The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the establishment of 28 Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVs) in uncovered districts under the Navodaya Vidyalaya Scheme, a Central Sector Scheme. The project, with an estimated cost of Rs 2,359.82 crore, will span five years from 2024-25 to 2028-29, comprising Rs 1,944.19 crore for capital expenditure and Rs 415.63 crore for operational costs.
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Each school, designed to accommodate 560 students, will require 47 staff members, resulting in direct employment for 1,316 individuals across the 28 NVs. Additionally, construction activities will create temporary employment for skilled and unskilled workers, while the schools’ residential nature will benefit local vendors and service providers for essentials like food, furniture, and housekeeping.
Navodaya Vidyalayas are fully residential, co-educational institutions offering modern education from Classes 6th-8th, primarily to talented rural students, irrespective of their socioeconomic background. Admissions are conducted through a selection test, with approximately 49,640 students joining Class VI annually. Currently, 661 NVs are sanctioned across India, including 20 districts with a second NV for SC/ST populations and three special NVs. Of these, 653 are operational.
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In alignment with the National Education Policy 2020, most NVs are designated as PM SHRI schools, serving as exemplary institutions for implementing NEP 2020. The schools have seen a rise in enrollment of girls (42%), as well as SC (24%), ST (20%), and OBC (39%) students, ensuring equitable access to quality education.
Navodaya Vidyalayas consistently deliver outstanding results in CBSE board exams and have produced students excelling in engineering, medicine, armed forces, and civil services, showcasing their parity with urban education systems.
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Establishment of 85 new Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs)
Furthermore, The Union Cabinet has approved an allocation of Rs 8,231 crore for what is set to be the largest expansion of central schools in a decade. This initiative includes the establishment of 85 new Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and 28 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs). Among the states and Union Territories, Jammu & Kashmir will see the highest number of new KVs with 13, while Arunachal Pradesh will receive the most new JNVs, totaling 8.
Kendriya Vidyalayas primarily cater to the children of central government and defense employees, providing quality education across the country. Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, on the other hand, are fully residential schools for students from Class 6th-8th, designed to nurture talent from rural areas.
Currently, there are 1,256 functional KVs and 653 operational JNVs, in addition to the schools newly sanctioned under this expansion plan.
