 31st March 2012. This is a crucial stage where students need to focus more seriously on academics.
Age Criteria for Admission in Class X
Students aiming for Class X in 2025-2026 must be 15 years or older by 31st March 2026. The date of birth should be between 1st April 2010 and 31st March 2011. This is the year of board exams, and age eligibility is important for registration with CBSE.
Age Criteria for Admission in Class XI
For Class XI admission, the student must have a birthdate between 1st April 2009 and 31st March 2010, which means the age should be 16 years or more by 31st March 2026. This is where students choose their stream – Science, Commerce, or Arts – and start their higher secondary journey.
Age Criteria for Admission in Class XII
Admission to Class XII, the final stage of school education under CBSE, requires the student to be 17 years or older by 31st March 2026. The date of birth should fall between 1st April 2008 and 31st March 2009. Class XII is a crucial year for board exams and college entrance preparation.