Private unaided schools across the national capital will announce the highly anticipated first nursery admission list for the 2026–27 academic session today. This significant milestone involves approximately 1.25 lakh children who have been listed, including those placed on waiting lists, marking the commencement of the annual admission process officially overseen by the Directorate of Education.
Comprehensive Admission Structure and Revised Age Criteria
Under the revised admission framework issued by the Directorate of Education, the foundational stage now encompasses Nursery and Kindergarten, followed by Class 1. For the upcoming 2026–27 academic session, specific age criteria have been established: a child must be at least three years old for Nursery admission, four years for Kindergarten, and five years for Class 1 as of March 31, 2026. Schools retain the discretion to grant an age relaxation of up to one month, subject to approval by the head of the institution.
Automatic Progression and Eligibility Clarifications
The Directorate of Education has provided clear guidelines regarding automatic progression. Children who were admitted to Nursery during the 2025–26 session will automatically advance to Kindergarten in 2026–27, while those currently in Kindergarten will progress to Class 1. Consequently, Nursery admissions for the 2026–27 session are exclusively applicable to children who have completed three years but have not yet reached four years of age by March 31, 2026.
Detailed Admission Schedule and Points System Implementation
According to the meticulously planned admission schedule, schools were required to upload their specific criteria and points for open seats, excluding categories such as Economically Weaker Sections, Disadvantaged Groups, and Children with Special Needs, by November 28. The final deadline for submitting application forms was December 27. Subsequently, schools uploaded comprehensive applicant details on January 9 and published the marks allocated under the points system by January 16.
Schools have adopted diverse criteria to evaluate applications, including factors like neighbourhood distance, sibling preference, and alumni connections. The first admission list along with the waiting list will be officially released today, followed by a second list scheduled for February 9. Parents are permitted to seek clarifications regarding point allocation from January 24 to February 3, with the entire admission process concluding on March 19.
Step-by-Step Guide to Check and Download the Nursery Admission List
- Visit the official website of the respective private school where you have applied.
- Navigate to the nursery admission section or notices area on the homepage.
- Click on the designated link for the first nursery admission list pertaining to the 2026–27 academic session.
- Download the PDF file that contains the names of selected candidates and those on the waiting list.
- Carefully check your child's name and take note of any further instructions provided by the school.
Transparency Measures and Grievance Redressal Mechanisms
The Directorate of Education has mandated that any draw of lots, if necessary, must be conducted in the presence of parents and be video recorded to ensure complete transparency. A dedicated monitoring cell has been established to oversee compliance with all regulations and to address any grievances that may arise during the admission process.
This annual admission exercise involves 1,741 private schools across Delhi releasing their lists simultaneously, representing a crucial phase in the educational journey for thousands of families. The structured approach aims to streamline admissions while maintaining fairness and accessibility for all applicants.
