New Delhi. : The Directorate of Education (DoE), Delhi has issued the complete schedule, updated age requirements, and revised guidelines for Nursery, KG, and Class 1 admissions in private schools for the 2026–27 academic session. While the broad admission structure remains similar to previous years, several important changes have been introduced to ensure greater clarity and transparency for parents.
Revised Age Criteria for 2026–27
One of the major updates this year is the introduction of clearly defined age brackets, replacing the earlier “under-age” format that often created confusion.
For admissions in the 2026–27 session, a child must be:
- Nursery: Between 3 and 4 years
- KG: Between 4 and 5 years
- Class 1: Between 5 and 6 years
- (All ages calculated as on March 31, 2026)
Schools may allow an optional age relaxation of up to one month at their discretion. The revised system aims to reduce ambiguity and bring uniformity across Delhi’s private schools.
Complete Admission Schedule 2026–27
The DoE has announced the following timeline:
- Registration begins: December 4, 2025
- Registration closes: December 27, 2025
- First admission list (with waitlist): January 23, 2026
- Query/clarification window: January 24 – February 3
- Second admission list: February 9
- Grievance redressal period: February 10 – 16
- Additional list for vacant seats: March 5
- Admission process concludes: March 19
This schedule is mandatory for all recognised private unaided schools.
Mandatory Videography and Transparent Draw-of-Lots
To strengthen fairness in the selection process, the DoE has once again stressed:
- 100% video recording of all draw-of-lots
- Strict ban on disallowed or previously scrapped admission criteria
- Compulsory adherence to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act
Schools must also avoid levying any additional charges.
- Registration fee: ₹25 (unchanged)
- No capitation fees
- No mandatory purchase of school prospectuses
What Remains Unchanged
Most commonly used criteria such as distance, sibling, alumni, and single-parent categories remain unaffected.
Schools can design their own points systems, as long as they comply with DoE rules. For reference, last year’s distance criteria included:
- 0–6 km: 50 points
- 8–15 km: 30 points
Parents have repeatedly expressed concerns over opaque practices and misuse of quotas. Many believe that a stronger monitoring mechanism is essential to restore transparency.
What’s New This Year
The DoE has introduced several enhanced measures to improve monitoring and accountability:
- Stricter scrutiny of admission criteria
- Mandatory online publication of:
- All criteria
- Point distribution
- Complete applicant information
- Stronger enforcement of videography rules
Schools must follow the notified schedule without exception, ensuring a uniform and transparent system across the city.
With thousands of families preparing for the nursery admission cycle, the revised rules for 2026–27 aim to simplify processes, reduce ambiguity, and create a more accountable system for early-years education in Delhi.
Click Here for More Exams / Admission