Parents in the national capital are gearing up for the crucial process of securing seats for their young children in Delhi's schools. The Directorate of Education (DoE) has officially announced that the registration window for entry-level admissions for the 2026-27 academic session will open on 4 December. With the schedule now public, families must prepare their documents in advance to ensure a smooth application process.
Essential Documents and Registration Fee
To complete the admission registration, parents must provide valid proof of address. The DoE has specified a list of acceptable documents that can be submitted. It is important to note that these documents should be in the name of either the child or the parents.
The accepted proofs include a Ration or Smart Card, a Domicile certificate, the Voter ID (EPIC) of a parent, and utility bills such as electricity, MTNL telephone, or water bills. A current Passport or an Aadhaar/UID card issued to a parent is also valid for this purpose.
During the registration process, schools are permitted to charge a nominal, non-refundable fee capped at just ₹25. This directive from the state government aims to keep the process accessible. Every school is required to display the complete admission schedule, including this fee detail, on its notice board and official website.
Key Dates and Age Criteria for Admission
Parents have a limited window to submit their applications. The registration portal will remain open until 27 December. Submitting forms well before this deadline is highly recommended to avoid last-minute technical issues or delays.
The age eligibility for admissions to Nursery (Balvatika 1), Lower KG (Balvatika 2), Upper KG (Balvatika 3), and Class 1 will be based on the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 guidelines. The DoE circular clarifies that for the 2026-27 session, a child must have attained the minimum prescribed age as of 31 March 2026.
However, a provision for age relaxation of up to one month exists. Parents seeking this relaxation must submit a manual application to the Head of the concerned school. Meanwhile, students already enrolled in nursery, KG, or Class 1 will be promoted according to the previous criteria.
Transparent Selection and Important Lists
The selection process will involve a computerized draw of lots or a manual system using slips, conducted with full transparency. Schools must ensure the draw happens in the presence of registered parents. Videography of the entire draw process is mandatory for record-keeping.
Parents will receive intimation about the draw date at least two days in advance via the school's website, notice board, and email. Before the draw, the school must show the slips to parents before they are placed in the box.
Individual schools released their specific point-based criteria on 28 November, outlining their unique selection parameters. The first list of selected candidates, along with the points they secured, will be publicly displayed on 23 January.
The comprehensive admission notification was issued by the Delhi government on 22 November, setting the stage for the annual process that thousands of families eagerly navigate. Staying informed about these dates and requirements is the first step toward securing a seat for your child.
