According to the directions issued by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), schools cannot conduct entrance examinations or interviews of children seeking admission to the kindergarden.

School authorities maintain that in view these guidelines, children are asked to recite "whatever they wish".

"The main condition remains first come first serve. But we also observe the child's behaviour, whether he is in sync with his age, his cognitive and connative abilities. This is followed by an interaction with parents," says Aruna Bhardwaj, principal, Gurukul Global School.

The question on whether parents' background affects a child's chances elicits a negative response from her. "At the end of the day, it is the child who has to study. We do not deny admission to a student just because his parents are not educated. It will be unfair," she adds.

"The objective behind this is to ascertain how much parents are involved with their children. A communication with them helps us understand whether parents can devote time to a child and how well can they contribute to her social and academic development," avers Punita Singh of Carmel Convent School.

For Anu Chaudhary of Vivek High School, terming the interaction with parents as an "interview" is a wrong interpretation.

"Terming it as interviewing parents is incorrect. We just try and relate to them on a personal level. This gives us an insight into the kind of background the child comes from," says Chaudhary.