Cabinet approves opening of 85 new Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) under civil/defence sector across the country

PIB, Delhi, 06 DEC 2024 : The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the opening of 85 new Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) under the Civil/Defence sector across the country and the expansion of one existing KV, i.e., KV Shivamogga, District Shivamogga, Karnataka, to facilitate an increased number of Central Government employees by adding two additional sections in all classes under the Kendriya Vidyalaya Scheme (Central Sector Scheme). The list of these 86 KVs is annexed.

Andhra Pradesh (9), Assam (1), Chhattisgarh (4), Gujarat (3), Himachal Pradesh (4), Jammu & Kashmir (UT) (13), Jharkhand (2), Karnataka (3), Kerala (1), Madhya Pradesh (11), Maharashtra (3), NCT of Delhi (UT) (1), Odisha (8), Rajasthan (9), Tamil Nadu (2), Tripura (2), Uttar Pradesh (5), and Uttarakhand (4). The total estimated requirement of funds for the establishment of the 85 new KVs and the expansion of one existing KV is Rs. 5872.08 crore (approx.), spread over eight years from 2025-26. This includes a capital expenditure component of Rs. 2862.71 crore (approx.) and an operational expenditure of Rs. 3009.37 crore (approx.).

As of now, there are 1256 functional KVs, including three abroad (Moscow, Kathmandu, and Tehran), and a total of approximately 13.56 lakh students are studying in these KVs.

The administrative structure for implementing the project will require the creation of posts as per the norms fixed by the Sangathan for running one fully-fledged KV with a capacity of approximately 960 students. Hence, 960 x 86 = 82,560 students would benefit. As per the existing norms, a fully-fledged Kendriya Vidyalaya provides employment to 63 persons. Accordingly, the approval of 85 new KVs and the expansion of one existing KV, which will add 33 new posts, will create a total of 5,388 direct permanent employment opportunities. Construction and allied activities associated with the augmentation of various facilities in all KVs are likely to generate employment opportunities for many skilled and unskilled workers.

The Government of India approved the Scheme of Kendriya Vidyalayas in November 1962 to provide educational facilities of uniform standard throughout the country for the children of transferable Central Government/Defence employees. Consequently, the “Central Schools Organization” was started as a unit of the Ministry of Education of the Government of India. Initially, 20 regimental schools in Defence Stations were taken over as Central Schools during the academic year 1963-64.

Kendriya Vidyalayas are primarily opened to cater to the educational needs of the wards of transferable and non-transferable employees of the Central Government, including Defence and Paramilitary forces, as well as for children of the floating population and others, including those living in remote and undeveloped locations in the country.

In pursuance of the National Education Policy 2020, almost all Kendriya Vidyalayas have been designated as PM Shri Schools, showcasing the implementation of NEP 2020 and acting as exemplar schools for others. KVs are among the most sought-after schools due to their quality teaching, innovative pedagogy, and up-to-date infrastructure. There has been a continuous increase in the number of students applying for admission to Class I in KVs every year, and the performance of students in Kendriya Vidyalayas in board examinations conducted by CBSE has consistently been the best among all educational systems.