The Union Cabinet today approved the opening of 85 new Kendriya Vidyalayas, 13 of them in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir; and 28 new Navodaya Vidyalayas.
The decision to open new KVs and NVs was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
Of 13 new KVs allotted to J&K, 10 are in Jammu division and three in the Kashmir division.
The KVs given to the Jammu region are Gool and Ramban (Ramban district), Bani and Ramkote (Kathua district), Reasi and Kakriyal Katra (Reasi district), Mughal Maidan (Kishtwar), Gulpur (Poonch), Vijaypur (Samba) and Panchari (Udhampur).
Three KVs sanctioned in the Kashmir valley include Drugmulla (Kupwara), and Ratnipora and Galander Chandhara (Pulwama).
However, no new Navodaya Vidyalaya has been given to Jammu and Kashmir.
Significantly, Jammu and Kashmir got highest number of 13 KVs among all States and Union Territories across the country.
The opening of these new Kendriya Vidyalayas will provide an opportunity for over 82,000 students to receive affordable and high-quality education across the country, the officials said, adding the total estimated requirement of funds for the establishment of the 85 new Kendriya Vidyalayas and the expansion of one existing Kendriya Vidyalaya is Rs 5,872.08 crore spread over a period of eight years from 2025-26
As of date, there are 1,256 functional Kendriya Vidyalayas, including three abroad — Moscow, Kathmandu and Tehran — and 13.56 lakh students are studying in these schools, an official statement said. A total of 5388 direct permanent employment opportunities will be created with the opening of new KVs.
The Government of India had 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, “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.
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. The KVs are some of the most sought after schools, due to their quality teaching, innovative pedagogy and up-to-date infrastructure. There has been continuous increase in the number of students applying for admission to class I in KVs every year and the performance of the students of the Kendriya Vidyalayas in the board examinations conducted by CBSE has consistently been the best among all educational systems,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh has expressed thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sanctioning of KVs in J&K
“Thanks PM Narendra Modi for giving special consideration to Jammu and Kashmir. Union Cabinet approves 13 new Kendriya Vidyalayas for different locations across J&K, out of which over 50% fall in Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency,” Dr Jitendra Singh wrote on X
