Delhi Nursery admissions have begun on January 1. There have not been many changes in the admission process, however, Manish Sisodia, Education Minister of Delhi had directed the schools to declare the admission criteria. Over 300 schools had been given a third deadline to notify admission criteria.

Almost every school is following basic parameters like distance, sibling in the school, alumni parents, qualification and occupation of parents, girl child and single parent, however, some schools have come up with a criterion like vegetarianism that has shocked the parents.

Mahavir Senior Model School (MSMS) which is a Jain majority school has put a total of 15 points, 5 each for vegetarian, non-smoker and teetotaler parents. "Getting your child admitted in schools is already a tough task in Delhi, and such criteria giving as good as 15 points makes it even tougher. I might be considering some other schools," says a parent who wish to apply for MSMS.

Meanwhile, G. D Goenka Public School in Rohini Sector 9 has allotted 5 points to the child whose parents are Defence/Medical professionals or Professors/Teachers. Moreover, the school has booked 20 per cent for Management quota. Gyan Bharti, Saket has allotted 50 points to distance.

Modern school which is known as one of the well-known schools in Delhi has allotted additional 20 points for alumni, 25 points for double or two generation alumni and 30 points for three or more generations alumni. "Dynasty is being run by these schools. How can we expect an outsider to get their child admitted if 30 points are being given to triple alumni," said Sumit Vohra, Founder, Nurseryadmissions.com

While Delhi Public School gives maximum importance to distance and girl child, Springdales, Dhaula Kuan emphasises on linguistic and regional minority including inter-caste parents. "Last year I tried to get my son admitted in DPS, he could not get through. I'm hoping my daughter who is my second child, will get admission this year as she might get an edge for being a girl child," says a parent residing in Moti Bagh.

"It is shocking to see that schools have such arbitrary rules as inter-caste parents as admission parameters. There are already so many parameters; these only lead to chaos and trouble," said another parent who wishes to send her first child to Springdales.

An official at Springdales said that 5 points is being given to Religious & Linguistic Minority, keeping the ethos and objectives of the school which embrace a diverse mix of children from different communities, religions and linguistic groups.

Vohra also raised questions over the screening process for admissions. Neo Convent Sr. Sc. School has mentioned that admission to any class will be on the basis of a screening test, either written or oral or both as deemed fit in an individual case. "The whole purpose of Ganguly committee that has suggested no screening for child has been defeated," Vohra added.

According to Delhi High Court, ruling schools have the autonomy to set their own admission criteria. "Private unaided recognised school managements have a fundamental right to maximum autonomy in the day to-day administration including the right to admit students," said the court quashing the LG's nursery admissions guidelines last year.