Drop in admissions in Kendriya Vidyalayas: Govt in Lok Sabha

Comparing the 2024-25 and 2023-24 academic sessions, a clear drop of 39,042 students across the country is seen. The highest admission rate in the last five years in KVs has been in 2021-22, with 14,29,434 students enrolled.

New students enrolled

The number of new students enrolled in Kendriya Vidyalayas has seen a noticeable decline over the past five academic years. In 2020–21, admissions stood at 1,95,081, but this figure gradually fell to 1,82,846 in 2021–22 and further to 1,57,914 in 2022–23. Although there was a slight recovery in 2023–24 with 1,75,386 new enrollments, the numbers dropped sharply again in 2024–25, reaching a five-year low of 1,39,660. This downward trend indicates a consistent dip in fresh admissions, with the latest figure showing a reduction of over 55,000 students compared to 2020–21.

The Ministry also stated that the Government of India has approved the opening of 85 new KVs under the civil, defence sectors across the country in December 2024. Additionally, there will be an expansion of one existing KV Shivamogga, Karnataka, by adding two additional sections in all the classes. The total estimated cost for these initiatives is approximately Rs 5872.08 crore (approx.). The written reply stated that the construction and approval of the KVs in India is a continuous process.

New KV proposals can be initiated by Ministries or Departments of the Government of India, state governments, or Union Territory (UT) Administrations. Such proposals have to include some essential resources—like land and temporary accommodation—as per prescribed norms. Approval for establishing new KVs is subject to clearance by the competent authority, following established procedures. KVs are not opened based on the boundaries of states, UTs, Parliamentary Constituencies, or districts.

Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) are established primarily to meet the educational requirements of children of transferable Central Government employees, including those in defence and Para-military forces, central autonomous bodies, central public sector undertakings (PSUs), and central institutes of higher learning (IHLs). These schools offer a uniform curriculum nationwide to ensure continuity in education.