KV student enrollment drops 28.4% in 5 years, 2025-26 funds dip sharply: Govt

The Kendriya Vidyalayas across the country saw a 28.4% drop in student enrollment and 2.7% decline in total student strength in the last five years, according to the data provided by the education ministry in a written response to the Lok Sabha. The number of students enrolled in KVs sank to 13.50 lakh in 2024-25.

Currently, 1,280 KVs are functioning across the country including 37 schools in Andhra Pradesh, 125 in Uttar Pradesh, 41 in Jharkhand and 78 in Rajasthan, Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan told the Parliament.

3,527 new students were enrolled in AP in 2024-25 session, with Visakhapatnam recording the maximum enrollments – 1,158. On the other hand, UP saw 1,4569 new enrolled students with the highest number in Kanpur – 1,435.

About proposals to construct new KVs in the country, Pradhan said that KVs are not established to serve parliamentary constituencies, districts, or geographical areas in general but rather based on educational requirements for the children of central government employees including defence and para-military personnel, central autonomous bodies, central public sector undertakings (PSUs) and central Institute of Higher Learning (IHL).

Also read Parakh Rashtriya Sarvekshan: State govt schools fall far behind; SC, ST students lag in Classes 6, 9

Ministries or departments of the central government, state government, or UT administration usually submit the proposals, with a commitment to provide suitable land and temporary accommodation.

In December 2024, the Centre approved setting up of 85 new KVs under civil or defence sector across the country and expansion of one existing KV in Karnataka’ Shivamogga by adding two additional sections in all the classes at an estimated amount of Rs 5,872.08 crore, Pradhan informed the Parliament.

In the 2024-25 financial year, the KVs received the highest fund allocation of Rs 8,727 crore so far, in the form of grants-in-aid for salary, general, and creation of capital assets. Moreover, the government has approved Rs 399.93 crore, down from Rs 590.71 crore in 2023-24, in this financial year for further strengthening or improving the infrastructure and other amenities such as ICT Labs, Science Labs, Digital Libraries, Lab equipment, Smart class rooms, LED lighting etc. in the KVs selected under the PM SHRI Scheme.

Student enrollment in KVs over last 5 years

As per information received from the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), the number of new students enrolled and the total number of students studying in the KVs in the country during the last five years are as follows: