Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test (JNVST) 2026: Your Comprehensive Guide to Admission in Class VI

The dream of quality education, especially for talented children from rural areas, finds a vibrant reality in the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs). These unique residential schools, established by the Government of India, offer an unparalleled educational experience designed to nurture young minds and prepare them for a bright future. If you’re a parent or a student aspiring for admission to Class VI in a JNV for the academic session 2026-27, the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test (JNVST) 2026 is your gateway.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about JNVST 2026, from understanding the JNV system to navigating the application process, preparing for the test, and what to expect after selection.

1. What are Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs)? Mission, Features, and Fee Structure

Established in accordance with the National Policy of Education (1986), Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas are a testament to India’s commitment to providing equitable and excellent education. Administered and fully financed by the Government of India through the autonomous Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, JNVs are co-educational residential schools spread across 27 States and 08 Union Territories, with 654 functional Vidyalayas.

Key Features that Set JNVs Apart:

• Residential & Co-educational: JNVs provide a holistic learning environment where students live, learn, and grow together, fostering a strong sense of community and discipline.
• Quality Modern Education: The curriculum emphasizes not just academics but also cultural development, inculcation of values, environmental awareness, adventure activities, and physical education.
• Language Proficiency: The medium of instruction is the mother tongue or regional language up to Class VIII, transitioning to English for Mathematics and Science, and Hindi for Social Science thereafter. A key objective is to ensure students attain a reasonable level of competency in three languages.
• National Integration: JNVs actively promote national integration through a unique migration policy, where Class IX students may migrate for one academic year between Hindi-speaking and Non-Hindi-speaking states.
• CBSE Affiliation: Students of JNVs appear for the board examinations of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), ensuring a nationally recognized standard of education.
• District Focal Points: JNVs aim to serve as focal points for improving the quality of school education in their respective districts by sharing experiences and facilities.

Fee Structure – Mostly Free!

One of the most appealing aspects of JNVs is that education, including board and lodging, uniform, and textbooks, is completely free for the vast majority of students. However, a nominal sum towards Vidyalaya Vikas Nidhi (VVN) is collected only from students of Classes IX to XII.

VVN Exemptions and Special Cases:

• Exempted Categories: Students belonging to SC/ST categories, Divyang (differently-abled) students, all Girl students, and students whose family income is below the poverty line (BPL) are exempted from VVN payment.
• Government Employees’ Wards: For wards of Government employees (other than the exempted categories mentioned above), VVN will be charged at Rs. 1500/- per month or the actual Children Education Allowance received by the parent per month, whichever is less. However, this amount shall not be less than Rs. 600/- per student per month.

2. JNVST 2026-27: Key Dates and Phases

The Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test (JNVST) is a highly anticipated examination. For admission to Class VI for the academic session 2026-27, it’s crucial to mark these important dates:

• Last Date to Apply Online:29th July 2025
  • Pro Tip: Do not wait until the last minute to apply! Technical glitches or last-minute document issues can cause significant stress.

The JNV Selection Test 2026 will be conducted in two distinct phases:

• Phase 1 Examination:
  • Date: Saturday, 13th December 2025
  • Time: 11:30 A.M.
  • Applicable States/UTs: Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh (except Dibang Valley & Tawang Districts), Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh (except Chamba, Kinnaur, Mandi, Sirmour, Kullu, Lahaul & Spiti, Solan and Shimla Districts), Jharkhand, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tripura, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand & West Bengal (except Darjeeling), Union Territories of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadar & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Delhi, Lakshadweep and Puducherry.
• Phase 2 Examination:
  • Date: Saturday, 11th April 2026
  • Time: 11:30 A.M.
  • Applicable States/UTs: Jammu and Kashmir (except Jammu-I, Jammu-II, Samba & Udhampur), Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and in the Districts of Dibang Valley and Tawang of Arunachal Pradesh, in the Districts of Chamba, Kinnaur, Mandi, Sirmour, Kullu, Lahaul & Spiti, Solan and Shimla of Himachal Pradesh, in the District of Darjeeling of West Bengal, and Leh & Kargil districts of UT Ladakh.

Result Announcement:

• Summer Bound JNVs: Expected by end of March 2026.
• Winter Bound JNVs: Expected by May 2026.

Results will be accessible on the application portal and displayed at various offices including the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, District Education Officer, District Magistrate, and Deputy Commissioner, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti of the Region. Provisionally selected candidates will also be informed telephonically and via speed post by the concerned JNV Principal.

3. Eligibility Criteria for JNVST Class VI: Who Can Apply?

Meeting the eligibility criteria is paramount for a successful application. Pay close attention to these requirements:

• Age Limit: A candidate seeking admission must have been born between 01-05-2014 and 31-07-2016 (both dates inclusive). A valid birth certificate issued by a Government authority will be required at the time of admission.
• Study Status (Class V):
  • The candidate must be studying in Class V for the whole academic session 2025-26 in a Government/Government aided/recognized school.
  • The school must be located in the same district where the candidate is seeking admission to the JNV.
  • Candidates who have already passed Class V before the session 2025-26 or are repeating Class V are NOT allowed to apply. NVS has mechanisms to identify repeaters, and such candidatures will be cancelled.
• NIOS Candidates: Candidates passing the ‘B’ certificate competency course of the National Institute of Open Schooling are also eligible, provided they are in the prescribed age group and have obtained the ‘B’ certificate on or before 15th September 2025.
• District Residency: Only bonafide resident candidates from the district where the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya is located are eligible to apply. A valid residential proof of the parent from the same district (where the candidate studied Class V and applied for JNVST) is mandatory.
• No Second Attempt: A candidate is not eligible to apply for the selection test for the second time under any circumstances. Any attempt to do so will lead to cancellation of candidature.

4. How to Apply Online for JNVST 2026: Registration Process and Required Documents

The application process for JNVST 2026 has been streamlined and made completely online and free of cost.

• Official Website: Visit the admission portal of NVS linked through www.navodaya.gov.in.
• Read the Prospectus: Before starting, carefully read the entire notification cum prospectus available on the website to ensure you meet all eligibility criteria.
• Documents to Prepare (Soft Copies): Keep the following documents ready in JPG format, with a size between 10 KB to 100 KB:
  • Recent Photograph of the candidate.
  • Signature of the parent.
  • Signature of the candidate.
  • Aadhaar details or Residence certificate issued by a competent Government authority.
• Information to Fill: Be ready to provide basic details such as your State, District, Block, Aadhaar number, APAAR ID, and PEN number. While APAAR ID is beneficial for syncing study details, it’s not mandatory.
• Accuracy is Key: Fill all information with utmost care. False or incorrect information, even if discovered after provisional selection, will lead to the cancellation of candidature, and NVS reserves the right to recover expenses incurred.
• Help Desk Facility: For assistance with the online application process, help desks are available at all Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas. Parents can visit these desks with the candidate and required documents (photograph, signatures, mobile phone with active number for OTP) for free assistance.
• Rural/Urban Status: It’s crucial to correctly identify the rural or urban status of the school(s) where the candidate studied Classes III, IV, and V. This status is determined by Government notifications. If a candidate studied in an urban area for even a single day in Classes III, IV, or V, they will be considered an urban candidate.

5. Understanding the JNVST Exam Pattern: Sections, Marks, and Marking Scheme

The JNVST is a two-hour objective-type test designed to assess a candidate’s mental ability, arithmetic skills, and language comprehension.

• Test Duration: 11:30 AM to 01:30 PM (2 hours).
• Total Questions: 80
• Total Marks: 100
• Question Type: All questions are objective type.
• Special Provision: Divyang (differently-abled) students will be allowed an additional 40 minutes.

Here’s a breakdown of the test composition:

Important Instructions for the Test:

• OMR Sheet: A separate OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) answer sheet will be provided. Candidates must use only Blue/Black Ball Point Pen to mark their answers. Use of pencil is strictly prohibited.
• No Corrections: No changes (striking, applying white/correction fluid, erasing) are allowed on the OMR sheet. Such answers will not be evaluated.
• Marking Scheme: Each correct answer fetches 1.25 marks.
• No Negative Marking: There is no penalty for incorrect answers, so candidates should attempt all questions.
• Minimum Qualifying Marks: Candidates must secure minimum qualifying marks in each of the three sections: 14 marks in Mental Ability, 07 marks in Arithmetic, and 07 marks in Language.
• Tie-Breaking Criteria: In case of a tie in total marks between two or more candidates, the following order of preference will be applied:
  1. Higher marks in Mental Ability Test.
  2. If Mental Ability marks are equal, higher marks in Arithmetic.
  3. If both are equal, higher marks in Language.
  4. ST candidate over SC.
  5. SC candidate over General & OBC.
  6. OBC candidate over General.
  7. Girl candidate over boy.
  8. Younger candidate (considered to have better IQ level).

6. Reservation Policy in JNVs: Ensuring Inclusive Opportunities

JNVs are committed to inclusive education, with specific reservation policies to ensure opportunities for diverse groups:

• Rural Quota: A significant emphasis is placed on rural talent. At least 75% of the seats in a district are reserved for candidates provisionally selected from rural areas of that district. The remaining seats are open and filled on merit from both urban and rural candidates. To qualify under the rural quota, a candidate must have studied Classes III, IV, and V for the full academic session in Government/Government aided/recognized schools located in a rural area of the same district.
• Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST): Reservation is provided in proportion to their population in the concerned district. However, this reservation will not be less than the national average (15% for SC and 7.5% for ST) and is subject to a maximum of 50% for both categories combined.
• Other Backward Classes (OBC): A 27% reservation is provided for OBC students, over and above the SC and ST reservations. It is critical to note that only OBC candidates whose category is listed under the CENTRAL OBC LIST as released by the Government of India will be considered for this reservation. State OBC categories not on the Central List will be treated as General category candidates.
• Girls: A minimum of one-third of the total seats are filled by girls. Girls may be preferred over boys to ensure this criterion is met.
• Divyang Children: There is a provision for reservation for Divyang children (i.e., Orthopedically Handicapped, Hearing Impaired, and Visually Handicapped, Acid Attack Victims, and Dwarfism) as per Government of India norms. Candidates must produce a medical certificate from the Chief Medical Officer of the district.
• Transgender Candidates: No separate reservation is provided for transgender candidates. They will be included in the Boys category for reservation purposes under various sub-categories (Rural, Urban, OBC, SC, ST, and Divyang).

7. Post-Selection Process and Document Verification: The Final Steps

Being provisionally selected in the JNVST is a significant achievement, but it does not automatically guarantee admission. The selection is provisional and contingent upon the successful verification of all required original documents.

• Provisional Selection: Candidates provisionally selected must understand that their admission is confirmed only after all documents are verified by the respective JNV.
• Document Verification: At the time of seeking actual admission, parents/guardians will need to produce the following original certificates for verification:
  • Proof for Date of Birth: Copy of Birth Certificate issued by a competent Government Authority.
  • Eligibility Proofs: As per NVS conditions.
  • Rural Quota Certificate: For rural candidates, a certificate from the competent authority confirming that the child studied Classes III, IV, and V in a rural institution/school.
  • Residence Certificate: Valid residential proof of the parent from the same district where the JNV is located and where the candidate studied Class V.
  • Aadhaar Card: Copy of the candidate’s Aadhaar Card. If Aadhaar is not yet assigned, provisional registration is allowed with a residence certificate, but the Aadhaar card will be required at the time of admission.
  • Head Master’s Certificate: A certificate from the Head Master of the school detailing study in Classes III, IV, and V.
  • Medical Fitness Certificate: From a competent medical authority.
  • Undertaking for Migration: An undertaking regarding the migration policy for Class IX students.
  • Disability Certificate: If applicable, issued by a competent authority.
  • Category/Community Certificate (SC/ST/OBC): If applicable. For OBC, it must be as per the prescribed format of the Central List.
• Transfer Certificate (TC): Candidates are advised to apply for the TC from their parent school only after the verification of documents and confirmation of admission by the respective JNV. The TC must be counter-signed by the District Education Authorities (DEO/BEO).
• No Shifting: Provisionally selected candidates will be admitted only to the JNV located in the district from where they are residing and studying in Class V. Requests for shifting students based on medium of instruction, parental relocation, or any other reason will not be entertained.
• Migration Policy (Class IX): Be aware that under the NVS scheme, students from Hindi-speaking states may be migrated to Non-Hindi-speaking states (and vice-versa) for one academic year when promoted to Class IX. Refusal to migrate will result in non-continuation in the JNV.

8. Important Notes and Cautions for Applicants

• Thorough Reading: Always refer to the official JNVST prospectus for the most accurate and detailed information. This blog post is a guide, but the prospectus is the definitive source.
• Accuracy of Information: Any false, incorrect, or mismatched information provided in the online application form, even if discovered after provisional selection, will lead to the cancellation of candidature. The Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti’s decision in such matters is final, and they reserve the right to recover any expenditure incurred on the student.
• Aadhaar Validation: The information submitted will be validated using the Aadhaar number from the Government portal. Ensure your Aadhaar details are accurate and match the information provided in the application.
• No Re-evaluation: There is no provision for re-evaluation of answer scripts or re-totaling of marks. The results are processed through a computer system with multiple checks for accuracy.
• Application Rejection: Incomplete application forms or those with blank columns will be rejected. Ensure all prescribed requirements regarding education, age, categories (SC/ST/OBC/Divyang), and area (Urban/Rural) are fulfilled.

The Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya system offers a golden opportunity for bright young minds, particularly from rural backgrounds, to access high-quality education free of cost. By understanding the process, adhering to the guidelines, and preparing diligently, you can significantly enhance your chances of securing a coveted spot in a JNV.

Don’t miss this opportunity! For the complete prospectus, detailed instructions, and to apply online, visit the official website: www.navodaya.gov.in. Start your journey towards a brighter future today!