![\"Age](\"https:\/\/trak.in\/stories\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/1345803239_Doing-alphabets-10-1-1024x681-1.jpeg\")
In a letter to the state governments and the Union Territory administrations, the ministry\u2019s Department of School Education and Literacy has reiterated its directions issued several times since the NEP was launched in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are wide variations in the age criteria among states when it comes to admission to Class 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are 14 states and Union Territories that allow Class 1 admission for children who have not completed six years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here’s an example- in Assam, Gujarat, Puducherry, Telangana and Ladakh, children who have turned five can get admitted to Class 1. In Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the other hand, in Uttarakhand, Haryana, Goa, Jharkhand, Karnataka and Kerala the minimum age is five plus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On previous occasions, the Centre pointed out that not aligning the minimum age with the NEP stipulation was affecting the measurement of net enrolment ratios in different states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What the ministry wants<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis anomaly also results in the incorrect reporting of the enrolment of children in age-appropriate classes and hence the incorrect reporting of underage and overage children, thus affecting the net enrolment ratios in different states and at the national level, as well as difficulties in the interstate movement of students and for appearing in various competitive exams,\u201d the ministry told the Lok Sabha on March 28, 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The states and UTs were also requested to prepare a roadmap to ensure smooth transition over the next two-three years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, with very little progress made on this front, the Centre has once again reached out to the state governments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n