KV Admissions Fall by 28% in Five Years Despite NEP Push for Access; Enrolment Declines in Andhra, UP

As NEP 2020 completes five years, new student enrolments in Kendriya Vidyalayas drop from 1.95 lakh in 2020–21 to 1.39 lakh in 2024–25; overall student strength also down by 37,000.

Five years after the launch of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which promised enhanced access and equity in school education, enrolment in the country’s flagship central school system—Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs)—has declined both in terms of new admissions and total student strength.

According to data shared by the Ministry of Education in the Lok Sabha, the number of new students enrolled in KVs fell from 1,95,081 in 2020–21 to 1,39,660 in 2024–25, marking a sharp 28% drop in fresh admissions over the five-year period. The total number of students studying in these schools also dipped from 13.87 lakh to 13.50 lakh in the same timeframe—a net decline of over 37,000 students.

Decline in Key States: Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh

The downward trend is mirrored in major states like Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, where KVs have seen consistent reductions in new enrolments.

Andhra Pradesh:

New admissions down by 32%, total strength down by over 3,000 students.

Uttar Pradesh:

New enrolments declined by 36%, total strength dipped by around 8,000.

Over 1,200 KVs Functional, 85 New Sanctioned

Despite the falling numbers, the government said that a total of 1,280 KVs are currently operational across India, including 125 in Uttar Pradesh, 78 in Rajasthan, 41 in Jharkhand, and 37 in Andhra Pradesh.

To improve access, 85 new KVs were approved in December 2024, including several in Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and Tamil Nadu, with an estimated investment of ₹5,872 crore. This includes a capital expenditure of ₹2,862 crore and operational costs of ₹3,009 crore.

"Opening of new KVs is a continuous process... and not based on constituency or district-wise demand," the Ministry said, referring to norms available on the KVS website.

Budget and PM SHRI Support

The government has steadily increased the annual allocation to Kendriya Vidyalayas, from ₹6,437 crore in 2020–21 to ₹8,727 crore in 2024–25. Additionally, select KVs under the PM SHRI Scheme have received infrastructure upgrades such as smart classrooms and ICT labs.

NEP 2020: Five Years Later

On its fifth anniversary, the NEP 2020’s goals of equity and access in school education are under scrutiny, with the decline in KV admissions raising questions about the reach of central institutions. While KVs remain a preferred choice for many parents, especially those in transferable government services, the dip in enrolments suggests that capacity constraints, shifting demographics, and rising private alternatives may be influencing the trend.