Delhi EWS Nursery Admission 2026: How to Apply for Free Seats in Private Schools

Private schools in Delhi have started accepting applications for nursery, LKG, UKG, and Class 1 admissions under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), Disadvantaged Group (DG), and Children with Special Needs (CWSN) categories. Parents have until March 16 to submit their online applications.

This is a significant opportunity for families who fall under these categories. The admission process reserves 25% of total seats specifically for EWS/DG/CWSN students in private schools across Delhi. Out of this 25%, 3% seats are reserved for children with special needs.

Who Can Apply

The eligibility criteria are clear and specific. For the EWS category, your family's annual income from all sources must be less than Rs 5 lakh. You must also be a resident of Delhi.

The Disadvantaged Group category includes children from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes (non-creamy layer). Orphans, transgender children, and children living with HIV also fall under this category.

Admissions under these categories follow the Right to Education Act provisions. The selection happens through a computerized lottery system, ensuring a fair and transparent process.

Age Requirements You Need to Know

Getting the age criteria right is important. Your child must meet these age limits as of March 31, 2026:

Pre-school nursery: 3 to 5 years
Pre-primary KG: 4 to 6 years
Class 1: 5 to 7 years

Children with special needs get additional flexibility. For nursery, the age limit extends from 3 to 7 years. For KG, it's 4 to 8 years. And for Class 1, children aged 5 to 9 years can apply.

Understanding the Seat Reservation

Private schools in Delhi maintain a 75-25 split in their admission structure. While 75% seats fall under the open category, 25% are reserved for EWS/DG/CWSN students. This includes schools recognized by MCD and NDMC at the primary level.

The government has already released two lists for open category seats. Now, the focus shifts to filling the reserved seats through this special admission process.

Important Dates to Remember

The first computerized draw will take place on March 3. This is earlier than previous years, which means selected children will start their academic session alongside students admitted through the general category.

The new academic session begins on April 1. Parents should mark these dates in their calendars to stay on track with the admission process.

How to Submit Your Application

The application process is entirely online. You can access the portal through three websites: ewsadmissions.delhi.gov.in, www.edudel.nic.in, or www.edustud.nic.in.

Here's what you need to do:

Visit the official website of the Directorate of Education at www.edudel.nic.in. On the homepage, look for the admission link labeled 'EWS/DG Admission'. Click on the registration link.

Read all the instructions carefully. These guidelines are there to help you fill the form correctly. Click on 'Proceed to Apply' to access the application form.

Fill in all the required details. Take your time with this step. Any mistake could affect your application. Upload all necessary documents as specified.

After filling the form, click save. Download the confirmation page and take a printout. Keep this printout safe. You might need it during the admission process.

Documents You'll Need

While the specific document list will be mentioned on the portal, typically you'll need proof of residence in Delhi, income certificate, birth certificate of the child, and category certificate if applicable. For CWSN category, medical certification proving the special need is required.

Make sure all your documents are clear and readable before uploading. Blurry or unclear documents can lead to application rejection.

Getting Help When You Need It

The Directorate of Education has set up helpline numbers for parents who face difficulties or have questions. You can call 8800355192 or 9818154069 between 10 AM and 5 PM, Monday to Friday.

Don't hesitate to use these helplines if you're stuck at any step. The staff is there to assist you through the process.

What Makes This Year Different

The early schedule this year is a positive change. In the past, EWS admissions happened much later, which meant children joining through this quota missed the initial days of school. This year, with the draw on March 3 and session starting April 1, all students begin together.

This gives EWS/DG/CWSN students the same learning opportunities from day one. They won't have to catch up on missed lessons or feel left behind.

Tips for a Smooth Application

Don't wait until the last day to apply. Technical issues can happen, and you don't want to miss the deadline because of a slow internet connection or website traffic.

Keep digital copies of all documents ready before you start the application. This makes the upload process much faster.

Double check all information before submitting. A wrong date of birth or incorrect address can cause problems later.

After submitting, make multiple copies of your confirmation page. Keep them in different places. One copy should be in a digital format on your phone or email.

After the Lottery Draw

Once the computerized draw happens on March 3, selected students will receive seat allotment notifications. Schools will then contact parents with further instructions for completing the admission process.

Keep checking your email and phone regularly after March 3. Schools might have specific deadlines for completing formalities, and missing these could mean losing the allotted seat.

This admission process opens doors for thousands of children from economically weaker sections and disadvantaged groups. It gives them access to quality education in private schools, something that might otherwise be out of reach. If your child is eligible, make sure you apply before March 16. Good preparation and timely submission can make all the difference.