Distance Takes Center Stage in Delhi's Nursery Admissions for 2026-27
Private schools across Delhi have officially begun publishing their admission criteria for nursery classes for the academic year 2026-27. In a significant trend, the proximity of a child's residence to the school has emerged as the single most crucial factor, with some institutions assigning it a staggering weightage of up to 80 points out of a total of 100. The process, governed by the Directorate of Education (DoE), promises transparency with clear point distribution and video-recorded lotteries.
School-Specific Criteria and Point Allocation
The released criteria reveal a strong emphasis on neighbourhood. Darbari Lal DAV Model School in Pitampura has given the highest known weightage to distance, awarding 80 points to applicants living within 0–2 km, 70 points for 2–5 km, and 60 points for 5–8 km. Other factors like sibling and alumni connections carry 10 points each.
Similarly, Indraprastha International School in Dwarka has allotted 55 points to children living within 0-12 km. Tagore International School in East of Kailash offers 50 points to those residing within a 4-km radius or in areas covered by school transport. NK Bagrodia Public School in Rohini has allocated 70 points for its neighbourhood category.
Other common parameters include preferences for siblings, children of alumni, and staff wards. Amity International School in Saket, for instance, has assigned 30 points for distance, 20 for siblings and staff wards, and 30 for alumni. New Green Field School in Alaknanda has a unique allocation of 15 points for a girl child or first-born male child.
Sudha Acharya, Principal of ITL International School in Dwarka, explained the rationale, stating, "Proximity remains the most practical factor for us, and giving weightage to siblings and alumni helps strengthen long-term family associations with the school."
Admission Schedule and Key Guidelines for Parents
The Directorate of Education has laid out a clear and non-negotiable timeline for the entire admission process. The journey for parents begins on December 4, 2025, when application forms will become available. The last date for submitting these forms is December 27, 2025.
Schools are mandated to upload all applicant details by January 9, 2026, and display the point-based allocations by January 16, 2026. The much-anticipated first list of selected candidates will be released on January 23, 2026. Parents will have a window from January 24 to February 3 to seek any clarifications. A second list will be published on February 9, 2026, with the entire process concluding on March 19, 2026.
To ensure fairness and transparency, the DoE has issued strict instructions:
- Schools must clearly display the point distribution on their websites.
- Details of selected students under open seats must be uploaded along with their scores.
- Any draw of lots must be conducted in the presence of parents and must be video recorded.
- Schools can only charge a non-refundable registration fee of Rs 25.
- No capitation fee or compulsory purchase of prospectuses is permitted.
Age Criteria and Important Reminders
For admission to the 2026-27 academic year, a child must meet the following age criteria as on March 31, 2026:
- Nursery: 3 to 4 years
- KG (Kindergarten): 4 to 5 years
- Class 1: 5 to 6 years
Schools have the discretion to allow age relaxation of up to one month. The DoE has also reiterated that all recognized unaided private schools must comply with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act and cannot adopt any criteria previously abolished by the department. A district-level monitoring cell will be actively overseeing compliance to ensure a smooth and fair admission process for all.
