Mumbai school admission guide 2027-28

Mumbai has no single common schedule: CBSE, ICSE and IB schools usually open pre-primary and entry-class registration between September and December, and state-board schools follow later. Seats at popular schools fill quickly, so start enquiries early.

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 Maharashtra government notice.

Rules to know in Mumbai

School-wise process

Each school sets its own registration dates, forms and interaction process. Watch individual school websites and notice boards from August onwards.

RTE 25% quota

Under the Right to Education Act, private unaided schools reserve 25% of entry-level seats for eligible children. Maharashtra runs a separate online RTE lottery, usually in the first quarter of the year.

Age criteria

Maharashtra fixes a cutoff date by which a child must reach the minimum age for each entry class. Confirm the current year's state notice and each school's own rule.

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.