Delhi Nursery Admission 2026–27
NOVEMBER 2034 - OCTOBER 2035
Delhi Nursery & Pre-Primary Admission 2026–27 — Parent’s Complete Guide
What’s New This Year
The education authorities in Delhi have introduced an important change for the 2026–27 admission cycle. For the first time, Class 1 admissions will require children to be at least 6 years old as on March 31, 2026. Alongside this, the age eligibility for early years (Nursery and KG stages) has been restructured into clear bands to align with the foundational stage model.
Revised Age Eligibility
For the academic session 2026–27, the age bands for entry-level classes in Delhi private unaided recognised schools are as follows:
Nursery (Balvatika 1 / Pre-School 1): Children aged 3+ years as on March 31, 2026
Lower Kindergarten (Balvatika 2 / Pre-School 2): Children aged 4+ years as on March 31, 2026
Upper Kindergarten (Balvatika 3 / Pre-School 3): Children aged 5+ years as on March 31, 2026
Class 1: Children must be 6+ years as on March 31, 2026
It’s crucial for parents to check the exact date-of-birth window published by each school online and confirm eligibility before applying.
Delhi Nursery Admission 2026–27: Official Guidelines & Complete Schedule (As per DoE)
The Directorate of Education (DoE), Delhi, has released the official circular dated 22 November 2025, announcing the admission schedule for Nursery, KG, and Class 1 in private unaided recognised schools for the academic session 2026–27.
This notification applies only to open-category seats. Admissions under EWS, DG, and CWSN categories are excluded from this schedule and are handled separately by the DoE.
The circular clearly defines timelines, age criteria, fee limits, documentation requirements, and transparency rules that all private unaided schools must strictly follow.
Admission Timeline: Key Dates at a Glance
| Event / Milestone | Official Date |
|---|---|
| Upload of admission criteria & point system by schools | 28 November 2025 (Friday) |
| Admission process begins; forms available | 4 December 2025 (Thursday) |
| Last date to submit application forms | 27 December 2025 (Saturday) |
| Schools upload list of all applicants | 9 January 2026 (Friday) |
| Schools upload marks/points for each applicant | 16 January 2026 (Friday) |
| First list of selected candidates (with waiting list) | 23 January 2026 (Friday) |
| Query-redressal window (first list) | 24 January – 3 February 2026 |
| Second list of selected candidates (if any) | 9 February 2026 (Monday) |
| Query-redressal window (second list) | 10 – 16 February 2026 |
| Subsequent list (if required) | 5 March 2026 (Thursday) |
| Closure of admission process | 19 March 2026 (Thursday) |
Important:
The DoE has clearly stated that no deviation from the above schedule is permitted. Schools must display this schedule on their notice boards and official websites, and application forms must remain available until the final submission date.
Age Criteria for Entry-Level Admissions (As on 31 March 2026)
To be eligible for admission, children must meet the following age requirements:
| Class | Age Requirement |
|---|---|
| Nursery (Balvatika 1) | 3 to 4 years |
| KG | 4 to 5 years |
| Class 1 | 5 to 6 years |
A child must have attained the prescribed minimum age as of 31 March 2026.
The circular also formally confirms the 6+ age requirement for Class 1, in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP).
Proof of Residence: Accepted Documents
Parents are required to submit any one of the following documents as proof of residence:
Ration Card / Smart Card
Domicile Certificate
Voter ID Card
Electricity, Water, or Telephone Bill
Passport
Aadhaar Card
Schools cannot demand documents beyond the officially listed options.
Admission Fees: Strict Cap Enforced
The DoE has reiterated long-standing norms regarding admission charges:
Maximum registration fee allowed: ₹25 (non-refundable)
Schools cannot force parents to purchase prospectuses or printed materials
Buying any printed material must remain optional
Any violation of these norms is considered non-compliance with DoE regulations.
25% EWS / DG / CWSN Quota: Important Clarification
The circular reaffirms that 25% of entry-level seats are reserved for:
Economically Weaker Section (EWS)
Disadvantaged Group (DG)
Children With Special Needs (CWSN)
Key points parents should note:
Schools cannot process these admissions independently
No manual admission is allowed for EWS/DG/CWSN categories
The DoE will conduct the entire process centrally, including the draw of lots
Seat Intake Rules: No Reduction Allowed
To prevent arbitrary seat cuts, the DoE has mandated that:
The number of entry-level seats must not be less than the highest intake offered by the school in the last three academic years
This ensures fairness and prevents artificial seat shortages.
Draw of Lots: Mandatory for Oversubscribed Schools
If the number of applications exceeds available seats, schools are required to conduct a transparent draw of lots with the following conditions:
Draw must be conducted in the presence of parents
Videography of the draw must be recorded and retained by the school
Slips used in the draw must be shown openly
Parents must be informed at least two days in advance of the draw date
This process is mandatory to ensure transparency and fairness.
What Parents Should Keep in Mind
Apply within the official window only
Verify school admission criteria and point systems carefully
Do not pay any fee beyond ₹25 at the registration stage
Keep copies of submitted documents and acknowledgement receipts
Track school websites for lists and query windows
Final Takeaway
The Delhi Nursery Admission 2026–27 process is clearly structured, time-bound, and tightly regulated by the Directorate of Education. Parents are advised to follow the official schedule, understand eligibility norms, and stay alert to school-level updates while ensuring their rights under DoE guidelines are respected.
FAQs:
1. What has the Directorate of Education announced for Nursery admissions?
The Directorate of Education (DoE) has issued revised guidelines for Nursery, KG, and Class 1 admissions in private unaided schools in Delhi. These guidelines include the points system, age criteria, timelines, and mandatory transparency measures.
2. When will the Nursery admission process for 2026–27 begin?
The admission process officially begins when schools release forms on 4 December 2025. Schools are required to publish their criteria and point distribution by 28 November 2025.
3. What is the minimum age for Nursery admissions in Delhi?
A child must be 3 years old by 31 March 2026 to be eligible for Nursery. Schools may allow a one-month grace period depending on internal policies.
4. What are the updated age norms for KG and Class 1?
KG admission requires the child to be 4 years old by 31 March 2026.
Class 1 requires the child to be 5 years old by the same date.
These norms support the NEP 2020 foundational stage structure.
5. How does the points system work in Delhi Nursery admissions?
Private unaided schools award points based on predefined criteria. Common parameters include neighbourhood distance, sibling currently enrolled, alumni status of parents, and staff-ward category. Children with higher points receive priority in selection.
6. Is distance from home to school still the most important factor?
Yes. Schools typically assign the highest weightage to proximity. Children living within the closest radius to the school often receive maximum points.
7. Do siblings studying in the same school get preference?
Absolutely. Schools usually assign specific points if an elder sibling is already enrolled. This helps families manage logistics and ensures continuity for the child.
8. Can schools introduce additional criteria?
Yes, schools may include additional parameters as long as they follow DoE rules and avoid any criteria previously rejected by authorities. All criteria must be publicly displayed before admissions start.
9. What is the maximum fee schools can charge for registration?
The DoE allows schools to charge up to ₹25 as a non-refundable registration fee. Any capitation fee or forced prospectus purchase is strictly prohibited.
10. What is the purpose of the draw of lots?
A draw of lots is used when multiple children receive the same total points but limited seats are available. Schools must conduct the draw transparently, record the process, and allow parents to witness it.
11. When will the first and second lists of selected candidates be released?
First list: 23 January 2026
Second list: 9 February 2026
These lists will include selected candidates as well as waiting list entries.
12. What should parents do if points have been calculated incorrectly?
Parents can raise issues or seek clarification from 24 January to 3 February 2026, during the designated grievance period. Schools must respond to all point-related concerns.
13. What documents do parents need for Nursery admissions?
Most schools request:
Child’s birth certificate
Residential address proof
Passport-size photographs
Sibling/alumni documents (if applicable)
Any other school-specific documents
14. When does the admission cycle officially end?
All private schools must complete the admission process by 19 March 2026.
15. How can parents best prepare for the upcoming Nursery admissions?
Parents should:
Check which schools fall within a comfortable distance
Prepare all required documents in advance
Confirm age eligibility before applying
Track announcements on school websites
Apply early when forms are launched
