NE EDUCATION BUREAU
NEW DELHI, OCT 2
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday cleared the establishment of 57 new Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) across the country, a move that will benefit more than 86,000 students and create over 4,600 permanent jobs.
- ₹5,862 crore plan to expand KV network; focus on underserved, aspirational, and hilly districts
- India currently has 1,288 functional KVs, including three abroad — in Moscow, Kathmandu, and Tehran — with a total student enrolment of 13.62 lakh
- Launched in 1962, the KV scheme was designed to provide uniform, high-quality education to the children of transferable and non-transferable Central Government employees
Announcing the decision, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the expansion reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening educational access for children of Central Government employees, particularly in underserved regions.
Key Highlights of the Approval
- Funding: ₹5,862.55 crore over nine years, including ₹2,585.52 crore in capital expenditure and ₹3,277.03 crore in operational costs.
- Coverage: 17 states and UTs; 20 KVs in districts with no existing schools despite high demand, 14 in aspirational districts, 4 in Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) areas, and 5 in North-Eastern and hilly regions.
- Sponsorship: 7 schools by the Union Home Ministry, 50 by state governments and UT administrations.
- Employment: Each KV employs 81 staff members, creating 4,617 direct jobs, along with additional opportunities in construction and allied sectors.
- NEP 2020 Alignment: For the first time, all newly sanctioned KVs will include Balvatikas (three years of pre-primary), aligning with the foundational stage of the National Education Policy.
Expanding the KV Network
India currently has 1,288 functional KVs, including three abroad — in Moscow, Kathmandu, and Tehran — with a total student enrolment of 13.62 lakh. The new sanction builds on the 85 KVs approved in December 2024, continuing the Centre’s focus on equitable expansion.
An official statement noted that the proposals “reflect a strong commitment to reaching underserved and strategically important regions, ensuring balanced representation across North, South, East, and West to strengthen inclusivity and national integration.”
Legacy of KVs
Launched in 1962, the KV scheme was designed to provide uniform, high-quality education to the children of transferable and non-transferable Central Government employees, including Defence and Paramilitary forces. The network has since become one of India’s most trusted models of public schooling.
