Bengaluru school admission guide 2027-28

Bengaluru's private schools run their own admissions, and many open pre-primary and entry-class registration as early as September to November for the following June session — earlier than most cities. Plan your shortlist by late summer.

Typical timeline

Enquiries & campus visits
Aug–Oct 2026 · happening now
Shortlist schools, attend open days and register interest. Popular schools start taking enquiries from August.
Nursery & entry-class registration
Nov 2026–Jan 2027
Pre-primary and entry-level forms are released first and fill fastest — register in the first fortnight.
Main admission window
Nov 2026–Feb 2027
Forms for Class 1 onwards, interactions or entrance tests, and document submission at most private schools.
Results, offers & fee payment
Feb–Mar 2027
Schools publish lists and offers; secure a seat by paying the admission fee before the stated deadline.
New session begins
Apr 2027
The academic year starts in April for CBSE, ICSE and most state-board schools.

Dates are typical. Always confirm with the school or the official Karnataka government notice.

Rules to know in Bengaluru

Early, school-wise registration

Popular CBSE, ICSE and international schools often close entry-level registration by December. Check each school's website for its own window.

RTE 25% quota

Karnataka runs RTE admissions through a state online process with an annual schedule. Eligibility rules for which schools participate can change, so check the current notice.

Age criteria

Karnataka sets a minimum age for Class 1 as on 1 June of the admission year; schools align their pre-primary ages to it. Confirm the current rule before applying.

Application tips

Shortlist 6–10 schools by distance first — most city schools give weight to how close you live, and a long commute wears children down.
Keep a documents folder ready before forms open: birth certificate, address proof, parents' ID, recent photos, Aadhaar (if available), caste/EWS certificate where applicable, and the previous school's report card and transfer certificate for older children.
Visit campuses or attend open days. Ask about class size, teacher turnover, transport routes and the full fee breakup, not just tuition.
Apply to several schools rather than one — popular schools receive many more applications than seats.
Note every school's fee-payment deadline separately. An offer usually lapses if the admission fee is not paid in time.
Save receipts and registration numbers for every form; you will need them to check lists and results.