The Directorate of Education (DoE), Delhi, has officially released the detailed admission schedule for entry-level classes in private unaided recognized schools for the upcoming 2026-27 academic session. This announcement outlines key dates for nursery, pre-primary, and Class 1 admissions. The registration period for open seats is set to commence on December 4 , initiating the application process for thousands of prospective students across the city.
The application window for these open seats will remain active for several weeks, concluding on December 27, 2025 . This initial phase of admissions is specifically designed for students who will be below six years of age at the time of admission. It is important to note that this schedule pertains exclusively to “open seats,” which are separate from categories reserved under various government provisions aimed at social equity.
A significant aspect of Delhi’s education policy is the reservation of seats in private schools. The DoE mandates that all schools offering pre-school, pre-primary, and Class 1 admissions must allocate 25% of their total seats . These reserved seats are specifically for students belonging to Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), Disadvantaged Groups (DG), and Children With Special Needs (CWSN). This ensures broader access to education for vulnerable segments of society.
For parents wishing to register their children, a standard non-refundable fee of Rs 25 will be charged per application form. The DoE policy clearly states that the purchase of any school prospectus by parents is entirely optional. This measure helps to standardize application costs and provides financial relief to families during the admission process, ensuring equitable access to registration.
Eligibility Criteria: Age Requirements for 2026-27 Admissions
Strict age criteria apply for all admissions to nursery, KG, and Class 1. Students must meet these specific age requirements as of March 31, 2026 . The DoE establishes these limits to ensure children are placed in developmentally appropriate learning environments. Prospective applicants and their families must verify eligibility before proceeding with registration:
| Class | Minimum & Maximum Age (As on 31st March, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Nursery (Balvatika 1, Pre-school 1) | 3+ years up to 4 years |
| KG | 4+ years up to 5 years |
| Class 1 | 5+ years up to 6 years |
Delhi Nursery Admissions 2026: Detailed Timeline for Open Seats
The DoE has issued a comprehensive and sequential timeline that details every critical stage of the open seat admission process. This schedule provides clarity on when schools will upload applicant information, display various selection lists, and facilitate resolutions for parental queries. All involved parties, including school administrations and applying families, must strictly adhere to these established dates to ensure a fair and organized admission cycle:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Uploading details of children who applied to the school for admission under Open Seats | January 9, 2026 |
| Uploading marks (as per points system) given to each of the children who applied for admission under open seats | January 16, 2026 |
| Display of the First List of selected children (including Waiting List) (along with marks allotted under points system) | January 23, 2026 |
| Resolution of queries of parents, if any (by written/email/verbal interaction) regarding allotment of points to their wards for the first list. | January 24 to February 3, 2026 |
| Display of the Second List of selected children (if any) (including Waiting list) (along with marks allotted under points system) | February 9, 2026 |
| Resolution of queries of parents, if any (by written/email/verbal interaction) regarding allotment of points to their wards in the second list. | February 10 to February 16, 2026 |
| Display of subsequent list of admission, if any | March 3, 2026 |
| Official closure of the admission process | March 19, 2026 |
Parents and guardians are strongly advised to keep abreast of official announcements from the DoE and individual school websites for any further updates or clarifications. The entire admission process for the 2026-27 academic session will officially conclude on March 19, 2026 , requiring all formalities to be completed by this deadline.