DOE Delhi Nursery Admission 2026-27: Nursery admission process in private schools of Delhi will start from December 4 know the latest updates!

DOE Delhi Nursery Admission 2026-27: Delhi’s nursery admission season is back, and this time the Directorate of Education (DoE) has released a clear schedule, age criteria, and documentation checklist for the 2026–27 session. Parents planning for Nursery, KG, or Class 1 in private unaided schools must track dates from 4 December 2025 and ensure their child meets the age cut-off as on 31 March 2026.​

Overview of DOE Delhi Nursery Admission 2026-27

The DoE circular covers entry-level classes—Nursery (Balvatika 1), KG and Class 1—in around 1,700+ private unaided recognised schools in Delhi for the academic year 2026–27. The guidelines apply to open seats only; separate notifications will govern EWS, DG and CWSN admissions through a centralised process.​

Schools must upload their admission criteria and point system on the DoE module and their own websites before opening applications, ensuring transparency and preventing arbitrary rules.​

Important dates and schedule

For open (general) category seats, the key dates are:​

• By 28 November 2025:
  • Schools upload admission criteria and points on the DoE portal and school websites.
• 4 December 2025:
  • Start of admission process and availability of forms for parents.
• 27 December 2025:
  • Last date for submission of application forms.
• Around 9 January 2026:
  • Schools upload details of all applicants.
• Around 16 January 2026:
  • Schools upload marks/points awarded to each applicant.
• 23 January 2026:
• Late January–early February 2026:
• 9 February 2026 (approx.):
  • Second list of selected candidates, if required.​
• Mid-February 2026:
  • Query redressal window for second list.
• 5 March 2026 (if needed):
  • Subsequent list, if any.
• 19 March 2026:
  • Closure of admission process.​

The DoE has clearly stated that no school may deviate from this notified timeline, and forms must remain available until the last date.​

Age criteria for Nursery, KG and Class 1

Age is calculated as on 31 March 2026.​

• Nursery (Balvatika 1):
  • Minimum age: 3 years; maximum: 4 years.
• KG (Balvatika 2):
  • Minimum age: 4 years; maximum: 5 years.
• Class 1 (Balvatika 3 / Class 1):
  • Minimum age: 5 years; maximum: 6 years.

The circular allows heads of schools to grant up to one month relaxation (both upper and lower) in genuine cases, on written request by parents. Parents should double-check their child’s date of birth versus the 31 March 2026 cut-off before filling any form.​

Required documents for admission forms

While exact lists may vary slightly by school, the DoE notification and media summaries indicate a standard set of documents parents should keep ready:​

• Child-related
  • Birth certificate for age proof (from MCD/NDMC or appropriate authority).
  • Recent passport-size photographs of the child.
  • Aadhaar card/UID (if available).
• Parent-related
  • Aadhaar card/UID of either/both parents.
  • Identity proof (PAN, voter ID, driving licence, passport etc.).
• Address proof (any one, typically in parent’s or child’s name)
  • Electricity/MTNL telephone/water bill.
  • Ration card, voter ID, or passport.
  • Aadhaar showing current address.
• Other category proofs (if applying under specific school criteria)
  • Sibling proof (fee receipt/report card).
  • Alumni certificate.
  • Staff ward certificate, if applicable.

Schools cannot charge a registration fee above a small cap (commonly ₹25) for the form, and must clearly disclose the fee on their website.​

Points, criteria and draw of lots

Each school uses a points-based system for open seats, but must follow DoE’s broad guidelines:​

• Allowed criteria (examples)
  • Neighbourhood/distance from school.
  • Sibling in the same school.
  • Alumni parent.
  • Girl child, firstborn, or staff ward (if adopted uniformly).
• Prohibited criteria
  • Any discriminatory, biased, or non-transparent criterion.
  • Interviews or screening of children or parents.
  • Capitation fees or donations linked to admission.​
• Draw of lots
  • If applications exceed seats, schools must conduct a computerized or manual draw of lots in the presence of parents for candidates with equal points.​
  • The process should be documented and lists with assigned points must be displayed on school notice boards and websites.​

The number of Nursery/KG/Class 1 seats offered in 2026–27 cannot be lower than the highest entry-level intake in the past three years, preventing seat reduction.​

Key rules for EWS/DG/CWSN seats

• 25% reservation
  • At least 25% of entry-level seats in private recognised schools are reserved for EWS, Disadvantaged Group, and Children with Special Needs categories under RTE norms.​
• Centralised process
  • Schools cannot process these admissions manually; the DoE runs a centralised, computerised draw of lots for these categories.​
• Separate notification
  • Dates and detailed guidelines for EWS/DG/CWSN admissions are released separately on the DoE portal, and parents must apply online through the official module.​

Practical tips for parents

• Before applying
  • Confirm age eligibility using the 31 March 2026 cut-off and consider age relaxation only if very close to the limit.
  • Shortlist schools by distance, fee range, board and infrastructure; note their unique criteria and points.​
• While filling forms
  • Use the exact name and date of birth as on the birth certificate.
  • Keep a scanned folder of all documents; verify that the address matches across key proofs.
• After submission
  • Save acknowledgment receipts or application IDs for each school.
  • Track school websites and notice boards for applicant lists, point lists, and first/second selection lists.​
• During draw and query window
  • Attend draw-of-lots sessions where schools allow parent presence.
  • Use the query redressal window to raise genuine issues about points or data entry, with proof.​

FAQs

Q1. When do DOE Delhi Nursery Admission 2026-27 forms open and close?
Forms for Nursery, KG and Class 1 in private unaided schools open on 4 December 2025 and the last date to submit applications is 27 December 2025 for open-category seats.​

Q2. What is the age criteria for Nursery admission in Delhi 2026-27?
For Nursery (Balvatika 1), the child must be at least 3 years and less than 4 years as on 31 March 2026; limited one‑month relaxation may be granted by the school head in special cases.​

Q3. Can parents apply to multiple Delhi schools for Nursery 2026-27?
Yes, parents can apply to as many private schools as they choose, provided the child meets the age criteria and documents are correct for each school’s admission form and points system.​

Q4. How are seats allotted if applications exceed seats?
Schools allocate open seats based on their notified points criteria (distance, sibling, alumni etc.). If applications with similar scores exceed seats, they must hold a transparent draw of lots in the presence of parents and publish the results.​

Q5. How are EWS/DG/CWSN Nursery admissions handled in Delhi?
For EWS, Disadvantaged Group and Children with Special Needs categories, 25% seats are reserved and admissions are done centrally by the DoE through an online module and computerised draw; schools cannot process these manually.​

Conclusion

DOE Delhi Nursery Admission 2026-27 brings a defined calendar, clear age rules and stronger transparency norms, but parents still need to plan ahead on eligibility, documents and school choices. Use the official DoE/Edudel notifications and school websites as your primary reference, and keep application IDs and proof handy through every list and query window.