The much-anticipated admission process for entry-level classes (Nursery/Pre-School, KG/Pre-Primary, and Class 1) in private unaided schools across Delhi for the Academic Session 2026-27 officially kicks off today, Thursday, December 4, 2025. Parents seeking admission for their children must initiate the application process immediately as the registration window is time-bound.
Key Admission Schedule: What Parents Must Know
The entire admission process is conducted over a fixed timeline to ensure fairness and efficiency. Here are the crucial dates for the 2026-27 session:
| Event | Date |
| Start Date for Application Forms | December 4, 2025 (Thursday) |
| Last Date for Submission of Application Forms | December (Typically 3-4 weeks from start date) |
| Uploading Details of Applicants (on school websites) | January (Mid-month) |
| Display of First List of Selected Candidates | January/February (Late January/Early February) |
| Resolution of Queries from Parents | Following the release of the first list |
| Display of Second List of Selected Candidates (if any) | February/March |
| Conclusion of the Admission Process | March 31, 2026 |
Eligibility Criteria: Age Limit is Crucial
Age is the most critical factor for entry-level admissions. The eligibility cut-off date is set as March 31, 2026. Parents must ensure their child meets the minimum and maximum age criteria as of this date:
| Class | Minimum Age (as on March 31, 2026) | Maximum Age (as on March 31, 2026) |
| Nursery / Pre-School | 3 Years | Less than 4 Years |
| KG / Pre-Primary | 4 Years | Less than 5 Years |
| Class I | 5 Years | Less than 6 Years |
Note: Children who do not meet the minimum age cut-off by even a single day are not eligible to apply.
Mandatory Documents Required for Application
Parents must keep the following documents (original and self-attested copies) ready, as they are essential for the application form and subsequent verification:
- Child's Birth Certificate: Issued by a competent municipal authority, serving as proof of the child's Date of Birth.
- Residence Proof: Any one of the following:
- Ration Card/Smart Card issued in the name of parents (having the name of the child).
- Domicile Certificate of child or his/her parents.
- Voter I-Card (EPIC) of either of the parents.
- Electricity Bill/Water Bill/Telephone Bill/Passport in the name of either parent or child.
- Aadhaar Card/UID Card issued in the name of either of the parents.
- Photograph: Recent passport-size photograph of the child and both parents (or guardian).
- Aadhaar Card: Aadhaar Card/UID Card of the child.
- Proof for Specific Criteria (If Applicable): Documents supporting Sibling, Alumni, or Staff Ward criteria.
Understanding the Admission Points System (Criteria)
The selection process is based on a 100-point scale where schools allot points based on pre-defined criteria.3 The common criteria and their typical weightage are:
| Criteria | Typical Points Allotted | Purpose |
| Distance of Residence (Radius) | Highest Weightage (40-60 points) | Preference to students residing closest to the school. |
| Sibling Quota | 20 points | Preference if an older sibling is currently studying in the same school. |
| Alumni Quota | 5-10 points | Preference if one or both parents are alumni of the school. |
| Staff Ward Quota | 5-10 points | Preference if a parent is employed by the school. |
Schools are mandated to upload their specific 100-point criteria breakdown on their official websites for transparency. Parents must choose schools based primarily on the distance from their residence to maximise their child's chance of selection.
EWS/DG Category Admissions
Parents seeking admission under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and Disadvantaged Group (DG) categories should note that their admission process is conducted separately by the DoE through a centralized online lottery system.4 Applications for this category are submitted via the DoE website and not directly to the schools.
Action Plan for Parents
- Research: Identify all schools within a 1-5 km radius of your residence.
- Check Criteria: Visit the official website of the target schools to download their specific admission criteria and application forms.
- Apply Early: Complete and submit the application forms (both online and offline, as required) before the last date.
- Monitor: Regularly check the school websites for updates regarding the list displays and verification schedules.
This is a competitive process, and meticulous attention to deadlines and document submission is key to securing admission in the school of your choice.
