Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) Admission 2025-26: Full Guide

The Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) has announced that the admission process for the 2025-26 academic session began on 7th March 2025. Known for its quality education, affordability, and structured curriculum, KV admission is a preferred choice among parents seeking excellent schooling options.

If you are planning to apply for KVS online admission, this guide will help you understand the eligibility criteria, application process, selection procedure, and important dates. Stay informed about KV admission lists, KV admission results, and key updates for 2025-26 to secure a seat for your child.
 

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KV Admission Schedule 2025-26

To ensure a smooth admission process, staying updated on the KVS online admission schedule and completing all steps on time are essential. Let us take a look at the important tentative dates:

Please Note: All admission-related lists will be displayed on the school’s website, social media, and notice board. 

Also Read | KV School Admissions: All Your Queries Answered
 

What is the Admission Process for KV Schools?

Getting admission to various classes at Kendriya Vidyalaya is discussed below.

For Class 1

The Kendriya Vidyalaya admission process for class 1 follows eligibility and priority criteria, followed by a lottery process, as set by the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan:

• Eligibility Criteria: Children must be 6 years old as of March 31 of the academic year.
• Priority Criteria: Seats are allocated based on priority categories, including Central Government employees, Armed Forces, and other eligible groups.
• Lottery Process: Admissions are finalized through the KVS admission lottery result, which is conducted separately for each category.

For Classes 2 and Above

The Kendriya Vidyalaya admission process for Classes 2 and above opens only if there are seats available. In case there are vacant seats, eligible applicants are shortlisted based on the KV admission priority system and merit, especially for non-transferrable category students.

For Class 11 

The Kendriya Vidyalaya admission process for Class 11 is dependent on several important factors, such as:

• Eligibility: Students must have passed Class 10. Admission criteria differ for KV and non-KV students.
• Stream Selection: Admission is granted based on the aggregate percentage in Class 10 exams. Science, Commerce, and Humanities streams have specific cutoffs.
• Priority Admission: KV students are given preference, and leftover seats are open to non-KV students.
• Direct Admission: Central Government employees' children often receive direct admission due to transfer cases.

Admission for Class 10 and Class 12

Fresh admission to classes 10 and 12 is only allowed on the fulfillment of the following grounds, given that there are vacant seats for admission:

• The student must be transferring from a CBSE-affiliated school.
• Students must have secured a minimum of 55% in Class 9 and Class 11 for admission to Class 10 and Class 12, respectively.
• The combinations of subjects opted for by the student are available in the concerned Kendriya Vidyalaya
• He/she should be eligible for admission as per other KVS guidelines.
   

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How to Check Eligibility for KV Admission?

Eligibility for KV admission depends on the priority list and age limit. Both are discussed below.

Priority List for KVS Admission 2025-26

As per the Kendriya Vidyalaya admission priority list, KV admission priority follows a structured hierarchy:

1. KVs Under the Civil/ Defence Sector

Kendriya Vidyalayas under the Civil/ Defence sector follow this priority list for KV admission:

1. Children of transferable and non-transferable Central government employees and children of ex-servicemen; also includes children of Foreign National officials invited to India on deputation or transfer by the Government of India
2. Children of transferable and non-transferable employees of Autonomous Bodies/ Public Sector Undertakings/ Institute of Higher Learning of the Government of India
3. Children of transferable and non-transferable State Government employees
4. Children of transferable and non-transferable employees of Autonomous Bodies/ Public Sector Undertakings/ Institute of Higher Learning of the State Governments
5. Children of Foreign Nationals residing in India; subject to seat availability after Indian Nationals

2. KVs Under Public Sector Undertakings/ Institutes of Higher Learning

Admissions to Kendriya Vidyalayas under Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and Institutes of Higher Learning largely follow the same priority system as KVs under the Civil/Defence sector. However, an additional criterion takes precedence:

Please Note: Children who previously studied in a Kendriya Vidyalaya but had to shift to another school due to a parent's transfer or posting to a location without a KV can be readmitted. If the parent is later transferred to a location with a KV, the child will be considered for admission, even over the class strength, upon providing valid proof.

3. Special Priority List for Sponsoring Employees

Admissions are first extended to:

• Children and grandchildren of employees of the Project Sector/Institutes of Higher Learning that sponsor the Vidyalaya.
• Children of project employees and postgraduate students engaged in long-term research projects.
• Children of regular Council of Wardens (COW) employees.
• Children and grandchildren of retired employees of the sponsoring organizations

Within these categories, the following order of preference is observed:

1. Children of serving employees.
2. Grandchildren of serving employees.
3. Children and grandchildren of retired employees.

After addressing the above criterion, the admission priorities align with those for KVs under the Civil/Defence sector.

Please Note: Admission preference depends on the number of parental transfers in the last 7 years.
 

Age Limit Kendriya Vidyalaya Admission 2025-26

According to the latest KV admission guidelines, the minimum age criteria for admission to Class 1 in KV Schools is 6 years as of March 31st or April 1st of the academic year in which admission is sought. 

Below are the detailed minimum and maximum age limits for KV school admissions to help parents understand the eligibility requirements.

Age Relaxation for KV Admissions

KV admissions allow for age relaxation only under the following conditions:

• Differently-Abled Children: The maximum age limit may be extended by up to two years at the Principal's discretion.
• Class XI Admissions: No age limit applies if the student is seeking admission in the same year as passing the Class X examination.
• Class XII Admissions: No age restrictions apply if there is no break in the student’s continuous study after passing Class XI.

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How to Apply Online for KV School Admissions 2025-26?

The admission process for KV schools is online for Class 1 and Balvatika 1 &3 and has already started from 7th March 2025 for the session 2025-26. Let us take a look at the admission process for various classes:

1. To apply for KV School Admissions, log in to the KVS online admission portal: kvsonlineadmission.kvs.gov.in. 
2. Locate and click on the 'Click here to register' button.
3. Click on 'Go to Next' to complete going through the instructions. 
4. Check the box below mentioning that you have gone through the instructions to enable the 'Proceed' button.
5. Fill in all required details accurately, upload the necessary documents, review the form, and then submit the application.

Please Note: Admissions for Class 1 are conducted online, while admissions for other classes are done offline.
 

Special Admissions Categories for KV Admissions 2025-26

Kendriya Vidyalayas have provisions for admitting students under special categories, ensuring inclusive education for children in unique circumstances. These admissions are made over and above the regular class strength, adhering to specific guidelines.

1. Defence and Armed Forces Personnel: Each Directorate of Education of the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard can recommend up to 6 children of defence personnel for admission annually (excluding Classes X and XII).
2. Children of KVS Employees: Wards of serving Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan employees are eligible for admission at any time of the year.
3. Wards of Central Government Employees Who Die in Harness: Admissions are granted based on pension papers or an official letter from the controlling authority.
4. Gallantry Award Recipients: Children of recipients of prestigious awards like Paramveer Chakra, Ashok Chakra, and others are given admission priority.
5. Meritorious Students in Sports and Arts: Students excelling in sports (SGFI/CBSE/National/State level) or fine arts at national or state levels are considered.
6. Single Girl Child Quota: A maximum of 2 single girl children per section in Class I and per class in Class VI onwards, including twin girls, are eligible for admission. If applications exceed the limit, admissions are based on a draw of lots.
7. Special Awards and Talents: Children who have received the National Bravery Award, Balshree Award, or recognition for exceptional talent in fine arts.
8. Children of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Employees: 60 admissions for children returning from abroad and 15 hostel admissions for children of MEA employees posted abroad.
9. Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) Employees: 15 admissions annually, with a maximum of 5 in Delhi.
10. COVID-19 Orphans (PM CARES): Up to 10 children per KV and 2 children per class under the PM CARES scheme. Fee exemptions apply for Classes I-XII.
11. Wards of Central Police Organizations (CPOs): 50 admissions for children of employees of CRPF, BSF, ITBP, and others serving in challenging environments.
12. Kashmir Migrants: Special provisions include extended admission deadlines, relaxation in cut-off percentages, and admissions above class strength.
     

Admission for Wards of Armed and Para-Military Forces 

Children of Armed Forces (Army, Air Force, Navy) and Para-Military Forces (CRPF, BSF, ITBP, SSB, CISF, NSG, and Assam Rifles) are eligible for automatic admission in Kendriya Vidyalayas based on a transfer certificate (TC) from CBSE-affiliated schools run by these organizations.

Please Note: Parents must have been transferred, retired, or posted to a non-family station or Naxal-affected area, with the family residing elsewhere. This can be availed only by direct children (not grandchildren) of defence or paramilitary personnel.
 

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Documents Required for KVS Admissions 2025-26

Here is the list of Kendriya Vidyalaya admission required documents for Class 1 and above that you need to keep ready to ensure a smooth application process:

1. Birth Certificate
2. Transfer Certificate, if applying for Class 2 or higher
3. Service Certificate, if applicable
4. Category Certificate, if applicable
5. Disability Certificate, if applicable
6. Proof of Residence

Please Note: Admission obtained using incorrect documents will be immediately cancelled, and no appeals will be considered.
 

Quotas in KV School Admissions 2025-26

For fresh admissions in Class I, the following seat reservations apply:

What Happens After Filling KV Admission Form?

The selection process for KV School Admissions usually begins after an official advertisement issued by Advertisements for Class-I online registration is issued by the Regional Office in local newspapers as per the admission schedule.

Registration Process for KV School Admissions

The registration process for KV schools is based on the availability of seats, except for admission to Class 1. Here's what the registration process for KV schools is like:

• Vacancy-Based Registration: Registration is conducted only if vacancies are available or anticipated in a specific class. If future vacancies arise, they are publicized locally and on the Vidyalaya website.
• Follow-Up Advertisements: If the initial seats remain unfilled due to fewer applicants, a second advertisement may be issued in May/June.

For Class 1, online registration is conducted via the Online Admission Portal. For other classes, forms are provided free of cost by the Principal.

Please Note: Registration alone does not guarantee admission. KV admissions results are released only after all applications are reviewed according to the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) Admission Guidelines and available vacancies.

Admission for Class 1

Admissions for class 1 in KV schools are conducted in a phased manner, starting with priority groups and moving through the following steps:

• Filling RTE Quota: 10 seats are reserved under the RTE quota. These seats are filled through a lottery system, open to children from economically weaker sections, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, BPL families, and differently-abled applicants living in the neighbourhood.
• Differently Abled Students: A lottery is conducted to admit differently-abled students across all eligible groups.
• General Admissions: After filling seats for RTE and differently-abled students, the remaining seats are allotted to children of central government employees, armed forces personnel, and other eligible applicants, based on their priority for admission.
• Reserved Quota Adjustments: The school evaluates how many reserved seats for SC, ST, and OBC-NCL remain unfilled after the first three steps. Any shortfall is addressed by admitting applicants from these groups based on their eligibility.
• Filling Remaining Vacancies: If there are still vacant seats, children from other groups, such as those from private-sector families or other applicants, are considered. Reserved seats for RTE, SC, ST, and OBC-NCL that remain unfilled are kept vacant.

Please Note: Under no circumstances will the seats reserved under the RTE quota be reallocated to other categories.

Admission for Class 2 to Class 8

The registration process for Classes 2 to 8 is as follows:

• No admission test is required for these classes.
• Admissions are granted based on a priority system.
• If the number of applicants exceeds the available seats, a lottery system will be conducted.
• The lottery applies to all applicants, including those under the Single Girl Child Quota (from Class VI onwards).

Admission for Class 9

The process for admission to Class 9 in KV schools follows this process:

• The admission process for Class IX includes an entrance test followed by a merit-based selection.
• Students must secure a minimum of 33% aggregate marks to qualify.
• A relaxed qualifying threshold of 25% aggregate marks is applicable for the SC/ST and Divyang seats
• Admissions are offered sequentially, starting from the highest-priority group to the lowest, based on their rank in the merit list.

Admission for Class 11

Admission to Class 11 in KV schools depends on the availability of seats as well as marks secured in 10th Boards. Here's what the registration process for Class 11 entails:

• The admission process for Class XI is based on merit and the availability of streams.
• Admissions are determined by marks obtained in the Class X CBSE Board Examination.
• A maximum of 55 students are admitted per stream.

Check Out | Navigating the Central School Admission Process: A Comprehensive Guide
 

Draw of Lots for KV Admissions 2025-26

A draw of lots is conducted for KV admissions whenever the number of applicants exceeds the number of seats available. Every Kendriya Vidyalaya has to constitute a committee to monitor this draw of lots, as instructed by the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, in the following manner:

Source: KVS Guidelines

An additional 6th member can be nominated by the Principal from the students of class IX to XII.
 

Fee Structure for KVS Admission 2025-26

The fee structure for Kendriya Vidyalayas is as follows:

 

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FAQS

Has KV admission started for Class 1?

KV admissions for class 1 have started from March 7th. Admissions for higher classes are to begin from 2nd April.

How can I enroll my child in Kendriya Vidyalaya?

For KVS online admission to Class 1, log in to the KVS online admission portal (kvsonlineadmission.kvs.gov.in) and fill out the application form when registrations open. For higher classes, admissions are offline and depend on seat availability. Make sure to keep the required documents ready while applying.

Is there any entrance exam for KV admission?

There is no entrance exam for KVS Class 1 admission. Entrance exams are conducted only if seeking admission to Classes 9 and 11. However, admissions for the higher classes open only if there is availability of seats.

Can civilians apply for admission to KV schools?

Yes, civilians can apply for KV school admission but they fall under the lowest priority. Civilians can apply if seats are available after admitting priority-category students (like central/state government employees and defence personnel).

Are children of private-sector employees eligible for admission to Kendriya Vidyalayas?

Yes, children of private-sector employees are eligible for KV admissions but fall under the lowest priority category. The priority structure is as follows:

1. Children of Central Government Employees
2. Children of State Government Employees
3. Children of Private-Sector Employees

Admission depends on seat availability in the respective KV school.

Will a retired central government employee’s grandchild get a seat in KVS?

Yes, grandchildren of retired central government employees can apply for KV admission, but they may not have the highest priority compared to children of serving employees; the priority generally is as follows:

1. Children of serving employees
2. Grandchildren of serving employees
3. Children and grandchildren of retired employees

To qualify for admission, you’ll need to provide valid service documents, pension papers, or an ex-serviceman certificate for consideration.

Please Note: Admission is not guaranteed and depends on seat availability and priority criteria.

Can I get admission to Kendriya Vidyalaya in the middle of the year?

Mid-year admissions are possible in Kendriya Vidyalaya but only in exceptional cases, like government job transfers or defence personnel postings. You’ll need to provide valid transfer documents and seek approval from the school. Otherwise, admissions usually happen at the beginning of the academic year.

What is the cutoff for non-KV students to get admission to Kendriya Vidyalaya?

There’s no fixed cutoff for non-KV students to get admission to Kendriya Vidyalaya, but admission depends on seat availability and merit. For Class 11, KV students get priority, and non-KV students are considered only if seats remain. Cutoffs vary based on the stream (Science, Commerce, or Humanities) and the marks obtained in Class 10.

What are the admission criteria for different classes in Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) for 2025-26?

Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) admissions for Classes 2 to 12 are based on seat availability, priority categories, and eligibility criteria. Here’s a brief overview:

Can a student transfer from one KV to another between Classes 11 and 12?

Yes, KV allows inter-school transfers, but only for valid reasons like parental job transfers, shifting to a non-family station, or special recommendations. The new KV must have vacant seats in the same stream. This space will be updated as soon as KVS releases the official notification date.

What is the fee structure at Kendriya Vidyalaya?

KV fees are affordable and the same nationwide. Generally, fees range from ₹500 to ₹1,500 per quarter, with exemptions for girls, SC/ST students, and children of defence personnel. 

What is the age limit for KV admissions?

According to the latest KV admission guidelines, the minimum age criteria for admission to Class 1 in KV Schools is 6 years as of March 31st or April 1st of the academic year in which admission is sought. The maximum and minimum age limits vary for other classes, with certain relaxations for differently-abled students.

Does KVS follow the provisions of admission under the RTE Act?

Yes, KVS follows the RTE Act provisions for admissions. In Class 1, 10 out of 40 seats per section (25%) are reserved under RTE. These seats are allotted through a lottery system from applications of SC/ST/EWS/BPL/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) and Differently-Abled students residing in the neighbourhood of the school.

What percentage of reservations is given to differently-abled candidates in KVS admissions?

KVS provides a 3% horizontal reservation for differently-abled candidates in admissions across all categories.

Is there a quota for a single girl child to get admission to KV?

Yes, KV has a Single Girl Child (SGC) quota. This quota allows for the admission of up to 2 single girl children per section in Class 1, and 1 girl child per class from Class 6 onwards is eligible. If applications exceed the limit, a lottery system is used.

What documents are required for a single girl child’s admission to Kendriya Vidyalaya?

For a Single Girl Child’s admission to Kendriya Vidyalaya, the following documents are required:

• Birth Certificate (proof of age)
• Affidavit stating that she is a Single Girl Child
• Proof of Residence (Aadhaar card, utility bill, etc.)
• General admission documents (as required by KV)
   

Conclusion

Kendriya Vidyalayas have long been a symbol of quality education, inclusivity, and affordability, offering a well-rounded curriculum that balances academics, extracurriculars, and values. KV Admission 2025-26 is a golden opportunity for parents seeking a nurturing yet structured environment for their children. 

With a transparent selection system and priority-based admissions for government and defence personnel, KVs provide stability for families with transferable jobs while ensuring holistic development at a fraction of private school costs. However, the competition for Kendriya Vidyalaya admission is intense, making it a stressful journey for many parents. 

With limited seats and high demand, many children miss out, while private schools actively pitch their guaranteed admissions—often at a steep price. Despite this challenge, for those who secure a spot, KV is more than just a school—it’s a foundation for discipline, diversity, and excellence, shaping bright futures without financial strain.

 

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Sources:

• Guidelines for Admissions in Kendriya Vidyalayas
• Kendriya Vidyalaya Admission 2025-26 Guidelines for Class 1-12 by KVS