School admission process for EWS, other groups to finally commence April 30 DATESHEET

ADMISSIONS IN the economically weaker section ( EWS), disadvantage d group ( DG), and chil dren with s pecial nee ds ( CWSN) categor y i n private schools in Delhi is set to begin on April 30 with the process of filling online applications.

Admissions to this category have been delayed this year – the online application process began on February 10 last year, and on March 29 in 2022. The academic year began in the first week of April i n most schools.

In a circular on Wednesday, t he Directorate of Education ( DOE) issued the guidelines for EWS, DG and CWSN category admissions. According to the admission sche dule, t he l ast date for submission of online applications is May 15 while the first computerised draw of lots will b e held on May 20. The draw of l ots i s usually done more than once for available seats.

According to the circular, admission under the EWS category is for those with an annual

Admission schedule for EWS, CWSN and disadvantaged groups: April 30: Module for filling applications online opens

May 15: Last date for submission of online applications

May 20 : First compute - rised draw of lots

family income of less than Rs 1 lakh.

In previous years, the annual family income cap for students under the EWS category was Rs 1 lakh. But in March this year, the Delhi High Court had ordered that the annual family income l i mit f or admission to schools under the EWS category will now be Rs. 2.5 lakh.

I n Decemb er, t he HC had said in an interim order that the annual i ncome l i mit f or t he EWS categor y would b e Rs 5 lakh. The government had then moved an appeal in the matter af ter which i t was brought down to Rs. 2. 5 l akh i n t he court’s order in March.

The Delhi government refused to comment on why the income cap has remained Rs 1 lakh in the new circular.

At the entry level ( Nursery, KG, and Class 1), a total of 25% of seats in private schools are reserve d for students from the EWS, DG, and CWSN category.

The disadvantage d group category includes students bel onging to s che dule d castes, scheduled tribes, other backward classes, transgender students, orphaned children, and children living with or affected by HIV.

A total of 22% seats at the entry level in private schools are reserved for students from the EWS and DG category while 3% of seats are reserved for differently abled students.

The process was centralised over a decade ago, after parents complained that they were bei ng t urne d away f rom t he s chool gates without b ei ng given application forms.

Last year, 35,000 seats were available across 2,0 01 recognised private schools. Of these, close to 6,000 remained vacant despite multiple draws of lots.