Quick answer: Delhi nursery admission 2027-28 for private schools is expected to begin in late November / early December 2026, with the first list around January 2027. From 2027-28, Delhi follows a new NEP-based structure – Nursery (Balvatika 1) at 3+ years, Lower KG (Balvatika 2) at 4+ years and Upper KG (Balvatika 3) at 5+ years, with age counted as on 31 March 2027. Admissions are conducted by the Directorate of Education (DoE), Delhi, through edudel.nic.in and the websites of individual schools.
Delhi Nursery Admission 2027-28 is the admission process for entry-level classes – Nursery, KG and Class 1 – in over 1,700 private unaided recognised schools of Delhi, along with the 25% EWS/DG seats and the government Sarvodaya Vidyalayas. This page explains the expected 2027-28 schedule, the new age criteria, the points system, documents, fees and how to apply, along with the official dates of the last (2026-27) cycle so that parents know exactly what to expect.
Delhi Nursery Admission 2027-28 – Key Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducted by | Directorate of Education (DoE), GNCT of Delhi |
| Session | 2027-28 |
| Entry classes | Nursery (Balvatika 1), Lower KG (Balvatika 2), Upper KG (Balvatika 3)* |
| Schools | 1,700+ private unaided recognised schools (1,741 in 2026-27), govt Sarvodaya Vidyalayas |
| Reserved seats | 25% for EWS / DG / CWSN children in private schools |
| Registration fee | ₹25 (non-refundable) in private schools |
| Selection | Points system (general seats), computerised lottery (EWS/DG), draw of lots (govt schools) |
| Official website | edudel.nic.in |
*As per DoE Circular No. 976 dated 24 October 2025. Entry classes for 2027-28 will be confirmed in the official admission notice.
Delhi Nursery Admission 2027-28 Dates (Expected)
The DoE releases the admission schedule for private schools every November. Based on the previous cycles, the 2027-28 schedule is expected to be as follows:
| Event | Expected Date (2027-28) |
|---|---|
| Schools upload admission criteria & points | Late November 2026 |
| Application forms available | Late November / first week of December 2026 |
| Last date to apply | Late December 2026 |
| First list of selected children | Mid to late January 2027 |
| Second list | February 2027 |
| Admission process closes | March 2027 |
Delhi Nursery Admission 2026-27 – Official Dates (Last Cycle)
| Event | Date (2026-27) |
|---|---|
| Schools uploaded criteria & points | 28 November 2025 |
| Application forms available | 4 December 2025 |
| Last date to apply | 27 December 2025 |
| List of applicants uploaded | 9 January 2026 |
| Marks under points system uploaded | 16 January 2026 |
| First list & waiting list | 23 January 2026 |
| Queries on point allocation | 24 January – 3 February 2026 |
| Second list | 9 February 2026 |
| Admission process closed | 19 March 2026 |
In 2026-27, around 1,741 private unaided schools released their first lists, covering about 1.25 lakh children including waiting lists.
New Age Criteria for Delhi Nursery Admission 2027-28
The DoE has restructured the foundational stage as per the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Vide Circular No. DE.23(749)/Sch.Br./2025/976 dated 24 October 2025, the new structure applies to all government, government-aided and recognised unaided private schools under the DoE, in phases from 2026-27.
| Class | Minimum & Maximum Age | Admission in 2027-28 (age as on 31 March 2027) |
|---|---|---|
| Nursery (Balvatika 1 / Pre-School 1) | 3+ to 4 years | New admissions at 3+ years |
| Lower KG (Balvatika 2 / Pre-School 2) | 4+ to 5 years | New class from 2027-28; Nursery 2026-27 students are promoted, and new admissions at 4+ years |
| Upper KG (Balvatika 3 / Pre-School 3) | 5+ to 6 years | New class from 2027-28; new admissions only, at 5+ years |
| Class 1 | 6+ to 7 years | In 2027-28, KG students of 2026-27 are promoted to Class 1 (5+ years) under the old structure; the 6+ rule for new Class 1 admissions applies from 2028-29 |
Heads of schools can give an age relaxation of up to one month in both the minimum and maximum age. Children who have passed the previous class from a recognised school with a valid School Leaving Certificate are exempt from the age rule for the next class.
Age Criteria in 2026-27 (Last Cycle)
In 2026-27, the minimum age was 3+ years for Nursery, 4+ years for KG and 5+ years for Class 1 as on 31 March 2026. Lower KG and Upper KG did not exist in 2026-27.
Delhi Nursery Admission Points System
For general (open) seats in private schools, each school publishes its own admission criteria and points on its website and on the DoE portal before the forms open. Children are shortlisted on the basis of total points, and a draw of lots is held if two or more children have the same points.
- Neighbourhood / distance: The most important criterion – children living closer to the school get more points.
- Sibling: Points if an elder brother or sister already studies in the school.
- Alumni: Points if a parent studied in the school.
- Other criteria such as girl child, first child or transfer cases, as declared by the school.
- Schools cannot charge capitation fees or force parents to buy a prospectus, and any draw of lots must be held in front of parents and video-recorded.
Always check the points published by your chosen schools on the DoE portal before applying, and apply to several schools to improve your chances.
How to Apply for Delhi Nursery Admission 2027-28
- Shortlist schools near your home and check their admission criteria and points on the DoE website and the school websites.
- Collect the application forms from the schools or download them from the school websites when the schedule opens (forms are also available online for most schools).
- Fill in the form carefully and attach self-attested copies of the documents.
- Pay the registration fee of ₹25 per school and submit the form before the last date.
- Check the points allotted to your child and the first and second lists on the school website / notice board.
- If selected, complete the admission by submitting the original documents and fee within the given time.
Documents Required for Delhi Nursery Admission
- Birth certificate of the child (issued by MCD or other local body / hospital record)
- Address proof – ration card, voter ID, electricity / water / telephone bill, passport, Aadhaar card or bank passbook of parents
- Passport-size photographs of the child and parents
- Sibling / alumni proof, if claiming points
- For EWS/DG/CWSN: income certificate, caste certificate or disability certificate, as applicable
Delhi EWS / DG Admission (25% Seats)
Under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, private unaided schools in Delhi reserve 25% seats at the entry level for children from Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), Disadvantaged Groups (DG) and Children with Special Needs (CWSN). Admission to these seats is through a separate online application and computerised draw of lots conducted by the DoE. In 2026-27, applications were accepted from 21 February to 23 March 2026 and the final draw was held in September 2026. Read the full details on our Delhi EWS admission and result page.
Admission in Delhi Government Schools (Sarvodaya Vidyalayas)
Government Sarvodaya Vidyalayas also admit children in Nursery (Balvatika 1), KG and Class 1. Forms are issued at the schools, and selection is through a draw of lots with priority to children living within 1 km and 3 km of the school. In 2026-27, forms were issued from 2 to 16 March 2026 and the draw of lots was held on 20 March 2026. See Sarvodaya Vidyalaya Admission.
Delhi Nursery Admission 2027-28 – FAQs
When will Delhi nursery admission 2027-28 start?
The official schedule is expected in late November 2026. Based on the previous cycle (forms from 4 December 2025), application forms for 2027-28 are likely to be available from late November or early December 2026.
What is the age limit for nursery admission in Delhi 2027-28?
As per the DoE circular dated 24 October 2025, a child must be 3+ years (and up to 4 years) as on 31 March 2027 for Nursery (Balvatika 1). Lower KG (Balvatika 2) is for 4+ years and Upper KG (Balvatika 3) for 5+ years. Heads of schools can give one month of age relaxation.
Is the Class 1 age 6 years in Delhi?
Yes, Delhi has adopted a uniform age of 6+ years for Class 1, but it is being implemented in phases. In 2027-28, children of KG are promoted to Class 1 under the old structure, and the 6+ rule for new Class 1 admissions applies from 2028-29.
What is the registration fee for nursery admission in Delhi?
Private schools can charge only a non-refundable registration fee of Rs 25 per application. Schools cannot charge capitation fees or force parents to buy a prospectus.
How are children selected for nursery admission in Delhi private schools?
For general seats, children are selected on the basis of points under criteria published by each school, such as neighbourhood, sibling and alumni. If points are tied, a draw of lots is held in the presence of parents. EWS/DG seats are filled through a separate computerised lottery by the DoE.
Where can I check the Delhi nursery admission list?
The first and second lists are published on the websites and notice boards of the respective schools and on the DoE portal, edudel.nic.in.
Official Links
- Directorate of Education, Delhi – edudel.nic.in
- EWS / DG Admissions Portal – ewsadmissions.delhi.gov.in
- Government School Admission (DoE)
Last updated: 14 October 2026. Information is based on official circulars of the Directorate of Education (DoE), GNCT of Delhi. Dates marked “expected” are based on previous admission cycles and will be updated as soon as the official notice is released.
