The 2026 school admission checklist every parent needs
Documents, deadlines, interviews — everything you need to navigate admissions for the 2026–27 academic year.
Admission season is a marathon, not a sprint. Here's the checklist we wish someone had given us.
Documents to keep ready: Birth certificate, Aadhaar (parent + child), address proof, previous report card, transfer certificate (if changing schools), photographs.
Timelines to track: Most CBSE/ICSE schools open applications in November–December. IB schools start as early as October. Plan visits before applications open.
For interviews: Schools assess curiosity and communication, not memorisation. Read with your child, but don't over-coach.
Ask about waitlists. Most reputed schools have movement on waitlists right up to June. Don't give up just because you weren't in the first list.
