DDIndia
India’s education network continues to expand its footprint from bustling urban centers to remote rural regions through the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS). Together, these two pillars under the Ministry of Education are reshaping the learning landscape, ensuring quality and equity for over 16.5 lakh students nationwide.
Expanding Reach and Impact
As of October 2025, India has 1,290 Kendriya Vidyalayas and 662 operational Navodaya Vidyalayas, with the government approving the opening of 57 new KVs over the next nine years. This initiative, with an investment of ₹5,862.55 crore, strengthens access to education in underserved districts. Meanwhile, NVS continues to bridge the rural-urban divide with residential schools offering free, quality education to talented rural children.
Budget Boosts for Balanced Growth
The Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti receives robust financial backing, including ₹5,370.79 crore as Grant-in-Aid for 2024–25, complemented by internal receipts and opening balances that bring total resources to over ₹6,000 crore. This funding sustains infrastructure, residential operations, and digital transformation in rural campuses. KVS, likewise, benefits from Union Government support to expand and modernize its nationwide network.
Driving Digital Transformation
In 2025, both systems are making bold strides in digital education.
KVS reports that 90% of its schools now feature smart classrooms, AI-driven learning tools, and virtual labs through the DIKSHA platform. Similarly, NVS integrates 9,417 smart classrooms, 26,000+ desktops, and 312 digital language labs under the PM SHRI and CBSE CSR projects, ensuring rural students enjoy the same tech-enabled learning as their urban peers.
PM SHRI Schools: Models of NEP 2020
Under the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme, 913 KVs and 620 NVs are upgraded as model schools aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. With ₹27,360 crore allocated for 2022–27, this initiative promotes holistic learning, sustainable infrastructure, and multidisciplinary education. These schools serve as innovation hubs and mentorship models for nearby institutions, driving India toward a more inclusive, future-ready education system.
Early Learning and Foundational Literacy
In line with NEP 2020’s 5+3+3+4 structure, KVS pioneers early childhood education through the Balvatika programme, active in 505 schools and expanding to new campuses approved in 2025. Each new KV will host three levels of Balvatika, catering to over 13,000 young learners. NVS complements this effort by integrating foundational and remedial learning at entry levels, helping bridge early learning gaps for rural students.
A Unified Vision for the Future
The joint progress of KVS and NVS underscores India’s commitment to building an equitable education ecosystem — one that merges urban innovation with rural inclusion. With expanding digital access, new schools, and policy-driven excellence under NEP 2020, India’s central education institutions continue to empower young minds, shaping a generation prepared for a knowledge-driven and globally connected future.