Scale, Reach, and Global Presence of Kendriya Vidyalayas , there were 1,256 schools named Kendriya Vidyalayas, having started with only 20 schools in the year 1963. It is one of the largest school chains in the world with 1,253 schools in
India and three operated abroad. A total of 13,70,674 students ()and 46,810 employees were on the rolls ().[https://kvsangathan.nic.in/en/ KVS has been recognized as an independent State by
Bharat Scouts & Guides Movement as around 2,49,198 students enrolled as the Scouts, Guides, Cubs and Bulbuls. Kendriya Vidyalayas are spread among 25 regions, each headed by a deputy commissioner.
International Kendriya Vidyalayas The three Kendriya Vidyalayas outside India is in
Kathmandu,
Moscow, and
Tehran situated inside Indian Embassies of these countries and their expenditures are borne by the Ministry of External Affairs. They are intended for children of Indian embassy staff and other expatriate employees of the Government of India.
Former International Schools One school in Tsimalakha,
Bhutan, was transferred to the
Bhutanese Government, thus ceasing to be a Kendriya Vidyalaya (then known as Indo-Bhutan Central School (IBCS)) in 1989, after one of the major Indo-Bhutan projects (the Chukhha Hydal power project) was near completion. Indian Government employees were gradually transferred back to their own country.
Curriculum and Languages All the schools share a common syllabus and offer bilingual instruction, in English and
Hindi. They are co-educational.
Sanskrit is taught as a compulsory subject from classes VI to VIII and as an optional subject until class XII. Students in classes VI to VIII could study the
German language until November 2014, when the scheme was discontinued. But was again recontinued and is available in some schools until class 10. In
Moscow, students are given an opportunity to choose
French or
Russian as their third or second language.
Fees and Exemptions Tuition fees are charged for Kendriya Vidyalaya students have to pay the school development fund (
Vidyalaya Vikas Nidhi), with the proceeds spent on the development of that particular school. Students from
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and children of KVS employees are exempt from tuition fees. Girls who are their parents'
only child from class VI onward are exempt from tuition and school development fund.
Cultural Practices and Morning Prayer A significant aspect of Kendriya Vidyalaya culture is the daily recitation of a common prayer during morning assemblies. This prayer, often delivered in Sanskrit or Hindi, includes the verse: "Daya kar daan vidya ka humein paramatma dena". Translation: "O God, be merciful and grant us the gift of knowledge." This ritual not only instills a sense of discipline but also reflects the educational ethos of seeking divine guidance in the pursuit of knowledge.
Admission Policies and the MP Quota KVS also had the
MP Quota which involved some special provision under which admissions are given. Members of
Lok Sabha and
Rajya Sabha could recommend a few number of students for the admission. These Special Provisions only worked in KVs located in the constituency of the MP concerned. All members of parliament could recommend up to six students from their constituency for admission to a Kendriya Vidyalaya. From the academic session 2016–17, the quota had been increased to 10 students. However, since the academic year 2022-23, all admission paths under special provisions like MP quota, quota of sponsoring agency (chairman quota) have been abolished.
Accreditation and Digital Initiatives The
Quality Council of India (QCI) has accredited three of KV schools: KV RK Puram, KV IIT Powai and KV Bhinga. The Kendriya Vidyalaya Gole Market school in
Central Delhi has earned notice for upgrading to "E-Classroom" and
e-Learning teaching processes with the implementation of Smart Boards in the classroom. This school produces an annual school magazine called
Vidyalaya Patrika.
Sports, Activities, and Academic Diversity The organisation is one of the few schools that offers all varieties in sports, games, activities and the largest scope of subjects offered by CBSE to its students. It is known for its holistic focus.
Awards and Recognition It has been recognized with many awards by Government of India including the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar in 2017 and Rajbhasha Kirti Puraskar on the occasion of Hindi Diwas in 2018–19. ==See also==