Delhi private schools invite applications under 25% RTE quota for 2026-27

The Directorate of Education under the Delhi government has opened online registrations for admission to private unaided recognized schools under the Economically Weaker Section, Disadvantaged Group, and Children with Special Needs categories for the 2026-27 academic year.

Admissions are available for Nursery, Kindergarten, and Class 1. Parents can submit applications through the official portal until March 16, 2026.

Under the Economically Weaker Section category, applicants must belong to families with a total annual income below ₹5 lakh from all sources and must be residents of Delhi.

The Disadvantaged Group category covers children from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes in the non-creamy layer. It also includes orphans, transgender children, and children living with HIV.

As per the Right to Education Act, 22% of seats in private unaided recognized schools will be filled through a computerized lottery system under the EWS and DG categories.

In addition, 3% of seats within the overall 25% reservation quota will be earmarked for children with special needs.

For admission to Nursery under these categories, the child must be between 3 and 5 years old as of March 31, 2026, with a date of birth between April 1, 2021, and March 31, 2023.

For Kindergarten, the child should be between 4 and 6 years of age as of March 31, 2026, and born between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2022.

For Class 1, the eligible age range is 5 to 7 years as of March 31, 2026. Children applying for Class 1 must be born between April 1, 2019, and March 31, 2021.

Authorities have instructed parents to submit only one application per child using a single mobile number. All communication related to the admission process will be sent to the registered number.

Officials have warned that submission of multiple applications for the same child will lead to cancellation of candidature, even if the child is selected in the lottery.