Delhi to hold entrance test for admissions to CM SHRI schools: Applications open from 30 July

The Delhi government has announced an entrance test for Classes 6 to 8 in 33 of its newly developed CM SHRI schools. These are part of a wider plan to create high-quality, government-run institutions across the city.

The Directorate of Education (DoE) will conduct the CM SHRI Schools Admission Test 2025 for the 2025–26 academic year. According to the official guidelines, the selection process will be “fair, transparent and merit-based”.

Only students who both reside in Delhi and are currently enrolled in Classes 6, 7 or 8 at a recognised Delhi-based school are eligible to apply.

Key dates and format
The application window opens on 30 July and will remain active until 15 August. Admit cards will be available from 23 August. The test is scheduled for 30 August, from 11 am to 1.30 pm.

Results will be declared on 10 September. Admissions will need to be completed by 15 September.

The entrance test will be objective-type, OMR-based, and bilingual. It will cover five areas: Hindi, English, General Awareness, Mental Ability, and Numerical Aptitude. Total duration is 150 minutes. Students with special needs will get extra time as per existing rules. There will be no negative marking.

Test centres will be set up across various schools under the DoE to make the process geographically accessible.

Reserved seats and relaxations
At least 50 percent of available seats are reserved for students currently studying in Delhi’s government or government-aided schools. This includes schools run by the DoE, MCD, NDMC, Kendriya Vidyalayas, and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas.

The guidelines also confirm a 5 percent relaxation in eligibility marks for students from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBC (non-creamy layer) and Children With Special Needs (CWSN).

What are CM SHRI schools?
The CM SHRI (Chief Minister Schools for High-Quality Rejuvenation and Innovation) initiative was introduced earlier this year with the aim of raising the standard of education in Delhi’s public schools. These institutions have been notified as ‘Specified Category’ schools under Section 2 of the Right to Education Act, 2009.

They follow the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and will implement the National Curriculum Framework 2023.

Speaking on the initiative earlier, Education Minister Ashish Sood said the government had "provisionally shortlisted 75 schools" for development under the CM SHRI programme. Of these, 33 schools are now ready for the first round of admissions.

Tech-enabled campuses with a green focus
Each CM SHRI school is being developed as a smart, sustainable campus. According to officials, they will operate as zero-waste and solar-powered institutions.

Facilities include AI-enabled libraries, augmented and virtual reality learning tools, biometric attendance systems, smartboards, and robotics laboratories. The focus is on encouraging innovation and interactive learning from an early stage.

The Delhi government is working towards inaugurating these schools in September, an official confirmed.

Transition in board affiliation
As part of wider structural reforms, the Delhi Board of School Education (DBSE) is being phased out. All schools that were under DBSE will now be affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).

This shift is being aligned with the new education policy goals and will bring all such schools under a national academic standard.

In her budget speech earlier this year, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had allocated Rs 100 crore for the CM SHRI school project. The investment reflects the government’s focus on making public education more competitive and better aligned with current and future learning needs.