The wait is almost over! The Delhi Directorate of Education (DoE) has officially announced that applications for Nursery, Kindergarten (KG), and Class 1 admissions in more than 1,700 private unaided schools across the national capital will open on December 4, 2025. This is the moment thousands of anxious parents have been preparing for all year.

Here’s your complete guide to the upcoming admission cycle for the academic session 2026-27.

Key Dates at a Glance

• Application forms available from: December 4, 2025
• Last date for submission: Usually around December 27, 2025 (exact date will be confirmed by individual schools)
• First list of selected candidates: Typically second week of January 2026
• Second list (if seats remain): End of January/early February 2026
• Entire admission process to conclude by: March 31, 2026

Always check the school’s official website for exact timelines, as schools are allowed to set their own deadlines within the DoE framework.

Age Criteria (as on March 31, 2026)

• Nursery: Child should be at least 3 years old (less than 4 years)
• KG: Child should be at least 4 years old (less than 5 years)
• Class 1: Child should be at least 5 years old (less than 6 years)

A relaxation of up to 30 days may be given by the school head in exceptional cases.

The Lottery System – What Hasn’t Changed

Despite periodic demands to scrap it, the draw of lots (lottery) remains the primary method for seat allocation in the General (Open) category whenever applications exceed available seats. The entire draw is conducted publicly, recorded on video, and overseen by a committee that includes parents and DoE observers to ensure complete transparency.

Reservation of Seats

Every private unaided school on government-allotted land must reserve:

• 25% seats for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), Disadvantaged Group (DG), and Children with Special Needs (CwSN) – admission through online DoE portal only
• 75% seats fall under the school’s own criteria (open/general seats)

Many top schools also voluntarily reserve seats for staff children, siblings, alumni, management quota (capped at certain percentages), etc.

Points System – Still the Norm

Most schools follow a 100-point criteria framework. Common parameters include:

• Neighbourhood/Distance from school (up to 8 km usually gets higher points)
• Sibling studying in the same school
• Parent alumni of the school
• Girl child
• First-born child
• Single parent/child
• Transferable job (armed forces, central govt, etc.)

Each school publishes its own criteria and point allocation on its website by November 28, 2025 (mandatory as per DoE guidelines).

Documents You Will Need

Keep scanned copies/PDFs ready:

• Child’s birth certificate
• Proof of residence (Aadhaar, electricity bill, rent agreement, etc.)
• Photograph of child and both parents
• Caste certificate (if applicable)
• EWS/DG certificate issued by Delhi government (for 25% reserved category)
• Medical certificate (for CwSN category)

Pro Tips for Parents

1. Start shortlisting schools now – Check last year’s first-list cut-offs (points) on school websites.
2. Apply to 15–25 schools – Don’t put all eggs in one basket.
3. Prioritise neighbourhood schools – Distance still carries the highest weightage (often 50–70 points).
4. Fill forms carefully – Even small mistakes can lead to rejection.
5. Attend the open-house sessions many schools are organising in November–December.
6. Keep checking the DoE website (www.edudel.nic.in) for circulars and the EWS/DG draw module (usually opens in February–March).

EWS/DG Admissions – Separate Process

Parents applying under the 25% reserved category doily need to wait for the DoE’s dedicated portal (expected to open in February 2026). Income limit for EWS remains ₹1 lakh per annum (subject to change – watch for official notification).

Final Word

The Delhi nursery admission season is stressful, but the lottery system and strict DoE guidelines have made the process far more transparent and merit-based than it was a decade ago. Start your preparation early, stay calm, and remember – there are hundreds of excellent schools in Delhi. Your child will find the right one.

Good luck to all parents embarking on this journey! 🌟

Feel free to drop your questions in the comments – I’ll try to answer based on the latest DoE guidelines.

(Updated as of November 2025 – always cross-check with official DoE notifications.)

  Class 1, Kindergarten, Nursery Admissions 2026-27