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‘Re-verify data, send corrections’: DoE says schools can’t deny admission once vacant seats finalised

The DoE’s Private School Branch will consolidate the data by September 2, as per officials

2 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Aug 31, 2025 08:47 AM IST

Roughly 95–97% of the vacant seats are in Classes II to VIII, about 3 to 4% in Classes IX to X, and less than 1% in Classes XI to XII (Express File Photo/Sophiya Mathew)

The Directorate of Education (DoE), in a communication dated August 27, asked private unaided schools to re-verify the number of vacancies for Classes 2 and above and send corrections, if required, adding that they cannot cite unavailability of seats to deny admissions once the numbers are finalised. According to the DoE’s class-wise vacancy list, 2,253 EWS seats are still lying vacant across 411 private unaided schools on government-allotted land in Delhi.

The DoE’s Private School Branch will consolidate the data by September 2, as per officials. As per its list, the highest number of vacancies are in Southwest Delhi schools (23%), followed by West and New Delhi districts at around 16% each. Meanwhile in North and Northeast Delhi schools, the seats are mostly filled with around 60-80 vacancies.

Roughly 95–97% of the vacant seats are in Classes II to VIII, about 3 to 4% in Classes IX to X, and less than 1% in Classes XI to XII. In the lower classes, the vacancies are higher. For instance, for up to Class 8, around 70% vacancies are in Classes II to V, with this gap narrowing in higher classes.

“If no representation is received from the concerned school, then it will be presumed that the data … in respect of the school is correct and accordingly candidate will be allotted through computerized draw of lots. Thereafter school shall not be permitted to deny the admission to the successful candidates of the draw of lots on the ground of ‘No Vacancy. If any school denies the admission on this ground, then the appropriate action will be taken against the school as per the relevant provisions of DSEAR, 1973 and RTE act 2009,” read a circular issued by the DOE on August 27.

As per an official, a round of computerised draw of lots will be conducted, after the vacancies are verified. The first computerised draw of lots for EWS/DG (disadvantaged) entry-level admissions in Delhi’s private unaided schools was held on March 5, when around 42,000 seats were allotted.

Sophiya Mathew

Sophiya Mathew is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in New Delhi. She joined the Delhi bureau in 2024, and has specialization in Integrated Multimedia Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai. Professional Background Core Beats: Her reporting is primarily focused on the Environment and Education. Specialization: She has gained recognition for her ground-level reporting on the Yamuna floodplains and the socio-economic challenges faced by those living on its banks. She also focuses on the disparities in Delhi's education system, ranging from elite private schools to government institutions and refugee education. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent work has been heavily centered on Delhi's severe winter pollution crisis and the government's regulatory responses: 1. The Air Pollution Crisis "A tale of two cities: Delhi govt schools choke in bad air, private classrooms set up air filters" (Dec 20, 2025): A high-impact feature contrasting the "Clean Air Bubbles" in elite schools with the reality of government school students who are exposed to an equivalent of 17 cigarettes a day due to outdoor exposure. "Delhi sees season's worst air day, second worst December AQI in nearly a decade" (Dec 15, 2025): An analytical report on the meteorological patterns trapping pollutants in the NCR. "Delhi bans non-BS VI vehicles from outside: Why curbing vehicular pollution is key" (Dec 17, 2025): Explaining the science behind targeting specific vehicle vintages to lower particulate matter. 2. Enforcement & Regulations "No fuel at pumps in Delhi without valid PUC certificate from December 18" (Dec 17, 2025): Breaking the news on the environment ministry's strict "No PUC, No Fuel" policy. 3. Education Policy "Law to regulate school fee in Delhi risks becoming procedural, say parents" (Dec 13, 2025): Investigating the loopholes in the new Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025. "Monsoon Session: Private school fee regulation Bill cleared after four-hour debate" (Aug 9, 2025): Covering the legislative passage of the controversial fee hike regulation. Signature Style Sophiya is known for her observational depth. Her reporting often includes vivid details from school corridors, hospital waitlists, or the banks of the Yamuna to illustrate how policy failures affect the city's most vulnerable residents. She is a frequent expert guest on the 3 Things podcast, where she explains the complexities of Delhi’s environmental laws. X (Twitter): @SophiyaMathew1 ... Read More

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