Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) are government-run schools that have long been popular among parents. Recently, however, they are seeing fewer enrolments due to various reforms and changes in admission rules. Factors such as the removal of discretionary quotas, stricter transfer policies, and competition from private schools are altering the enrolment patterns in these institutions.

According to official data provided by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in July 2025, the number of new enrolments in KVs has fallen sharply in recent years. In the academic year 2020-21, KVs reported 1,95,081 new admissions. That number dropped to 1,39,660 in 2024-25, marking the lowest figure in five years. The total student body has also decreased from 14,29,434 in 2021-22 to 13,50,518 in 2024-25. Currently, there are 1,256 operational KVs, including three branches overseas in Moscow, Kathmandu, and Tehran, with nearly 13.56 lakh students enrolled. Despite the decline, the government is working to expand the network. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the opening of 85 new PM Shri Kendriya Vidyalayas and one expansion in Karnataka’s Shivamogga district.

Officials from Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) point to corrective measures aimed at reducing overcrowding in classrooms as one reason for the drop in admissions. In the past, excess admissions through special quotas led to high student loads in each class. Following the guidelines of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, actions were taken to improve the student-teacher ratio. “The classrooms were overcrowded earlier due to over-admission; therefore, some corrective measures were taken based on the recommendations. KVs needed to improve and maintain the student-teacher ratio, and the numbers are now balanced,” a KVS official explained.

A significant change occurred in 2022 when the government introduced a lottery-based admission process for class I, replacing the previous system that allowed large numbers of children in through various special quotas. Before this reform, Members of Parliament (MPs) could recommend admission for up to 10 children, district magistrates could recommend 17 students, and nearly 100 students were admitted through other quotas. These included children of Ministry of Education employees, children and grandchildren of MPs, grandchildren of KV employees, and even children of school management committee chairpersons. The removal of these quotas has significantly decreased the number of extra admissions, leaving only the standard intake of 40-45 students per class as set by CBSE.

Education experts note that while the new procedure promotes fairness and uniformity, it has also limited the flexibility that once allowed KVs to accept more students. “There used to be some percentage reserved for special quotas, which helped more children join Kendriya Vidyalayas in various ways. Otherwise, the standard intake is 40-45 for registrations in class IX and above. That number for regular admissions hasn’t decreased. The extra admissions, like the KVS grandchild quota and minister’s quota, have all been removed,” said Mumbai-based educationist Aruna Bhalla.

In addition to quota changes, other factors have also contributed to the decline. One major issue is the change in admission age for class I. According to the revised policy, children must be six years old to enter class I. Many parents prefer to provide continuity in education, enrolling their kids in private schools from nursery and kindergarten, which KVs do not offer. By the time a child turns six, parents are often hesitant to switch to a new school and prefer to keep them in the same private institution.

The growing focus among parents on preparing for competitive exams like JEE and NEET has also impacted KV enrolments. Although KVs provide a broad curriculum aimed at holistic development, some parents prefer private schools that focus on coaching and exam preparation starting in class IX. Despite initiatives like “Saathi” and IIT-prep programs in certain KVs, the trend of parents seeking dedicated coaching-focused schools remains strong.

Infrastructure has become another important factor for parents. While KVs maintain consistent educational standards across cities and smaller towns, parents with greater financial means often choose private schools that offer modern facilities and quicker infrastructure improvements. “Many parents prefer to enrol their children in affordable schools, while some choose private schools that provide better infrastructure. Most KVs have not been able to upgrade their infrastructure at the same rate. Parents with higher paying capacity have elevated expectations from schools,” said Indramani Upadhyay, a teacher at PM Shri KV CRPF.

The restrictions on transfer admissions have added to the challenges. KVs used to be a popular choice for central and state government employees who frequently moved, as their children could easily transfer between schools. However, the new guidelines limit transfer admissions to specific categories. For example, state government employees no longer qualify, and only those who have transferred at least once in the past seven years are considered “transferable.” This change has deterred many families from choosing KVs, leading them to prefer private schools that offer more stability.

Despite these challenges, KVs continue to attract a high volume of applications, especially for class I. In the current academic year, the schools received between 7.5 and 8 lakh online applications for admission. However, with admissions decided by a lottery system and capped at a certain number per class, only a small portion of these applicants gain admission.

The decline in enrolment numbers reflects the shifting preferences for schools across India. While KVs remain appreciated for their affordable education, consistent academic quality, and government support, changing parental expectations, policy reforms, and increasing competition from private schools are reshaping their role in the nation’s educational landscape.