DU EWS, DG admissions: Draw of lots held for 55,701 seats

The Delhi Government on Monday conducted the computerised draw of lots for admissions to entry-level classes (Nursery/KG/Class 1) under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), Disadvantaged Group (DG), and Children With Special Needs (CWSN) categories for the 2026-27 academic session, with over 55,000 seats on offer across private schools. Officials said the total number of seats has increased significantly.

A total of 55,701 seats have been made available this year, compared to 50,516 in the previous year. Under the EWS and DG categories, the number of seats has increased from 44,045 to 48,092, while the number of CWSN seats has risen from 6,471 to 7,609. The number of participating schools has also gone up. A total of 2,308 schools are part of the admission process this year, compared to 2,219 in the previous session.

The draw, organised by the Directorate of Education at the Old Secretariat, was carried out in the presence of parents and stakeholders to ensure transparency. Education Minister Ashish Sood formally initiated and supervised the process. “The Government is committed to ensuring that every eligible child gets access to quality education through a fair and transparent system,” Sood said after the draw. He added that technology and verification measures have strengthened the process this year.

According to official data, the Directorate of Education received 1,39,524 applications for admissions this year. Out of these, 1,38,536 applications under the EWS and DG categories were found to be complete. In the CWSN category, complete applications increased to 988 from 904 last year.

The minister said the Government has introduced Aadhaar-based verification and improved software systems developed by the National Informatics Centre to eliminate duplicate and fake applications. These steps have helped ensure that benefits reach genuine applicants.

He also pointed to past data, stating that during the 2024-25 session, a total of 2,40,084 applications were received, of which more than one lakh were found to be duplicates or fake. This, he said, had distorted the process earlier and reduced chances for deserving candidates.

The draw process itself was conducted in a transparent manner, with a presentation-based system and active participation of parents. Officials said parents were directly involved in drawing lots, which helped build trust in the system.

Authorities clarified that once the draw results are finalised, no changes can be made. School allotments were issued immediately after the draw. The admission process has also been simplified this year. Document verification will now be conducted digitally through mobile systems, reducing the need for parents to visit schools multiple times.

The next stage of admissions is expected to begin within three days. Sood said that the Government’s focus remains on inclusivity and equal opportunity in education. The minister also noted a decline in the number of applications compared to previous years. He attributed this to improvements in Government schools, including the opening of CM Shri Schools, which have increased public confidence in the system.

According to him, more parents are now opting for Government schools, reflecting a shift in perception about public education in Delhi. Officials said the draw marks a key step in ensuring access to education for economically weaker sections and children with special needs, while maintaining transparency and efficiency in the process.