Delhi EWS Admissions 2026 for Nursery, KG and Class 1 have started under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and Disadvantaged Group (DG) quota in private unaided recognised schools through an online application process conducted by the Directorate of Education, Government of NCT of Delhi (DoE Delhi).
Parents can submit applications on the official EWS/DG admission portal till 16 March 2026 for entry-level classes in the 2026–27 academic session. This guide explains eligibility, age criteria, documents, online application steps, lottery process and result checking in a simple, parent-friendly format.
Delhi EWS Admissions 2026 – Overview
The Directorate of Education, Government of NCT of Delhi (DoE Delhi) manages the Delhi EWS Admissions 2026 for entry-level classes in private unaided recognized schools.
| Admission Authority | Directorate of Education, Government of NCT of Delhi (DoE Delhi) |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | EWS/DG/CWSN Freeship Admission under the RTE Act |
| Eligible Classes | Nursery, KG (Kindergarten), Class 1 |
| Admission Type | Free seats in private unaided recognized schools (25% RTE quota) |
| Application Mode | Online only at ewsadmissions.delhi.gov.in |
| Selection Process | Computerized online lottery draw by DoE Delhi |
| Application Dates 2026 | February 21, 2026 to March 16, 2026 |
| Official Website | ewsadmissions.delhi.gov.in / edudel.nic.in |
Apply Online for Delhi EWS Admissions 2026
What is the Delhi EWS / DG Admission Scheme?
Under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, 25% of the entry-level seats in private unaided recognised schools (except minority institutions) are reserved for children from Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), Disadvantaged Groups (DG), and Children with Special Needs (CWSN).
DoE Delhi implements the scheme in Delhi and provides free education (no tuition fee and regulated charges) in participating private schools for the entire elementary stage to selected children.
The EWS category is based mainly on family income criteria, while DG covers social categories such as SC, ST, OBC (non-creamy layer) and other notified groups like orphans, transgender and children with disabilities as per government rules.
Admissions are centralised, and parents do not pay any application fee to schools; the process is routed through the online portal, and allocation is done via a computerised draw.
Eligibility Criteria for Delhi EWS Admissions 2026
EWS Category Criteria
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The child must belong to a family categorised as Economically Weaker Section under the Delhi government norms.
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Total annual family income (from all sources) must be less than or equal to ₹5,00,000.
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A valid income certificate issued by a competent revenue authority of GNCTD is mandatory.
DG Category Criteria
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Child must belong to specified Disadvantaged Groups such as SC, ST, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), children with disability, orphans, transgender children and other categories notified by DoE Delhi.
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A relevant category certificate issued by a competent authority of Delhi is required.
Income Limit Requirement
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For EWS: Annual family income up to ₹5 lakh.
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For DG: Income limit is generally not mandatory if eligibility is purely category-based.
Delhi Residence Requirement
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The child must be a resident of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
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Valid address proof showing the Delhi address is required.
Age Limit for Nursery, KG & Class 1 (Session 2026–27)
Age is calculated as of 31 March 2026.
| Class | Age Range | Date of Birth Range (2026–27 EWS/DG) |
|---|---|---|
| Nursery (Pre-School) | 3 to 5 years | Between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2023 |
| KG (Kindergarten) | 4 to 6 years | Between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2022 |
| Class 1 | 5 to 7 years | Between 1 April 2019 and 31 March 2021 |
Delhi EWS Admission Important Dates 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| EWS/DG/CWSN admission prospectus release | February 20, 2026 |
| Online application start date | February 21, 2026 |
| Last date to apply online | March 16, 2026 |
| First selection list / lottery result | March–April 2026 (exact date via DoE circular) |
| Subsequent draw(s) / waiting list (if any) | As notified on DoE portal |
Documents Required for Delhi EWS Admission 2026
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Child’s birth certificate (for date of birth and name).
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Income certificate (for EWS) issued by the competent authority showing family income under ₹5 lakh.
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Residence proof of Delhi: ration card, voter ID, electricity/water bill, Aadhaar with address, etc., as per DoE list.
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Aadhaar card of the child and/or parents, where required.
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Caste certificate (for SC/ST/OBC under DG category).
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Disability certificate for CWSN, where applicable.
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A recent passport-size photograph of the child.
All documents must be scanned clearly and uploaded in the specified format.
How to Apply Online for Delhi EWS Admissions 2026
Follow this step-by-step guide based on the official portal:
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Visit the official EWS/DG admission portal at ewsadmissions.delhi.gov.in. Click here to apply online for Delhi EWS Admissions 2026.
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Click on “Register for New Applicant” or the “EWS/DG/CWSN Admission 2026–27” link.
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Read the general instructions carefully, tick the declaration checkbox, and click “Proceed to Apply”.
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Enter child details (name, DOB, gender), parent details, income, and address exactly as per documents.
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Choose preferred schools from the available list and save your choices.
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Upload scanned copies of the required documents in the prescribed format and size.
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Review all entries carefully, then submit the form. Save or print the acknowledgement number for future reference.
Delhi EWS School Selection & Lottery System
The DoE Delhi processes all applications via a computerized random lottery for fairness and to eliminate manual bias. The draw occurs school-wise, considering available seats, category, and the preferences selected in the form.
Parents receive allotment notifications through the portal and SMS on the registered mobile number, with results also posted online. Draw dates and times are announced separately via official circulars.
Delhi EWS Lottery Result 2026
Results appear on the EWS admission portal after each draw. Parents can check by entering the registration number and child’s details on the result section. If selected, the allotted school and reporting instructions are displayed.
Check Delhi EWS Lottery Result 2026.
Admission Confirmation Process After Selection
Selected parents must visit the allotted school within the specified timeline, carrying original documents and photocopies for verification. The school confirms eligibility and completes admission (forms, photos, etc.).
Missing the deadline or document issues can lead to seat cancellation and reallocation. Keep the allotment SMS/printout and application form handy.
Common Mistakes Parents Should Avoid
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Missing the 16 March 2026 deadline.
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Incorrect DOB or age entry.
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Wrong category selection.
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Mismatched address details.
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Not noting registration number.
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Paying unofficial charges.
