The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the opening of 57 new Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) under the civil sector across the country. The move aims to cater to the educational needs of wards of the increasing number of Central Government employees.
The total estimated cost for setting up these 57 KVs is approximately Rs 5,862.55 crore over nine years from 2026-27. This includes Rs 2,585.52 crore for capital expenditure and Rs 3,277.03 crore for operational expenses. For the first time, these KVs will also include Balvatikas, a three-year foundational stage (pre-primary), aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The Kendriya Vidyalaya system was initiated in November 1962 to provide uniform quality education across the country for children of transferable and non-transferable Central Government employees, including those in Defence and Paramilitary forces. Currently, 1,288 KVs are operational, including three abroad in Moscow, Kathmandu, and Tehran, with a total enrollment of approximately 13.62 lakh students.
Among the 57 new schools, 7 are sponsored by the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the remaining 50 by State/UT authorities, covering 17 states and union territories. The new KVs will expand access to underserved areas, including 20 districts without any existing KV, 14 aspirational districts, 4 LWE-affected districts, and 5 in the North-East/Hilly regions.
A full-fledged KV, from Balvatika to Class XII, accommodates about 1,520 students and employs 81 staff members. With 57 new KVs, approximately 86,640 students will benefit, and 4,617 direct permanent employment opportunities will be created. Additional construction and allied work will generate jobs for skilled and unskilled workers.
Under NEP 2020, 913 KVs have been designated as PM Shri schools, serving as model institutions showcasing quality teaching, innovative pedagogy, and modern infrastructure. The new expansion ensures that quality education reaches previously underrepresented regions while reinforcing coverage in high-demand areas with a significant presence of Central Government employees.