Difference Between Kendriya Vidyalaya and Navodaya Vidyalaya

No.

Feature

Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV)

Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV / NV)

1.

Core Objective/Target

To cater to the educational needs of children of transferable Central Government employees (including Defence/Para-military personnel).

To provide quality modern education to talented children predominantly from rural areas (at least 75% seats reserved for rural students).

2.

School Type

Primarily Day School (Non-residential).

Exclusively Residential/Boarding School (Free hostel and mess facilities).

3.

Location Focus

Located across the country, primarily in Urban Areas and near Central Government/Defence establishments.

Located in Rural/District Areas across the country (usually one JNV per district).

4.

Fee Structure

Nominal fees are charged (tuition and Vidyalaya Vikas Nidhi) for classes IX to XII (boys, General/OBC). Girls, SC/ST, and all students up to Class VIII are mostly exempt.

Completely Free Education, including board, lodging, uniform, and textbooks. A very nominal fee may be charged for children of General/OBC parents above poverty line (from Class IX to XII).

5.

Entry Level

Starts from Class I (Primary) up to Class XII.

Starts from Class VI up to Class XII (no primary section).

6.

Admission Process

Admission is through a priority system for Central Govt. employees, sometimes using a lottery/draw for limited general seats in primary classes.

Admission is strictly through a highly competitive entrance test: JNV Selection Test (JNVST) for Class VI entry.

7.

Transferability

High transferability due to a uniform curriculum and school management system. Ideal for children of frequently transferred parents.

Transferability is very low, except for a mandatory, one-year Migration Scheme between JNVs in Hindi and Non-Hindi speaking areas to promote national integration.

8.

Medium of Instruction

Generally bilingual (Hindi and English).

English is the medium for Maths and Science; Hindi is the medium for Humanities.

9.

Management

Managed by the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS).

Managed by the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS).

10.

Environment

Day school environment with focus on academics and extracurricular activities during school hours.

Highly disciplined residential environment with structured schedules for study, sports, and activities.

11.

Student Diversity

Relatively diverse, but largely dominated by children of Central Government/Defence staff.

High diversity due to the migration scheme and selection process from varied rural backgrounds; focused on nurturing talent.

12.

Reservation

Follows Central Government reservation policies. Certain seats are reserved for sponsored agency staff, Defence personnel, etc.

Focuses on rural/urban quota (75% rural) and follows vertical/horizontal reservations for SC/ST/Girls/OBC/Disabled.

13.

Staff Quarters

Generally available for staff in select KVs, but not mandatory/universal.

Staff must reside on campus (mandatory for most teaching staff), which is integral to the residential system.

14.

Curriculum Focus

Standard CBSE curriculum, designed for easy transition between KVs. Emphasis on a balanced curriculum.

Standard CBSE curriculum with an added emphasis on preparing gifted rural students for competitive exams (JEE/NEET/NDA) and overall personality development.

15.

Founding Principle

Established following the recommendation of the Second Pay Commission (1962) to provide uninterrupted education to transferable staff.

Established under the National Policy on Education 1986 to nurture talented children from rural India and address social equity.