The DoE Circular — What Was Released?

The Directorate of Education (DoE), Delhi, released the official admission schedule for entry-level classes — Nursery, 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.

Two separate processes run in parallel for the same seats:

Complete Admission Schedule — General / Open Category

The DoE released a structured timeline that every private unaided recognised school must follow:

The notice reads: “No deviation from the above schedule shall be permitted. Each school shall display the aforesaid admission schedule on its notice board and website.”

Age Criteria 2026-27 — The NEP 2020 Change Every Parent Must Know

This year, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 age norms are fully implemented, meaning children must be 6+ years old for Class 1 admission. This change ensures that children begin formal schooling at the right developmental stage.

The notice states: “A child must have attained the prescribed minimum age as on 31st March 2026.”

Critical for Class 1 parents: The 6-year minimum is firm under NEP 2020. A child who is even a few days under 6 years on March 31, 2026 is not eligible for Class 1 admission. Schools may allow a one-month relaxation at the discretion of the principal, but this is not guaranteed. Check your child’s exact birth date before applying.

The Points System — How Schools Select Students

When applications exceed available seats, Delhi private schools use a point-based selection system mandated by DoE. Schools assign points to applicants based on declared criteria, which must be published before the process begins.

Allowed Criteria (common examples):

Distance matters most. Distance is one of the highest-weighted criteria in the point-system. Schools typically award more points to children who live within specified radii. Living closer to your preferred school significantly improves your child’s chances.

Criteria Banned by DoE (schools cannot use):

• Interview of child or parent
• Parents’ educational qualifications
• Parents’ profession or income
• First-come-first-served registration
• Any basis that discriminates against caste, religion or community

Draw of Lots — When and How It Works

If applications with equal points exceed available seats, schools conduct a draw of lots. The draw must be transparent, unbiased, and conducted in the presence of parents. Each list includes selected candidates as well as waiting-list applicants.

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.

What this means for parents: If you are in the draw of lots, you have the right to attend. If you receive less than 2 days’ notice, you can flag the violation to the DoE.

Fee Rules — What Schools Can and Cannot Charge

Parents submitting application forms are required to provide proof of residence and ₹25 as admission fees (non-refundable).

The Directorate of Education allows schools to charge a maximum of ₹25 as a non-refundable registration fee. Charging capitation fees or forcing parents to buy prospectuses is strictly prohibited.

If any school charges more than ₹25 or pressures you to buy a prospectus, report it to the DoE helpline. These are clear violations of the official circular.

Seat Protection Rule — Schools Cannot Cut 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.

This is a significant protection for parents — schools that tried to reduce seat availability in previous years to create artificial scarcity are now explicitly prohibited from doing so.

EWS / DG Admissions — The Separate Government Process

Under the Right to Education (RTE) Act 2009, all private unaided recognised schools in Delhi must reserve 25% of entry-level seats for children from Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and Disadvantaged Groups (DG).

The DoE asked all private schools to reserve 25% seats for EWS/DG Category students and Children with Disabilities.

EWS Category Eligibility:

The annual family income from all sources must not exceed ₹5 lakh rupees. Candidates must not belong to the reserved categories of SC/ST/OBC categories.

DG (Disadvantaged Group) Category Eligibility:

Candidates who belong to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer), orphans, transgender children, and children affected by HIV can register under DG Category.

EWS/DG 2026-27 Timeline:

Documents Required for EWS/DG:

The required documents for Delhi EWS/DG Admission 2026-27 are: Birth Certificate, Address Proof, Income Certificate (for EWS), Caste Certificate (if applicable / for DG), Disability Certificate (for CWSN category), and recent passport-size photographs.

Important for EWS applicants: For DG Category, there is no need to provide an income certificate as a necessary document for admission. Only the relevant caste certificate is required.

Documents Needed — General Category Application

For open/general category applications at private schools, parents must typically provide:

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

Valid address proof (any one): Aadhaar card, Voter ID, electricity bill, water bill, rent agreement, ration card, bank passbook, or any other government-issued document showing your Delhi address.

10-Point Parent Checklist — Before You Apply

Use this checklist to make sure you are fully prepared:

• Check your child’s exact date of birth — verify eligibility for Nursery/KG/Class 1 as on March 31, 2026
• Identify 5–10 schools within 3–5 km of your home (distance gets highest points)
• Visit school websites in November 2025 to read their admission criteria before they close
• Collect address proof documents early — do not wait until December
• Download the DoE admission circular from edudel.nic.in to know your rights
• Check school’s past point thresholds to estimate your child’s chances
• Apply to multiple schools — there is no limit on how many you can apply to
• Track all list dates (January 9, 16, 23) on your calendar
• File a grievance immediately if something seems wrong during the grievance window (January 24 – February 3)
• For EWS/DG families: apply separately at ewsadmissions.delhi.gov.in — do not apply through individual school websites

Delhi School Admission 2026-27 — FAQs

Q. When did Delhi school admission 2026-27 forms open?

December 4, 2025 — when application forms became available at Delhi private unaided recognised schools for Nursery, KG and Class 1 open-category seats.

Q. What is the age limit for Class 1 in Delhi 2026-27?

Minimum 6 years as on March 31, 2026 — fully aligned with NEP 2020. A child born between April 1, 2019 and March 31, 2020 qualifies.

Q. What is the registration fee for Delhi school admissions?

Only ₹25 (non-refundable). Schools charging more are violating DoE rules — report them to the DoE immediately.

Q. How does the point system work?

Schools assign points to each applicant based on declared criteria — distance (highest weight), sibling, alumni, girl child etc. Children with the most points are selected first. If points are tied, a draw of lots decides.

Q. Is the draw of lots transparent?

Yes — DoE mandates it must be conducted in the presence of parents, videographed, with all paper slips shown openly. Parents must receive at least 2 days’ notice.

Q. What is the EWS admission portal for Delhi?

ewsadmissions.delhi.gov.in — where EWS and DG category parents apply for 25% reserved seats in private schools.

Q. What is the income limit for EWS admission?

Family income from all sources must not exceed ₹5 lakh per year. SC/ST/OBC families apply under the DG category, not EWS.

Q. Can schools reduce seats in 2026-27?

No — DoE circular explicitly states schools cannot offer fewer seats than their highest intake in the previous three academic years.

Q. How many schools can I apply to?

There is no limit — parents commonly apply to 5–10 schools based on proximity and criteria match.

Q. Where is the official DoE admission portal?

edudel.nic.in — for government school and general admission information. ewsadmissions.delhi.gov.in specifically for EWS/DG/CWSN seat applications.