Nearly 6,000 students get entry-level seats in Delhi private schools under EWS, DG, CWSN quotas

The Directorate of Education (DoE), Delhi, has allotted 5,993 entry-level seats in private unaided recognized schools to students from the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), Disadvantaged Group (DG), and Children with Special Needs (CWSN) categories for the 2025–26 academic year.

The selections were made through a computerized lottery system to maintain fairness and transparency.

Admissions were granted in nursery, kindergarten (KG), and Class 1, in line with the guidelines issued by the department on Jan 3.

As per official data, 2,919 students were allotted nursery seats, 733 secured admission in KG, and 2,341 got seats in Class 1.

The DoE has set specific age limits for each category. For EWS and DG students, children must be aged between 3 and 5 years for nursery, 4 and 6 years for KG, and 5 and 7 years for Class 1 as of March 31.

For CWSN applicants, the permissible age range is wider: 3 to 7 years for nursery, 4 to 8 years for KG, and 5 to 9 years for Class 1.

Eligibility for EWS requires an annual family income below ₹5 lakh, along with a valid income certificate issued by the Delhi Revenue Department.

Children holding BPL or Antyodaya Anna Yojana ration cards are also considered eligible.

Under the DG category, the eligible groups include children from SC, ST, and OBC (non-creamy layer) backgrounds; orphans; transgender children; and those affected by HIV.

For applicants in the CWSN category, submission of a government-issued disability certificate is mandatory, though there is no income requirement.

Officials said the admission process highlights the government's efforts to ensure equal access to quality education for children from marginalized and vulnerable sections of society.