Delhi schools prioritise proximity in nursery admission criteria

For thousands of parents preparing for nursery admissions in Delhi, one factor is set to dominate the process this year - how close they live to the school. As private schools across the city began uploading their criteria for the 2026-27 academic session on Friday, distance has emerged as the most influential parameter, with several schools assigning more than half of the total points to proximity alone.

Delhi private schools use a 100-point system for “open seats” - 75% of seats not reserved for EWS, DG (Disadvantaged Group) or CWSN (Children with Special Needs) categories - to rank applicants, with points awarded for criteria like proximity to the school, siblings in the school and alumni status.

Indraprastha International School in Dwarka has given the highest weightage so far, allotting 55 out of 100 points to applicants living within 0-12 km of the school. Those staying 12-15 km away receive 45 points, while applicants beyond 15 km get 35 points. The school has also reserved 15 points each for siblings, alumni and staff wards.

Tagore International School in East of Kailash has similarly placed emphasis on proximity, offering 50 points to children living within a four-km radius or in areas served by its transport network. Under its “status of the child” category, the school has allotted 30 points for first-born children and 20 for second born, along with 10 points each for siblings, alumni and staff wards.

Sudha Acharya, Principal of ITL International School, Dwarka, said their parameters this year would continue to prioritise distance, sibling preference, alumni connection and staff wards. “Proximity remains the most practical factor for us,” she said. “Giving weightage to siblings and alumni helps strengthen long-term family associations with the school,” Sudha said.

The Directorate of Education (DoE) has released the full schedule for admissions. Application forms will be available from December 4, and the first list of selected candidates will be published on January 23.

Under the revised structure, the foundational stage includes Nursery and KG, followed by Class 1. For the upcoming session, a child must be between three and four years of age for Nursery, four and five for KG and five and six for Class 1 as on March 31, 2026. Schools may allow up to one month of relaxation in age at the discretion of the head of school.

All recognised unaided private schools are required to upload their admission criteria and point systems for open seats, excluding the Economically Weaker Section, Disadvantaged Group and Children with Special Needs categories, by November 28.

The last date for submitting application forms is December 27. Schools must upload applicant details by January 9 and publish point allocations on January 16, followed by a second list on February 9. Parents may seek clarification on point allotments between January 24 and February 3, and the admission process must be completed by March 19.

A district-level monitoring cell will oversee compliance. The DoE has reiterated that schools cannot adopt any criteria previously struck down by the department and upheld by the Delhi High Court, and must comply with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act.

Schools have also been instructed to prominently display point distribution on their websites and upload the names and scores of selected students under open seats.

The DoE has reminded schools that they may charge only a non-refundable registration fee of Rs 25 and cannot levy capitation fee or force parents to purchase prospectuses.