The Delhi government has officially announced the complete schedule and criteria for nursery admissions in private schools for the academic session 2026-27. The Directorate of Education (DoE) released the detailed admission framework on November 27, 2025, setting in motion the highly anticipated process that thousands of parents across the capital await each year.
Complete Admission Timeline Revealed
According to the official notification, the admission process will follow a structured timeline with several key milestones. Application forms will become available starting December 4, 2025, giving parents approximately three weeks to complete and submit their applications before the December 27 deadline.
The process includes several important checkpoints in the new year. Schools are required to upload details of all applicants by January 9, 2026, followed by the release of marks allocated to each child under the points system by January 16. The first list of selected candidates, along with the waiting list, will be declared on January 23, 2026, providing clarity to anxious parents. A second list will follow on February 9 for any remaining vacancies.
Age Criteria and Eligibility Standards
The DoE has established clear age requirements for different entry-level classes, with March 31, 2026, serving as the cutoff date. For nursery admissions, children must be between three and four years old, while KG requires children to be four to five years old. Class 1 admissions will cater to children aged five to six years.
Schools have been granted limited flexibility, with age relaxation of up to one month permitted at the discretion of the head of school. These norms will be uniformly implemented across all recognized unaided private schools in Delhi, ensuring consistency in the admission process.
Transparency and Compliance Measures
The Delhi government has emphasized transparency throughout the admission process. Private schools must upload their specific admission criteria and point allocation systems for open seats by November 28, 2025, excluding seats reserved for EWS, DG, and CWSN categories.
All schools are mandated to clearly display point distribution for each criterion on their websites and upload details of students admitted under open seats, including their point scores. The circular specifically requires that any draw of lots be conducted in the presence of parents and video recorded to ensure fairness.
The DoE has reiterated that schools cannot adopt admission criteria previously abolished by the department and upheld by the Delhi High Court. Additionally, schools must comply with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act while framing their admission norms.
Fee Regulations and Grievance Redressal
In a move to protect parents from excessive financial burdens, the education department has reinforced that schools may collect only a non-refundable registration fee of Rs 25. The circular explicitly prohibits schools from charging capitation fees or compelling parents to purchase prospectuses.
Parents will have an opportunity to seek clarification on point allocation from January 24 to February 3, 2026. The entire admission process is scheduled to conclude on March 19, 2026. A district-level monitoring cell will oversee compliance and handle any grievances that may arise during the admission period.
This comprehensive framework aims to streamline the nursery admission process in Delhi's private schools while maintaining fairness and transparency for all stakeholders involved.
