KKN Gurugram Desk | The Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) has officially started the admission process for Class 6 for the academic year 2026-27 in Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) across India. Parents wishing to enroll their children in one of India’s premier government-run residential schools can now fill out the JNVST 2026 application form online via the official portals — cbseitms.rcil.gov.in or navodaya.gov.in.

Highlights of JNV Class 6 Admission 2026

• Application Mode: Online only

• Official Websites: cbseitms.rcil.gov.in, navodaya.gov.in

• Exam Name: JNV Selection Test (JNVST) 2026

• Exam Dates: Phase 1 – December 13, 2025 | Phase 2 – April 11, 2026

• Classes Open for Admission: Class 6 (currently), later Class 9 & 11

• Number of Schools: 653 JNVs in 27 States and 8 UTs

• Total Seats for Class 6: Approx. 52,240

• Form Fee: No application fee for Class 6

What is JNV?

Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas are a network of central government residential schools under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. These schools provide quality education to talented children, primarily from rural areas, free of cost. Admissions are based on a selection test conducted annually.

JNVs are comparable to other prestigious government institutions like Kendriya Vidyalayas (KV) and Sainik Schools, but are distinct in being completely residential and merit-based.

Who Can Apply for JNV Admission 2026 (Class 6)?

To apply for admission in Class 6, students must meet the following eligibility criteria:

Age Criteria

• The child must be born between May 1, 2014 and July 31, 2016 (both dates inclusive).

• This means the candidate must be between 10 to 12 years of age as of May 1, 2026.

Educational Qualification

• The student must be currently studying in Class 5 during the 2025-26 academic session in a recognized government or government-aided school.

District Residency

• Applicants can only apply for the JNV in their district of residence.

• Students from outside districts are not eligible for that region’s JNV.

How to Apply for JNV Class 6 Admission 2026

Parents or guardians must complete the online registration by following the steps below:

Step-by-Step Registration Process

1. Visit the official admission portals:

   • navodaya.gov.in

   • cbseitms.rcil.gov.in

2. Click on the link that says “JNVST Class 6 Admission 2026”.

3. Complete the registration using valid credentials:

   • Candidate’s Name

   • Date of Birth

   • Parent/Guardian details

   • Educational qualification

4. Upload the required scanned documents:

   • Passport-size photograph

   • Candidate’s signature

   • Proof of date of birth (birth certificate)

   • Domicile certificate

   • Certificate from the school principal (studying in Class 5)

5. Review all the entered information carefully.

6. Submit the form and take a printout for future reference.

 Note: There is no application fee for Class 6 admissions. However, fee structure and submission may vary for Class 9 and 11 admissions.

JNV Selection Test (JNVST) 2026: Exam Schedule

The JNVST 2026 for Class 6 admission will be conducted in two phases, as per the region and district:

• Phase 1 Exam Date: December 13, 2025

• Phase 2 Exam Date: April 11, 2026

 The date and city for each candidate’s exam will be mentioned on the JNV Admit Card, which will be downloadable from the official website a few weeks before the test.

Seat Matrix: How Many Seats Are Available?

• Class 6: Each JNV typically has around 80 seats, totaling approx. 52,240 seats across 653 schools.

• Class 9: Around 5,753 seats, including 78 seats reserved for Divyang (Disabled) students.

• Class 11: Admissions are based on vacant seat availability, which varies by school and year.

Reservation Policy in JNV Admissions

Navodaya Vidyalayas follow a structured reservation policy to ensure equitable representation:

• 75% Seats: Reserved for candidates from rural areas

• 25% Seats: For candidates from urban areas

• Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Divyang (PWD) candidates are provided reservations as per Government of India guidelines

• Minimum one-third seats are reserved for girl students

Important Dates to Remember

Why Choose Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya?

JNVs are known for:

• Free Education (tuition, boarding, books, meals, and uniforms)

• CBSE Curriculum

• High-quality infrastructure

• Focus on all-round development (sports, academics, arts)

• Excellent success rates in board exams and competitive tests like JEE, NEET

JNVs have consistently produced top-performing students, many of whom have gone on to crack IITs, medical entrance exams, and become civil servants.

Tips for JNV Entrance Exam Preparation

• Understand the Syllabus: Focus areas include Mental Ability, Arithmetic, and Language skills.

• Practice Mock Tests: Several online platforms offer free mock exams.

• Time Management: Learn to answer within the time frame – the test is of 2 hours.

• Focus on Accuracy: Since there’s no negative marking, it’s better to attempt all questions.

Useful Links for Parents and Students

• JNV Admission Portal – cbseitms.rcil.gov.in

• Official JNV Website – navodaya.gov.in

• JNV Sample Papers and Guidelines – Direct PDF Download

• List of JNV Schools Across India

The JNV Admission 2026 process offers an excellent opportunity for deserving and talented students, especially from rural areas, to receive world-class education completely free of cost. With 653 JNVs across India and a strong track record of academic excellence, this is an opportunity no parent should overlook.

For those interested in enrolling their children into JNV for Class 6, the process is straightforward, but competitive. Early preparation and timely application are key to securing a place in one of India’s best government-run residential schools.