Delhi School Admissions 2026–27: Complete Schedule, Rules, and Requirements for Nursery, KG & Class 1 in Private Schools

The Directorate of Education (DoE), Delhi, has released the official admission schedule for entry-level classes—Nursery (Balvatika 1), KG, and Class 1—in private unaided recognised schools for the academic year 2026–27. Issued on 22 November 2025, the detailed circular outlines the entire timeline that schools must follow, along with age criteria, fee limits, documentation rules, mandatory transparency measures, and clear restrictions that schools cannot violate. The guidelines apply exclusively to open-category admissions. Seats reserved under EWS, DG, and CWSN categories continue to be handled centrally by the DoE.

This blog provides a complete, clear, and parent-friendly breakdown of everything announced in the circular—important dates, eligibility rules, required documents, and what to expect during the selection process.

Admission Schedule: Key Dates Parents Must Know

The DoE has released a structured timeline that every private unaided recognised school must follow. Schools are not permitted to modify these dates or introduce any parallel schedule.

Here is the complete admission timeline for the 2026–27 academic year:

1. Uploading of Criteria & Point System

Deadline: 28 November 2025 (Friday)
By this date, all private schools must publish their admission criteria—including the point-based selection system—on the DoE admission module. These criteria will form the basis of shortlisting and cannot be altered mid-process.

2. Admission Process Begins & Forms Made Available

Start Date: 4 December 2025 (Thursday)
Parents can start accessing and filling out application forms from this day.

3. Last Date to Submit Forms

Deadline: 27 December 2025 (Saturday)
Schools must keep forms available until the final day. No school can close admissions earlier.

4. Schools Upload List of All Applicants

Date: 9 January 2026 (Friday)
Every school must publish details of all children who applied for open seats.

5. Uploading of Marks as per Point System

Date: 16 January 2026 (Friday)
Schools must assign and upload points for each applicant, based on their declared criteria (such as neighbourhood distance, sibling, alumni, etc.).

6. First List of Selected Candidates (With Waiting List)

Date: 23 January 2026 (Friday)
This list will include:

• Names of admitted students
• Waiting-list candidates
• Points allotted to each student

7. Query-Redressal for First List

Duration: 24 January–3 February 2026
Parents may raise concerns or discrepancies, which schools must address promptly.

8. Second List of Selected Candidates (If Any)

Date: 9 February 2026 (Monday)

9. Query-Redressal for Second List

Duration: 10–16 February 2026

10. Subsequent List (If Required)

Date: 5 March 2026 (Thursday)

11. Closure of Admission Process

Final Date: 19 March 2026 (Thursday)

The circular emphasises that no deviation from the schedule will be permitted, and schools must display the full schedule on both their noticeboards and official websites.

Age Criteria for Nursery, KG, and Class 1

As of 31 March 2026, the minimum and maximum age limits for entry-level admissions are:

• Nursery (Balvatika 1): 3 to 4 years
• KG: 4 to 5 years
• Class 1: 5 to 6 years

The DoE has also formalised the 6+ years entry age for Class 1, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

A child who does not meet the age bracket—even by a small margin—will not be eligible.

Accepted Proof of Residence Documents

Parents must provide any one document from the approved list to establish residential address. Acceptable documents include:

• Ration card or smart card
• Domicile certificate
• Voter ID of parent
• Electricity, water, or MTNL bill
• Passport
• Aadhaar card

Schools cannot insist on any particular document—any one valid proof is sufficient.

Registration Fee and Charges: What Schools Can and Cannot Charge

The DoE reiterates strict limits on school charges during admissions:

• Registration Fee:
  Only ₹25 (non-refundable) may be charged for the admission registration form.
• Prospectus:
  The school cannot force parents to buy a printed prospectus. If available, purchasing it must be optional.
• Application Forms:
  Forms must remain available until the last day of submission.

These rules ensure affordability and prevent schools from adding unnecessary financial pressure on parents.

25% Reservation for EWS/DG/CWSN Categories Continues

As mandated by the Right to Education (RTE) Act, private unaided recognised schools must reserve 25% seats at the entry level for:

• Economically Weaker Section (EWS)
• Disadvantaged Groups (DG)
• Children with Special Needs (CWSN)

Schools cannot admit students under these categories on their own.
The DoE will:

• Manage the complete admission process
• Conduct the centralised draw of lots
• Allocate seats directly

Any manual processing by schools is strictly prohibited.

Maintaining the Highest Entry-Level Seats

A school cannot reduce the number of seats it offers at the entry level. The circular explicitly states that the number of seats in 2026–27 must not be lower than the highest intake in the previous three academic years. This prevents artificial seat cuts and ensures stable seat availability for parents.

Draw of Lots: Mandatory for Oversubscribed Schools

If applications exceed the number of available open seats, schools must conduct a transparent draw of lots. The DoE mandates a strict procedure:

• The draw must be held in the presence of parents.
• Videography is compulsory, and recordings must be preserved.
• All paper slips must be openly demonstrated to parents.
• Parents must receive at least two days’ notice before the draw date.

These measures aim to eliminate bias, ensure transparency, and strengthen trust in the admission process.

Conclusion

The 2026–27 admission circular sets a clear, structured, and transparent framework for Nursery, KG, and Class 1 admissions in Delhi’s private unaided schools. With well-defined timelines, strict fee controls, mandatory seat reservation rules, and supervised selection procedures, the DoE aims to ensure a fair and orderly admission cycle for all families.

Parents should carefully track the dates, prepare documents early, and stay updated through school websites and the DoE portal. This year’s schedule leaves no room for ambiguity or last-minute surprises—and following it closely will help families navigate the process smoothly.

If you want, I can also convert this into a downloadable PDF or create a checklist for parents.