NEW DELHI, Dec 6: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday has approved the establishment of 28 new Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVs) in districts that were previously uncovered by the scheme. This initiative is designed to extend quality modern education to talented rural students across the country, including several districts in the Northeast.
The newly announced Navodaya Vidyalayas will be set up in various states, with specific focus on Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Manipur. In Arunachal Pradesh, NVs will be established in Upper Subansiri, Kra Daadi, Lepa Rada, Lower Siang, Lohit, Pakke-Kessang, Shi-Yomi, and Siang districts. In Assam, the new schools will be located in Sonitpur, Charaideo, Hojai, Majuli, West Karbi Anglong, and South Salmara-Mankachar. Manipur will see NVs in Thoubal, Kangpokpi, and Noney.
The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs 2,359.82 crore over the five-year period from 2024 to 2029, with Rs 1,944.19 crore earmarked for capital expenditure and Rs 415.63 crore for operational expenses. Each Navodaya Vidyalaya will be a fully residential co-educational school with a capacity to accommodate 560 students, directly benefiting 15,680 students across the 28 new institutions.
The initiative will also create 1,316 permanent jobs, with each NV requiring 47 personnel. Additionally, the infrastructure development will generate employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled workers. As each school will be residential, it will also stimulate local economies by creating demand for vendors and service providers for essential needs such as food, furniture, teaching materials, and maintenance services.
Admissions to the Navodaya Vidyalayas will continue to be merit-based, through a national selection test, ensuring equitable access for talented students regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds. Currently, 42% of NV students are girls, with notable enrolment from marginalized communities, including Scheduled Castes (24%), Scheduled Tribes (20%), and Other Backward Classes (39%).
The expansion of the Navodaya Vidyalaya scheme aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, as many NVs are designated as PM SHRI Schools, which serve as model institutions for implementing the NEP’s vision. The students of NVs have consistently excelled academically and professionally, performing well in CBSE board exams and achieving success in fields such as engineering, medicine, civil services, and the armed forces.
