The Directorate of Education (DoE), Delhi, has issued a detailed circular announcing the admission schedule for entry-level classes—Nursery, KG and Class 1—in private unaided recognised schools for the academic session 2026–27. The order, dated 22 November 2025, lays out timelines, age limits, documentation requirements, prohibited criteria, and mandatory transparency measures for schools. The circular applies only to open-category seats and excludes EWS/DG/CWSN admissions.
Applications from December 4, first list on January 23
According to the circular, schools must first upload their admission criteria and point system on the DoE module by 28th November 2025. The admission process and availability of forms for parents will begin on 4th December 2025, with the last date for submission of application forms set as 27th December 2025.By 9th January 2026, schools are required to upload details of all children who applied under open seats, followed by uploading marks as per the points system for each applicant on 16th January 2026. The first list of selected children, including the waiting list, along with marks allotted under the points system, will be displayed on 23rd January 2026.The second list of selected children, if any (including waiting list, with marks) will be displayed on 9 February
The DoE has explicitly forbidden any deviation from the notified timeline. The notice says, “No deviation from the above schedule shall be permitted. Each school shall display the aforesaid admission schedule on its notice board and website.” It also requires schools to ensure forms remain available until the final date of submission.
Age requirements for Nursery, KG and Class 1
The circular specifies age limits as on 31 March 2026:
- Nursery (Balvatika 1): 3 to 4 years
- KG: 4 to 5 years
- Class 1: 5 to 6 years
The notice states, “A child must have attained the prescribed minimum age as on 31st March 2026.” It also formalises the shift to 6+ years for Class 1, in line with NEP changes.
Proof of residence
Parents may submit any one of several listed documents as proof of residence, including ration or smart cards, domicile certificates, voter ID cards, utility bills, passports, or Aadhaar cards. The circular lists these under “Regarding documents valid as proof of address”.
Registration fee capped at ₹25
Reiterating long-standing DoE norms, the notice caps all admission-related charges. It states clearly, “Only Rs. 25/- (Non-refundable) can be charged… as admission registration fee.”Schools are also barred from forcing parents to buy prospectuses, with the circular noting that the purchase of printed material “shall be optional.” They must also keep application forms available until the last submission date and publicly display the full schedule on their noticeboards and websites.
25% EWS/DG/CWSN quota to continue
The circular reaffirms the statutory requirement of reserving 25% seats for EWS, DG, and Children with Disabilities at entry level. It reads, “All private unaided recognized schools… shall reserve 25% seats for EWS/DG category students & Child with Disability…” It further clarifies that schools are not allowed to admit these categories on their own.“No private unaided recognized schools shall process the admission of EWS/DG/CWSN free-ship category students manually.” The DoE will handle the full process centrally, including the draw of lots for these seats.
Highest number of entry-level seats to be maintained
To prevent seat cuts, the notice requires schools to keep at least the highest intake from recent years. It states, “The number of seats at entry level… shall not be less than the highest number of seats… during the previous three years.”
Mandatory draw of lots for oversubscribed schools
If the number of applications exceeds the number of available seats, schools must conduct a transparent draw of lots. The circular lays out strict requirements. “The draw of lots… shall be conducted in a transparent manner in presence of parents… videography of the draw shall be maintained/retained by the school,” it reads. It adds that slips must be demonstrated openly. Parents must be notified at least two days prior to the draw date.Check the official notice here.
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