Drop in Kendriya Vidyalaya Admissions Even as New Schools Get Green Light
Admissions to Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs), one of India’s most prominent chains of central government schools, have seen a noticeable dip over the past few years, according to a recent written statement by the Ministry of Education in the Lok Sabha. Despite this decline, the government has plans to open 85 new KVs across the country by December 2024.
The information was shared in response to a parliamentary question by BK Parthasarathi (Telugu Desam Party) and Sudha R (Congress). As of now, there are 1,280 Kendriya Vidyalayas operating across India, catering to over 13.5 lakh students. However, data shows a consistent downward trend in enrollment numbers.
Admissions Slide Over Five Years
In the 2020–21 academic session, KVs had 13,87,763 students enrolled. Fast forward to 2024–25, and the number has dropped to 13,50,518 students — marking a decrease of 37,245 students or approximately 2.86%. The biggest year for total enrollment in the past five years was 2021–22, when student strength peaked at 14,29,434.
Here’s a year-wise breakdown of total student enrollment and new admissions:
| Academic Year | New Students Enrolled | Total Students Enrolled |
|---|---|---|
| 2020–21 | 1,95,081 | 13,87,763 |
| 2021–22 | 1,82,846 | 14,29,434 |
| 2022–23 | 1,57,914 | 14,24,147 |
| 2023–24 | 1,75,386 | 13,89,560 |
| 2024–25 | 1,39,660 | 13,50,518 |
What’s especially concerning is the sharp drop in fresh admissions. From nearly 2 lakh new students in 2020–21, the figure has dwindled to 1,39,660 in the current academic session — a decline of more than 55,000 over five years. The largest dip occurred between 2023–24 and 2024–25, with a drop of 39,042 students in just one year.
Government Plans 85 New KVs Despite Downturn
Interestingly, even amid this downward trend, the government is expanding its KV network. In December 2024, 85 new Kendriya Vidyalayas will be established under the civil and defence sectors across India. Additionally, the KV in Shivamogga, Karnataka, will be expanded by adding two new sections to all existing classes.
The estimated cost of this expansion plan stands at around ₹5,872 crore. The Ministry noted that setting up KVs is an ongoing initiative, aimed at addressing the demand for quality education for children of central government employees who are frequently transferred.
How Are New KVs Proposed?
New KV proposals can be initiated by central government ministries, state governments, or Union Territory administrations. However, to move forward, the proposal must include key resources such as adequate land and temporary infrastructure, in line with KV Sangathan norms. Final approval rests with the competent authority after following the necessary processes. The ministry clarified that new schools are not opened based on parliamentary constituencies, state boundaries, or district divisions.
The Purpose Behind Kendriya Vidyalayas
Kendriya Vidyalayas were originally set up to provide uniform and uninterrupted education to children of central government employees, especially those in transferable jobs, including defence and paramilitary personnel, employees of central PSUs, and other central institutions. By offering a standardised curriculum across the country, KVs help ensure that students don’t face academic disruption due to their parents’ frequent transfers.
What’s Behind the Drop?
While the government has not officially cited reasons for the declining numbers, experts and educators speculate that several factors could be at play — including a rise in alternative schooling options, changing parental preferences, or local infrastructural limitations. The steep drop in new enrollments in 2024–25 has raised concerns about how well the new KVs will be able to attract students.
As India continues to push for educational reform and inclusion, keeping a close watch on admission trends in key institutions like Kendriya Vidyalayas will be crucial — both for evaluating policy impact and for planning future expansions wisely.
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