Delhi Private School Admission 2026: Application for nursery-Class 1 from Dec 4; DoE reiterates age limit

The Delhi government has announced the admission schedule for entry-level classes in private schools for the academic session 2026-27. The application form for Delhi private school admissions for entry-level classes – nursery to Class 1 – will be available from December 4 and the first list of selected students will be published on January 23.

The Directorate of Education (DoE) in its circular asked schools to upload their admission criteria and points for open seats by November 28. The last date for submitting the form in schools is December 27.

The DoE has reiterated that schools cannot adopt criteria that were abolished earlier by the department and upheld by the Delhi High Court. It has also reminded schools to comply with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act while framing criteria.

Schools have been directed to display the break-up of points for all criteria on their websites. They must also upload details of children admitted under open seats, including marks allotted under the points system.

To ensure transparency, schools have been asked to conduct any draw of lots in the presence of parents and record the video of the process.

Also read Delhi schools to add lower, upper KG from 2027; uniform age criteria from 2026

Age limit for nursery to Class 1 admissions

The Directorate has reiterated the age criteria for entry-level classes. For the 2026-27 admission, a child should be at least three years old for nursery, four years for KG, and five years for Class 1 as on March 31, 2026.

Schools may grant age relaxation of up to one month at the level of the head of school, it read.

A district-level monitoring cell will oversee compliance and address grievances related to the admission process. The department has also prohibited charging capitation fees and the compulsory purchase of school prospectuses, stating that only a non-refundable registration fee of Rs 25 may be charged.

DoE Private School Admission 2026: Schedule

Admissions for nursery to Class 1 in private schools in Delhi will close on March 19.

(With inputs from PTI)