The Jharkhand Education Project Council (JEPC) has officially rolled out the admission framework for the prestigious Chief Minister's Schools of Excellence (SoE) for the upcoming 2026-27 academic year. The guidelines, released on Monday, specifically detail the process for entry into Bal Vatika and Class I, marking a crucial step for parents seeking quality education for their young children in the state.
Seat Allocation and Application Process
Each CM School of Excellence will have a total of 80 seats available for the junior-most classes, with 40 seats reserved for Bal Vatika and another 40 for Class I. To ensure a smooth and transparent process, the JEPC has entrusted district education officers with the primary responsibility of collecting application forms and coordinating closely with the state project office.
A significant move to eliminate confusion is the planned release of a consolidated, school-wise seat matrix. This document will provide clear information on the number of available seats in each institution, thereby preventing any discrepancies during the admission procedure.
Key Dates and Public Awareness Drive
The council has issued a strict timeline for districts to follow. Authorities have been directed to widely publicise all admission-related information by January 22, 2026. This publicity drive will utilise multiple channels including:
- Notice boards at schools.
- Offices of the district education officers.
- Official government and education department websites.
This multi-pronged approach aims to ensure that every eligible parent is adequately informed. Following the publicity phase, the application window will open and remain active until February 16, 2026. Parents must submit all required forms within this period to be considered for admission.
Priority for Local Students
In a move that underscores the importance of community-based schooling, the JEPC guidelines place special emphasis on neighbourhood access. The admission policy will follow a clear priority system:
- First preference will be given to children residing within a 2-kilometre radius of the respective School of Excellence.
- If seats remain vacant, children living within a 7-kilometre radius of the school will be considered next.
This structured approach is designed to make these centres of educational excellence more accessible to children in their immediate vicinity, reducing travel time and fostering local community engagement with the schools.
The release of these detailed guidelines provides much-needed clarity for thousands of families in Jharkhand aspiring to secure a seat in the state's flagship CM Schools of Excellence. With the process now clearly outlined, parents can begin their preparations well in advance of the 2026-27 academic session.
