At a glance
| Session | 2027-28 |
|---|---|
| Age for Nursery | 3+ years on 31 March 2027 |
| Forms open | Expected early December 2026 (DoE announces in November) |
| How to apply | A separate form for each private school; EWS/DG seats through one government portal |
| How children are chosen | Points (usually out of 100), then a draw of lots for ties |
Age limit for nursery admission in Delhi (2027-28)
The Directorate of Education (DoE) sets the age by 31 March 2027 of the admission year:
| Class | Age on 31 March 2027 |
|---|---|
| Nursery (Pre-School) | 3+ years |
| KG (Pre-Primary) | 4+ years |
| Class 1 | 6+ years |
School heads may relax the age by up to 30 days if parents ask in writing when they apply. In Noida and Gurgaon, many CBSE schools follow the same 3+ rule, but some international schools use other dates (such as 1 July) or start Nursery at 4+ — always check the school's own rules.
Check your child's eligibility
Delhi nursery admission 2027-28 dates
The DoE hasn't announced the 2027-28 schedule yet — it usually does in November. The dates below follow the usual pattern; we'll replace them with the official dates as soon as they're out.
| Step | When |
|---|---|
| Schools publish their admission criteria and points | Expected late November 2026 |
| Online application forms open | Expected early December 2026 |
| Last date to submit forms | Expected late December 2026 |
| Points of each applicant published | Expected mid-January 2027 |
| First list of selected children and waiting list | Expected late January 2027 |
| Second list (if seats remain) | Expected February 2027 |
| Admission process closes | Expected March 2027 |
Schools with 2027-28 Nursery dates on JEC
Schools haven't published 2027-28 Nursery dates yet. They'll appear here — and in our admission calendar — as soon as they do.
Step-by-step: how Delhi nursery admission works
- Shortlist schools — by distance, budget, board and the kind of school that suits your child. Explore and compare schools.
- Read each school's criteria once published — especially its distance slabs or listed localities, since distance carries the most points.
- Work out your points for each school and focus on the ones where you score well.
- Fill each school's form on its own website before its last date. An enquiry form is not an application — make sure you complete the registration form.
- Watch for the points list, where each school publishes every applicant's points.
- Check the first list and waiting list. If several children tie at the cut-off, the school holds a draw of lots.
- Document verification — bring originals and self-attested copies. Any mismatch with the form can cost the seat.
- Pay the fees to confirm the seat. Be wary of schools demanding non-refundable fees within 24–48 hours, before other lists are out.
How the points system works
Private unaided schools in Delhi choose children by published points — there are no tests or interviews for toddlers. Most use a 100-point scale, but each school sets its own criteria, so the same child can score very differently at two schools.
| Criterion | Typical points | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Distance / neighbourhood | 30 – 80 | The heaviest criterion. Schools use km slabs (e.g. 0–3 km, 3–6 km) or listed localities. |
| Sibling in the same school | 15 – 40 | Real brother or sister only — cousins never count. |
| Alumni parent | Varies | Proof of the parent's time at the school is needed. |
| First-born child | 10 – 20 | Often claimed through a self-attested declaration on stamp paper. |
| Girl child | 5 – 25 | Offered by some schools only. |
| Single parent | About 5 | Offered by some schools only. |
How seats are divided
| Category | Share of seats |
|---|---|
| Open / General | 50% – 70% |
| EWS / DG (Economically Weaker Sections / Disadvantaged Groups) | 25% |
| Management quota | Up to 20% |
| Staff wards | Up to 5% |
Documents checklist
Address proof (for distance points) — any one
- Ration card / smart card in the parents' name, with the child's name
- Domicile certificate of the child or a parent
- Voter ID (EPIC) of either parent
- Electricity, MTNL telephone or water bill, or passport, in either parent's name
- Aadhaar card of either parent
Other documents
- Child's birth certificate
- Recent passport-size photographs of the child (and often the parents)
- Proof for any points you claim — sibling's school ID, alumni certificate, first-born / girl-child declaration on stamp paper
- Originals of every document, plus self-attested photocopies, for verification after selection
EWS / DG admission
25% of entry-level seats in every recognised private school are reserved for Economically Weaker Sections and Disadvantaged Groups. These seats are not applied for at each school — the Delhi government runs one online form and a computerised draw on its official portal: ewsadmissions.delhi.gov.in.
Common questions
What is the age limit for nursery admission in Delhi for 2027-28?
Your child must be at least 3 years old on 31 March 2027 for Nursery, 4 years for KG and 6 years for Class 1. School heads may relax the age by up to 30 days on a written request from the parents at the time of applying.
When will Delhi nursery admission 2027-28 start?
The Directorate of Education (DoE) usually announces the schedule in November, with forms opening in early December and the first list in late January. This page is updated as soon as the official dates are out.
How does the Delhi nursery admission points system work?
Each private school publishes its own criteria, usually out of 100 points — distance from home carries the most weight, followed by sibling, alumni, first-born and similar criteria. Children are ranked by points, and ties are settled by a draw of lots.
Is there one common form for all Delhi schools?
No. For general-category seats you apply separately to each private school, on that school's own form. Only EWS/DG seats use one common online form on the Delhi government portal.
Does declining a seat affect my child's chances next year?
No. Each admission session is independent — turning down an offer this year doesn't count against your child in future applications.
Is the age rule the same in Noida and Gurgaon?
Many CBSE schools there also use 3+ on 31 March, but several international schools use different dates or ages (for example a 1 July cut-off, or Nursery at 4+). Always check the individual school's rules.
Want help with forms and school choice?
JEC's team can shortlist schools for your child and fill the admission forms for you.