Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya

Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) was established by the Government of India in 1985. Presently, around 661 JNVs are functioning across various districts nationwide. Each year, the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) admits a specified number of students to these schools through the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test (JNVST), a competitive entrance exam. For students aspiring to gain admission through JNVST, practicing the question papers for Class 6 and 9 is essential. At PNSP, you can access and practice all previous years' question papers to enhance your preparation.

PM SHRI Schools Initiative

The name of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) has not changed, but the schools are part of the PM SHRI Schools Initiative. The PM SHRI Schools Initiative aims to improve the quality of teaching and create well-rounded students with 21st century skills.

History of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya

In 1986, then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi introduced the National Policy on Education with the aim of modernizing and expanding higher education programs across India. As part of this initiative, he established the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) system, a central government-run institution that provides free, residential education to students from rural areas for grades six to twelve. According to the government’s policy, one JNV was to be set up in each district of the country. The first two JNVs were established in 1985–86 in Jhajjar (Haryana) and Amravati (Maharashtra). By the 2022-23 academic year, JNVs had been approved for 638 districts. Additionally, ten JNVs were sanctioned in districts with a significant Scheduled Tribe (ST) population, another ten in districts with a large Scheduled Caste (SC) population, and three special JNVs in Manipur and Ratlam. This brings the total number of sanctioned JNVs to 661, of which 649 are currently operational.

The history of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) dates back to 1986 when the National Policy on Education (NPE) envisioned setting up a system of residential schools to provide quality education to talented children, predominantly from rural areas, regardless of their socioeconomic background. The idea behind establishing JNVs was to identify and nurture gifted students in rural parts of India by offering them access to top-notch education. Key highlights of JNV history: Foundation (1985): The first JNV was established in 1985 as part of an experimental project under the NPE of 1986. It aimed to provide free, high-quality education from grades 6 to 12. This initiative was driven by the belief that talented children, particularly in rural India, deserved the same educational opportunities as their urban counterparts. Expansion: Following the success of the initial schools, the program was expanded across the country. Today, there are around 661 JNVs operating in almost all districts of India. Objective: The core objective of JNVs is to provide an excellent education with a strong emphasis on the overall development of students, covering academic, cultural, and physical growth. These schools focus on inclusive education, allowing students from rural areas to excel in competitive exams and build successful careers. Admissions: The entrance process for JNVs is based on a merit system through the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test (JNVST), ensuring that students from various regions, particularly rural areas, have equal opportunities for admission. Social Inclusivity: The schools promote social justice by reserving seats for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and students from other underrepresented sections of society. They also emphasize diversity and national integration by encouraging students from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds to interact and live together in a residential setting. JNVs have become a successful model for quality rural education and continue to produce students who excel in various fields, including academics, sports, and extracurricular activities.

Organisational structure

Navodaya Vidyalayas are administered by the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education (MoE), previously known as the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) from 1985 to 2020, within the Department of School Education and Literacy, Government of India. The Minister of Education serves as the Chairman of the Samiti, which operates through an Executive Committee under the Minister's leadership. The Executive Committee manages all affairs of the Samiti, including the allocation of funds, and has full authority to exercise all powers of the organization. It is supported by two sub-committees: the Finance Committee and the Academic Advisory Committee. The Commissioner serves as the executive head of the administration, responsible for implementing policies set by the Executive Committee. The Commissioner is assisted by Joint Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, and Assistant Commissioners at the Headquarters level. For administrative and monitoring purposes, NVS has established eight regional offices, each headed by a Deputy Commissioner and supported by Assistant Commissioners. At the individual school level, each Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) has a Vidyalaya Advisory Committee that provides guidance on academic, infrastructural, and general matters, and a Vidyalaya Management Committee responsible for budget preparation, ad-hoc teacher selection, and ensuring the smooth functioning of the school. Typically, the District Collector acts as the ex-officio Chairman of these school-level committees, with local educationists, public representatives, and district officers as members. Some schools also have a Vidyalaya Coordination Committee to oversee academic performance.