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The Directorate of Education (DoE) on Saturday opened the online admission process for students from economically weaker sections (EWS), disadvantaged groups (DG), and children with special needs (CWSN) for entry-level classes in private unaided recognised schools in Delhi for the 2026-27 academic session. In its circular issued on Friday, the DoE’s Private School Branch underlined that the last date for submission of applications is March 16.

Criteria for admission

Admissions are in progress for the various entry level classes: pre, school (nursery), pre, primary (KG), and Class 1. It is a must for private, unaided recognised schools to enrol a minimum of 25% of students from EWS and disadvantaged families at the entry level and to offer free and compulsory education till the completion of elementary schooling. “The admission process shall be conducted through a computerised online system and allotment of schools will be done through draw of lots,” the circular stated. The date of the first computerised draw will be announced separately.

The age limits for admission remain the same as last year, according to the circular. As per the guidelines, applications for nursery admissions should be between 3 and 5 years, as on March 31, 2026, KG applicants between 4 and 6 years, and Class 1 applicants between 5 and 7 years. Separate relaxed age limits apply for children with disabilities.

Children of families whose combined yearly income is under Rs 5 lakh may apply as EWS. Students of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes (non, creamy layer) as well as orphans and transgender children, and those infected with HIV are considered as disadvantaged groups under the Right To Education Act.

Within the 25% quota, 30% of seats are reserved for the CWSN category.

In December 2024, Delhi L-G V K Saxena had increased the annual income cap from Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh for students seeking admission in private schools under the EWS quota. This had led to a significant increase in the number of applications even as there was not a proportionate increase in the number of seats.The admission process saw demand far exceeding available seats last year.

According to official figures released during the 2025-26 admission cycle, around 42,000 seats were allotted in the first draw of lots.

For nursery alone, 24,933 seats had attracted 1,00,854 applications, while 4,682 KG seats drew 40,488 applicants and 14,430 Class 1 seats drew 62,598 applications. The admission process is conducted through a computerised draw of lots in multiple rounds to fill seats that may remain vacant after each allotment phase.

As CBSE rolls out examination reforms for the 2026 academic year, students and parents — especially in Class 12 — continue to seek clarity on improvement exams, eligibility and number of attempts. To address these concerns, CBSE Controller of Examinations Sanyam Bharadwaj has explained the options available to candidates.

How can Class 12 students improve their percentage?

CBSE allows students to enhance their Class 12 performance through two routes:

• Supplementary examination (July 2026):
  Students can appear for improvement in only one subject through the supplementary exam scheduled for 15 July 2026.
  

• Next year’s main board examination (February 2027):
  If a student wishes to improve marks in more than one subject, they must appear in the full board examination conducted the following year.
  

Can Class 12 students take board exams twice in one year?

No. CBSE has clarified that the two-board-exam system applies only to Class 10 students, not Class 12. Therefore, Class 12 candidates cannot attempt two board examinations in the same academic year.

What about improvement exams for Class 10?

Class 10 students will have greater flexibility. They can register for a second examination as an improvement attempt:

• Within 10 days after the main exams (based on expected performance)
  

• Or after results are declared (based on actual marks)
  

However, only those who submit the application form and pay the required fee will be allowed to appear.

When will improvement exam forms be released?

For Class 12, improvement and compartment exam registrations will begin after results are declared in May 2026, along with a detailed CBSE circular explaining the application process.

Does CBSE calculate percentages?

CBSE clarified it does not calculate or declare overall percentage. The marksheet shows subject-wise marks only. Universities and employers calculate percentages according to their own admission or recruitment criteria.

With reforms underway, the board has reiterated that improvement opportunities for Class 12 remain limited compared to Class 10. Students are advised to closely follow official CBSE notifications to avoid missing important deadlines.

As CBSE rolls out examination reforms for the 2026 academic year, students and parents — especially in Class 12 — continue to seek clarity on improvement exams, eligibility and number of attempts. To address these concerns, CBSE Controller of Examinations Sanyam Bharadwaj has explained the options available to candidates.

How can Class 12 students improve their percentage?

CBSE allows students to enhance their Class 12 performance through two routes:

• Supplementary examination (July 2026):
  Students can appear for improvement in only one subject through the supplementary exam scheduled for 15 July 2026.
  

• Next year’s main board examination (February 2027):
  If a student wishes to improve marks in more than one subject, they must appear in the full board examination conducted the following year.
  

Can Class 12 students take board exams twice in one year?

No. CBSE has clarified that the two-board-exam system applies only to Class 10 students, not Class 12. Therefore, Class 12 candidates cannot attempt two board examinations in the same academic year.

What about improvement exams for Class 10?

Class 10 students will have greater flexibility. They can register for a second examination as an improvement attempt:

• Within 10 days after the main exams (based on expected performance)
  

• Or after results are declared (based on actual marks)
  

However, only those who submit the application form and pay the required fee will be allowed to appear.

When will improvement exam forms be released?

For Class 12, improvement and compartment exam registrations will begin after results are declared in May 2026, along with a detailed CBSE circular explaining the application process.

Does CBSE calculate percentages?

CBSE clarified it does not calculate or declare overall percentage. The marksheet shows subject-wise marks only. Universities and employers calculate percentages according to their own admission or recruitment criteria.

With reforms underway, the board has reiterated that improvement opportunities for Class 12 remain limited compared to Class 10. Students are advised to closely follow official CBSE notifications to avoid missing important deadlines.

In a significant stride towards reforming the State's education sector, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday ceremonially launched theProvincial-isation Management System (PMS) portal at a programme held at Lok Sewa Bhawan. This dedicated digital platform is designed to streamline, monitor, and process applications for the provincialisation of venture institutions and their associated teaching and non-teaching staff. The initiative, which centralises all the education department data, can be located on the official websites of Elementary, Madhyamik, and Higher Education.

During the conversation, Sarma shared his happiness for the launch and pointed out that the PMS portal was solely made to help the teachers and educational staff applying under the Assam Education (Provincialisation of Services of Teachers and Re, organisation of Educational Institutions) Act, 2017, as amended in 2025.

The Chief Minister traced the history of the State's provincialisation process and said that when he was the Education Minister in 2011, the services of more than 39, 000 teachers were provincialised, then in 2017 provincialisation was extended to more than 16, 000 staff members.

This third stage of provincialisation focuses on all non-provincial academic institutions, including venture LP, UP/ME, high, and senior secondary schools, as well as degree colleges. The Chief Minister explained that the base year for the establishment of these institutions has been set as in existence before 1st January 2006.

To apply, institutions have to send a full set of documents including the permission/recognition certificates, land documents, declaration of the pass percentage of the last four years, and details of each teaching and non, teaching staff member.

Furthermore, the Chief Minister announced that the Government has made a specific provision in this year's Vote-on-Account Budget for the 'Gurudakshina' scheme. Under this initiative, teaching and non-teaching staff whose services cannot be provincialised will be provided with a financial package. The Government also intends to introduce a 'preferential marking system' to assist these individuals when applying for other Government jobs, ensuring a secured future for those who have dedicated years to venture academic institutions.

The Chief Minister concluded by calling upon all stakeholders to extend their support to resolve issues pertaining to venture institutions and urged everyone concerned to make full use of the new digital facility. The event was attended by Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, who delivered the welcome address, alongside Assam State School Education Board Chairman RC Jain, Secretary of School Education Department SN Chowdhury, and Director of Secondary Education Mamata Hojai.

More than 31, 000 students of Class 12 have appeared for the Higher Secondary examination which is conducted by the Council of Higher Secondary Education, Manipur and the examinations started on Tuesday.

Officials informed that the annual board examinations are held in 117 examination centres across the state, out of which 39 are in the hill districts and 78 in the valley areas.

The total number of candidates for this year's examination is 31, 530. Of these, 15, 908 are boys, and 15, 622 are girls. Besides this, the authorities have confirmed that 412 students who were displaced due to ethnic clashes have been permitted to appear for the exams and special arrangements have been made to facilitate their participation.

Analysis of the streams indicates that the majority of students are in the Science Stream with 23, 146 students. The Arts stream has 7, 697 students, and there are 687 candidates in the Commerce stream.

Additional police officers have been stationed at all examination centres by the state police to facilitate the smooth and fair conduct of the exams. The officials have underlined the importance of following the rules of discipline, being on time, and maintaining transparency during the whole exam time.

The examinations will be held till March 20, and the first paper on the opening day is English.

However, it was reported that there was an incident at Wabagai Higher Secondary School in the Kakching district where tensions briefly escalated. Some students, according to the report, asked for more time to complete their answer papers. Things got heated when a few students supposedly tore their answer sheets as a sign of protest, which caused a disruption at the centre. The situation was handled, officials said.

The Manipur boards grading system stipulates that students who score 400 marks or more (80 per cent and above) are awarded a Distinction with a letter. First Division is given to those who get 300 marks or more (60 per cent and above). Second Division is given to those who get marks between 225 and below 300 (4560 per cent), whereas Third Division marks range from 165 to below 225 (3345 per cent).

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta jointly inaugurated CM Shri School at Sarojini Nagar on Tuesday, the event also marking the launch of what is said to be the country's first AI driven comprehensive school model.

Also at the event, 75 other CM Shri School projects across the Capital had their foundation stones laid. Being developed in consonance with the National Education Policy, the program intends to infuse the government school system with modern, technology, integrated and upgraded educational environments.

Highlighting the significance of that move as a milestone, Pradhan congratulated the Delhi government on the progress in the education sector within a year, which he said is highly commendable. He said the 75 CM Shri Schools will be developed as institutions of high standards and serve as ‘Centres of Excellence’, offering facilities comparable to private schools for students from economically weaker, lower and middle-income families.

“Through CM Shri Schools, students will receive modern, technology-enabled education comparable to private institutions,” he said, adding that effective implementation of the National Education Policy remains a key responsibility.

AI Classrooms, Competitive Exam Support and Skill Labs

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the CM Shri Schools represent far more than new infrastructure. They aren't just buildings. They represent a promise to make children in Delhi compete at a global level, she emphasized.

The schools are going to be AI equipped smart classrooms fitted with interactive panels, digital content and state of art educational tools to aid personalised learning. More than 7, 000 classrooms in Delhi are being transformed into AI, enabled smart classrooms, and all are expected to be ready for use before March 31.

Moreover, a special digital platform has been launched for students' preparations for tough competitive exams like JEE, NEET, CUET, CLAT, and NDA. The platform will offer online tests, performance tracking and structured preparation, directly within government schools.

Multi, sectoral skill labs will be the first point of students' exposure to robotics, artificial intelligence, design and mechatronics. ICT labs will be a source of digital literacy, coding and computational thinking skills while digitised libraries will make e, books, research materials and competitive exam resources accessible. Career labs will be able to identify a student's aptitude and interests through various tests and thus provide direction towards the suitable post, secondary education and employment options. Dedicated ‘Science of Living’ spaces will focus on mental well-being, moral education and personality development. Language labs promoting multilingual education and foreign language learning are also being established to expand global opportunities.

For the first time, mandatory industry-linked internships during schooling are being introduced in government schools to provide practical exposure.

Expanding Digital Infrastructure Across Delhi

Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to integrating AI and digital innovation into mainstream education. He announced that 175 new ICT labs equipped with 7,000 computers are being launched, alongside more than 100 digital libraries and over 175 language labs.

He said digital and technology-enabled education is now being extended uniformly across Delhi, from Rohini to Dera Mandi and from Hiran Kudna to Yamunapar, ensuring equal access for students across regions.

According to the Chief Minister, the new model is designed not only to improve board examination results but also to enable admissions into IITs, medical colleges and foreign universities, while fostering entrepreneurship and quality employment.

Describing the initiative as a foundation for a developed Delhi, Gupta said the CM Shri Schools will create a global education ecosystem, taking students from classrooms to global careers, and set a new benchmark for public education in India.