Criteria for Delhi School Admissions 2026-27: Age, Points & Domicile Explained

With Delhi school admissions all set to begin on 4th December 2025 in private unaided schools for general seats (excluding EWS/ DG/ CWSN categories) in entry-level classes, it is important to stay updated regarding the criteria for Delhi School Admissions. As more than 1800+ schools will start accepting applications in the next few days, parents often have questions like:

• How to check age criteria for Delhi school admission?
• How exactly are points calculated?
• Is there a Delhi domicile criteria for students?

And so on.

This guide aims to get a deep dive into these confusions, aiming to make parents familiar with the criteria for Delhi admissions 2026-27.

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When will Delhi School Admissions Forms 2026-27 be Out?

The Delhi admission forms for entry-level classes are to be released by 4th December. Here are the complete admission dates for Delhi school admissions as announced by the DoE:

Delhi Domicile Criteria for Students

Delhi domicile criteria for school admissions require that the student (or at least one parent, in case of minors) demonstrate proof of continuous residence in Delhi, usually for a minimum period of 3 years prior to the application date. Here are the key details:
 

Eligibility for Delhi Domicile Criteria

• The child/applicant must be a citizen of India.
• The student, or their parents if the student is a minor, needs to have lived continuously in Delhi for the last three years.
• A student residing temporarily outside Delhi (due to transfer, illness, etc.) may still qualify if parents can produce documentary proof of Delhi residence.

Please Note: While a three-year residence condition applies to domicile certificate eligibility in general admissions, it no longer applies to EWS/DG category admissions.
 

Accepted Documents as Domicile Proof

The DoE has mandated that a parent needs to produce at least 2 of the following as residence proof:

• Ration card (parent’s name with child listed)
• Voter ID (EPIC) of any of the parents
• Passport (parent or child)
• Aadhaar Card (parent or child)
• Electricity/water/telephone bill (parent’s name)
   

How to Apply for Delhi School Admissions?

Here’s how you apply for Delhi school admissions at one place, without having to fill multiple forms for each school:

• Visit www.ezyschooling.com and create your child's profile on the site.
• Add all your desired school forms to your cart.
• Complete the Form Purchase using your preferred mode of payment.
• Fill out the common application form and enter all the required details.
• Preview the form and make your final submission.

Also Read | How to Apply for Delhi School Admissions 2026-27  

By following these steps, you avoid the hassle of multiple registrations and applications. Ezyschooling ensures every detail is tracked and no deadlines are missed, giving your child the best chance to begin their academic journey smoothly.

Please Note: Parents can access application forms for a nominal fee of Rs. 25.

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Delhi School Admission Criteria for Entry-Level Classes

The Directorate of Education outlines strict guidelines and criteria for admission to entry-level classes in Delhi. Regulated strictly by the DoE, the Delhi school admission criteria for entry-level classes are discussed below.
 

Updated Age Criteria for Delhi School Admission 2026-27

The new age criteria, announced recently by the DoE, state that a child must be a minimum of 3 years old by March 31st of the year in which admission is sought. While the age criteria makes considerable changes to the foundational framework (breaking KG to LKG and UKG and implementing a 6+ years age criteria for admission to Class 1), the DoE has made it clear that the transition will happen gradually, with the new structure starting in 2026-27 and that existing students will not be affected.

Here is a closer look at the age criteria announced by DoE for the academic year 2026-27:

Class	Age Criteria	Born Between
Nursery	3+ years as of 31 March 2026	1 Apr 2022 – 31 Mar 2023
KG	4+ years as of 31 March 2026	1 Apr 2021 – 31 Mar 2022
Class I	5+ years as of 31 March 2026	1 Apr 2020 – 31 Mar 2021

Note: While the age criteria for nursery admissions in Delhi are strictly enforced, some schools allow a 30-day relaxation on upper and lower age limits. In case of concerns, it is always a good idea to reach out to the school directly.

For admission to higher classes, the guideline is straightforward: each class typically requires the child to be one year older than the previous. For example, since the minimum age for admission to Class 1 is 6 years, the age requirement for admission to Class 2 is 7 years, that for Class 3 is 8 years and so on.

Also Read | Age Criteria for Nursery Admission in Delhi 2026-27 (Updated) 
 

Points Criteria for Delhi School Admissions

The DoE has mandated a points system for admission to the entry-level classes in Delhi schools. According to the point system, candidates applying for admission are allotted points by the schools on a certain set of criteria. The higher the points, the more the chances of admission.

 The commonly followed point criteria include:

• Neighbourhood or Distance from School: Points are allotted based on how far the student lives from the school locality. For example:
  • 0-1 km: Highest points (typically 60-70)
  • 1-3 km: Moderate points 
  • 3-8 km and Beyond: Points decrease as the distance increases

Did You Know? The distance criteria contributes almost 70-90% to securing the admission.

• Sibling Factor: Schools allocate 20-30 points to applicants with siblings already enrolled.
• Alumni Status: 5-10 points may be assigned if one or both parents are alumni of the school.

And many more!

It is important to note here that the amount of points to be allotted to different criteria can be different in different schools. For example, the sibling factor might carry 30 points in one school, while in a different school it might carry 5 or 10 points.

Check Out | Delhi School Admission Point System 2026-27
 

What happens if multiple applicants have the same point score?

When multiple applicants have the same point score, schools usually conduct a draw of lots (lottery system) to decide admissions. For example, if 100 applicants receive the same points but the number of seats in that particular school is just 30, then a lottery is conducted to draw out the 30 candidates that will be selected on the first list.

This process ensures fairness by randomly selecting among applicants with identical scores, allowing each child an equal chance of admission when they meet the cutoff or point criteria equally. The draw of lots is conducted under the strict regulation of the DoE and is also recorded and telecast through a livestream to maintain transparency.

 

Documents Required for Admission to Entry-Level Classes in Delhi

Here is a list of the important required documents that you might need:

• Passport-size pictures of the child and parents, at least 2 of each
• A print-out of the filled application form, just in case
• A family photo consisting of the parents and the child
• Proof of residence, any two of the following should be kept ready:
  • Ration/Smart Card issued in the name of parents (Mother/Father, having the name of the child)
  • Domicile certificate of the child or his/her parents
  • Voter I-Card (EPIC) of any of the parents
  • The latest paid Electricity bill/MTNL telephone bill/Water bill/Passport in the name of any of the parents or child
  • Aadhaar Card/UID card issued in the name of either of the parents
• Birth Certificate, for proof of age
• Tuition fee receipt of the applicant’s sibling, in case you are applying via the sibling quota
• Proof regarding parents being alumni of the school, for those applying via the alumni criteria

​​​​​​​

Check Out | Documents Required for Delhi Nursery Admissions 2026-27 

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Criteria for Delhi School Admission: Classes 6 to 9

The Delhi School admission criteria for higher classes is significantly different from the entry-level classes (Nursery/KG/Class 1). While the DoE monitors the overall process, the selection for the general category shifts entirely from a subjective "points system" to an objective "merit and vacancy" model.

For private schools, The DoE grants the schools autonomy to assess the student’s readiness for their curriculum for non-entry-level classes. 
 

Non-Plan Admission Process for Government Schools

The Non-Plan Admission Process is the mechanism used by the Directorate of Education (DoE) for admission to Delhi Government schools (including regular government schools and some specialized schools) in mid-level and senior classes (Class 6 to 12).

This process is strictly for students who were not previously enrolled in a Delhi Government or Government-Aided school for the immediate past academic session. Generally conducted in 3 cycles throughout the academic session, the admission process focuses on ensuring continuous education, especially for children who are new to Delhi or are out of school.

Let us look at the criteria for Delhi school admissions to Classes 6 to 9 in detail.
 

Age Criteria for Delhi School Admission: Classes 6 to 9

The age criteria for classes 6 to 9, as announced by the DoE, mandates the minimum age of 10 and maximum age of 12 for admission to Class 6, that of 11 to 13 for Class 7, that of 12 to 14 for Class 8, and 13 to 15 for admission to Class 9.

Here is a quick look at the age criteria for classes 6 to 9 in Delhi schools:

Also Read | Age Criteria for School Admission in Delhi 2026-27 (Updated) 
 

Age Relaxation for Classes 6 to 9 in Delhi

The age relaxation rules for classes 6 to 9 can be divided into 3 types:

• Standard Relaxation: Age relaxation of up to 6 months in the minimum and maximum age can be granted, but that is at the discretion of the Head of the school. 
• Students with Disabilities (Divyang): Age relaxation of up to 6 minimum in the minimum age and up to 4 years in the maximum age can be granted on seeking permission from the School Head.
• Special Circumstances: Further relaxation may be granted to deserving students, in case their schooling was affected due to the death of either of the parents, prolonged illness of either of the parents/child or any trauma faced by the student.
   

Educational Eligibility Criteria for Delhi School Admissions 2026-27

A student must have passed the previous class from a recognized school (CBSE / ICSE / State Board/equivalent) while seeking admission to a particular class. For example, a student must have passed Class 6 if seeking admission to Class 7 in Delhi schools.

Some other admission eligibility criteria for Delhi school admissions are:

• Out-of-school children seeking admission to Class 6 or above undergo an assessment of basic literacy and numeracy skills to determine suitable placement.
• Students applying to Classes 7 and 8, who have not studied in a recognized school, can be admitted based on a simple undertaking by their parents.
• For Class 9 admission, applicants must have passed Class 8 from a recognized school.
   

Residence Criteria for Delhi School Admissions

The residence criteria for Delhi school admissions for Class 6 to 9 are crucial as students are allotted schools that are nearest to their home. That means, admission for classes 6 to 9 in Delhi schools is based on seat availability and available infrastructure at the nearest school by the Cluster Level Admission Committee.
 

What Happens If There are No Seats in Nearby Schools?

Thus, the residence-based allotment principle is strictly followed in hierarchical order: cluster → zone → district, with consultation between Deputy Director Education offices (DDE), ensuring students get admitted to the nearest possible school based on seat availability and infrastructure. Let us take a look at this in detail:

• Outside Cluster: In case there are no seats available in any of the schools of the cluster, or the applicant is residing outside the boundaries of the cluster, then they will be allotted a school by the DDE (Zone) in a nearby cluster of schools. 
• Outside Zone: If an applicant resides outside the boundaries of the zone but within the same district, then the DDE (Zone) will allot them a school after consultation with the DDE (District).
• Outside District: If an applicant resides outside the boundaries of the district, he/she will be allotted a school by the concerned DDE (Zone/District) of the zone/district that they are residing in.
   

Documents Required for Delhi School Admissions

The following documents are to be submitted at the time of admission to Classes 6 to 9 in Delhi schools:

• One passport-sized photograph of the child.
• For class 6 to 8: At least 1 of the following:
  • Countersigned school-leaving certificate from a recognized school
  • Original Date of Birth Certificate issued by MCD or any other Local Body 
  • Undertaking by the Parents regarding Date of Birth.
• For class 9: Countersigned school-leaving certificate from a recognized school.
• Mark sheet of previous class passed (if applicable).
• Any of the following documents as residence proof of Delhi:-
  • BPL Card/Ration Card issued in the name of parents, having the name of the child.
  • Domicile certificate of the child or parents.
  • Voter Identity card of any of the parents.
  • Electricity bill/MTNL telephone bill/water bill in the name of any of the parents.
  • Bank Passbook in the name of the child or any of the parents.
  • Aadhaar Card of the child/any of the parents.
  • Passport in the name of the child or any of the parents.
  • Driving license of any of the parents.
• Certificate of Caste (in case of SC/ST/ OBC) (if applicable).
• Certificate of disability (in case of a Divyang student).

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Criteria for Delhi School Admission to Class 11

The admission criteria for Class 11 in Delhi government schools are distinct from entry-level classes, as they are based on a student's academic performance in Class 10 and follow the Non-Plan Admission Scheme (for students from non-DoE schools).

Here is a detailed breakdown of the criteria for Delhi school admission to Class 11, as specified by the Directorate of Education (DoE):
 

Eligibility Criteria for Stream Selection

Students that have passed Class 10 will be considered eligible for Class 11, depending on the following criteria for stream selection:

Note: Relaxation of 5% marks in any 1 of the 3 subjects mentioned above for students belonging to the categories SC/ST/ Minorities/OBC(Non-Creamy Layer)/Kashmiri Migrants & those students having 1st, 2nd or 3rd position in National Games. 

Specially abled students get a relaxation of 5% marks for all subjects mentioned above.
 

Stream Selection Criteria for NIOS Students

Students who have passed Class 10 from NIOS with an aggregate of 55% and above in the 5 main subjects are eligible for admission in Humanities without Skill Subjects. Similarly, students who have secured a minimum of 50% and above in the 5 main subjects from NIOS are eligible for admission in Humanities with Skill Subjects.

Please Note: Students who have passed Class 10 from boards where “pass marks” are below 33 % may not be able to apply online for Delhi school admissions. Such students must apply manually at a nearby Delhi government school before the given deadline, after which the Head of School will forward their documents to the DDE (Zone) for approval and school allotment.
 

Age Criteria for Delhi School Admission to Class 11

The age criteria for admission to Class 11 in Delhi schools mention the minimum age as 15 years and the maximum age as 17 years. Here is a tabular representation of the age criteria for Delhi school admission to Class 11:

Please Note: The following students are exempt from the applicability of this age criteria:

• Passed Class 10 during 2025-26 
• Studied in Recognised Unaided Schools under the DoE or Delhi local bodies
• Having a valid school leaving certificate (SLC) and mark sheet
   

Age Relaxation Criteria for Delhi School Admission to Class 11

All students can get an age relaxation of 6 months in the minimum and maximum age for admission to Class 11 on seeking approval from the Head of School. Other age relaxation rules for admission to Class 11 include:

• Standard Relaxation (General Students): Students who passed Class X from any recognised board without a gap year can get up to 1 year upper-age relaxation by seeking approval from the Head of School.
• Divyang (CWSN) Students: Children with special needs are entitled to 6 months’ relaxation in the lower-age limit and up to 4 years in the upper-age limit. This relaxation is also granted at the HoS level.
• Special Hardship Cases: The Director of Education may grant additional upper-age relaxation in exceptional circumstances, such as:
  • Death of a parent
  • Prolonged illness of a parent or the child
  • Any major trauma that disrupted studies

In such situations, parents must submit a written application with supporting documents to the Head of School, who will forward it to the Deputy Director of Education (Zone). If the DDE finds the case justified, it is then forwarded to the Director of Education for final approval.
 

Documents Required for Admission to Class 11

The following documents must be kept handy at the time of admission:

• Proof of Date of Birth:
  • Passed 10th from Recognised School: Countersigned SLC of a last attended recognized school as per Rule No. 139 of DSEAR, 1973
  • Passed 10th as Private Candidate: Certificate of passing Class X / Migration certificate issued by the concerned board
• Mark Sheet of the previous class passed.
• 1 passport-sized photograph of the child.
• Any 1 of the following documents as Residence Proof of Delhi:-
  • Ration Card, issued in the name of parents & having the name of the child.
  • Domicile certificate of the child or any of the parents.
  • Voter I card of any of the parents or the child.
  • Electricity bill/MTNL telephone bill/Water bill.
  • Bank Passbook in the name of the child or any of the parents.
  • Aadhaar number of the child or any of the parents.
  • Passport in the name of the child or any of the parents.
• Certificate of Caste (in case of SC/ST/ OBC).
• Certificate of disability (in case of a Divyang Student).

Check Out | Ultimate Guide for Delhi School Admissions 2026-27 

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Apply to Schools in Delhi 2026-27
 

FAQs

Q1. What are the important dates for Delhi school admissions in 2026-27?

A: Delhi Nursery admissions will be open from December 04, 2025. Registrations will likely close by December 27, 2025, and the first list of selected candidates will be out by 23-01-2026.

Q2. What is the age criteria for nursery, KG, and Class 1 admissions in Delhi?

A: For the 2026-27 session, the minimum age requirement for admission to class Nursery is 3 years. Similarly, the minimum age requirement for KG is 4 years and that for Class 1 is 5  years. Check out this blog for more information on age criteria for Delhi school admissions. 

Q3. What is the point system, and how does it affect my child’s chances of admission?

A: In Delhi nursery admissions, points are assigned to applicants based on criteria such as proximity to the school, sibling status, and parent alumni status. Each school weights these criteria differently, influencing the admission chances. A higher score enhances your child's likelihood of admission.

Q4. What documents are required for Delhi school admissions, and when should I submit them?

A: For Delhi school admissions, you'll need to submit documents like: 

• passport-size photos of the child and parents
• a family photo
• proof of residence (like a voter ID or utility bill)
• the child's birth certificate, etc. 

These documents are typically submitted along with the application form during the admission period, which starts in early December and ends in early January.

Q5. Is there any difference in applying via Ezyschooling rather than school websites?

A: You won’t be doing anything different whether you apply via Ezyschooling or individual school sites. Your method of applying does not have any impact on the selection process as the criterion of selection and awarding points is done in the same manner for everyone.

Q6. Where can I find the official admission criteria for specific schools?

A: You can find the official admission criteria for specific schools on their respective websites or by visiting the school directly. You can also stay connected on our WhatsApp community to receive all admission-related updates and notifications.
 

Conclusion

The process of securing admission in Delhi schools, particularly for entry-level classes in private unaided institutions, is an intricate journey governed by strict Delhi Criteria laid down by the Directorate of Education (DoE). As you prepare for the upcoming admission season, remember to:

• Keep all required documents ready well in advance
• Verify your child's age eligibility according to the updated DoE norms
• Monitor the official DoE website and Ezyschooling portal for real-time updates
• Apply within the stipulated timelines to avoid last-minute complications

With this comprehensive guide at your fingertips, you're now equipped to navigate the Delhi school admission process smoothly. Stay organized, follow the guidelines, and give your child the best possible start to their academic journey.

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Looking for more information on Delhi Admissions? Check out:

Delhi Nursery Admission Registration Form 2026-27: Apply Online 
Delhi School Admission Registration Form 2026-27: Apply Online 
Delhi KG/Pre Primary School Admission Form 2026-27 
Apply Now for KG Admissions in Delhi 2026-27: Full Guide
Delhi Class 1 Admission Form Filling Guidelines 2026-27 
How to Apply for Admission in Class 1 in Delhi 2026-27: Full Parent Guide
Age Criteria for Pre-Nursery Admission in Delhi 2026-27 
Procedure for Nursery Admissions in Delhi 2026-27 (Updated) 
Delhi School Admission Process 2026-27: Entry-Level & Non-Plan Admissions in Delhi
Criteria for Nursery Admissions in Delhi 2026-27 (Updated)
Criteria for Delhi School Admissions 2026-27: Age, Points & Domicile Explained 
Delhi Nursery School Admission Guidelines 2026-27 Explained
How to Apply for Nursery Admission in Delhi 2026-27: Full Guide 
Full Guide On Delhi Nursery Admissions 2026-27: Apply Online 
EWS/DG Admissions 2026-27: All You Need to Know