New Delhi : In a significant move to enhance educational infrastructure for the children of Central Government employees, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has sanctioned the opening of 57 new Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) across India under the civil sector. This expansion aims to meet the growing demand for quality schooling in regions with increasing numbers of government personnel.
The initiative involves a projected investment of approximately ₹5,862.55 crore over a nine-year period starting from 2026–27. Of this, around ₹2,585.52 crore is earmarked for capital expenditure, while ₹3,277.03 crore will support operational costs.
For the first time, these newly approved KVs will include Balvatikas—three years of foundational pre-primary education—aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This step reinforces the government’s commitment to early childhood education and holistic learning models.
The Kendriya Vidyalaya system, initiated in 1962, was designed to offer consistent and high-quality education to the children of transferable and non-transferable Central Government employees, including those in the armed forces. Today, the network comprises 1,288 operational schools, including three international branches in Moscow, Kathmandu, and Tehran, serving over 1.36 million students as of mid-2025.
This latest approval follows the December 2024 greenlighting of 85 new KVs, bringing the total recent additions to 142. The current batch of 57 schools includes seven sponsored by the Ministry of Home Affairs and 50 by various state and union territory administrations. Notably, 20 of these schools will be established in districts currently lacking a KV, despite having a substantial population of Central Government employees. The plan also prioritizes underserved areas, with 14 schools in Aspirational Districts, four in Left-Wing Extremism-affected regions, and five in the North Eastern and hilly zones.
The rollout will create approximately 4,617 permanent jobs, as each full-fledged KV typically employs 81 staff members. With each school designed to accommodate around 1,520 students, the initiative is expected to benefit over 86,000 learners. Additionally, the construction and operational phases are likely to generate further employment for both skilled and unskilled workers.
As part of the broader NEP 2020 implementation, 913 existing KVs have already been designated as PM SHRI schools, serving as exemplars of modern pedagogy, infrastructure, and academic excellence. The consistent rise in applications for early-grade admissions and the strong performance of KV students in national board exams underscore the system’s reputation for delivering high-quality education.
This expansion not only addresses the educational needs of government employees’ children but also strengthens national integration by ensuring equitable access to premier schooling across diverse and strategically important regions.
