In Delhi’s private schools, entry-level admission for EWS category students delayed

On Tuesday, the High Court modified a December 5 judgment of a single-judge bench, which had directed the Delhi government to increase the threshold income for EWS admissions from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, with an immediate effect. Following the December judgment, the Directorate of Education (DoE) had moved an appeal in the matter.

In private unaided schools, 25% of seats are reserved for the EWS, DG and CWSN students; with 3% of this for CWSNs.

For students under the general category, the admission process for nursery, kindergarten (KG), and Class 1 in private schools began on November 23, 2023. The academic year usually kicks off in April.

In 2023, the admission process for the EWS, DG and CWSN students had kicked off earlier with the opening of an online module for filling up applications on February 10. The first computerised draw of lots by the DoE for the admission of students under these categories was conducted on March 3, as per the admission schedule released last year. In 2022, the online application process for admission began on March 22, and on April 7 in 2021.

Several seats under the category remain vacant each year. For instance, out of nearly 35,000 seats available in private schools for nursery, KG, and Class I students last year, more than 6,000 remained vacant, according to data submitted to the Delhi Assembly in response to a question raised in December.