Conducted by: Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), Ministry of Education, Govt. of India | Mode: Offline (OMR)
Full Form: Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test | Exam Level: National (कक्षा 6, 9, 11 प्रवेश) | Application Fee: ₹0 (Free)
📢 Latest Notification (JNVST 2025–26)
| Event | Class 6 | Class 9 (LE) | Class 11 (LE) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notification Release | Dec 2025 | Dec 2025 | May 2026 |
| Application Start | Dec 2025 | Dec 2025 | May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | Jan 2026 | Jan 2026 | Jun 2026 |
| Admit Card | Mar 2026 | Mar 2026 | Jun 2026 |
| Exam Date | Apr 2026 | Apr 2026 | Jul 2026 |
| Result | Jun 2026 | Jun 2026 | Jul 2026 |
| Admission & Docs Verification | Jul 2026 | Jul 2026 | Aug 2026 |
🏫 About JNVs
- Residential schools, fully funded by Govt. of India; affiliated to CBSE.
- Free education, books, uniforms, lodging & boarding; medical care included.
- Focus on STEM, languages, sports, arts & culture; 650+ JNVs across India.
🎯 Eligibility Criteria
Class 6 (Main Entry)
- Studying in Class 5 (AY 2025–26) in a recognized school in the same district.
- Age: 9–13 years (final dates in notification; previous cycles ~01 May 2013 – 30 Apr 2017).
- Rural quota: Minimum 75% seats reserved for rural candidates.
- Must not have studied in any JNV of that district earlier.
Class 9 (Lateral Entry)
- Studying in Class 8 (AY 2025–26) in the concerned district.
- Age: typically 13–16 years (exact dates in notice).
- Selection via Lateral Entry Test.
Class 11 (Lateral Entry)
- Passed Class 10 from a recognized board in the concerned district.
- Streams: Science / Commerce / Humanities; seat availability varies.
- Selection on merit of Class 10 marks and/or test per NVS guidelines.
📝 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
Class 6 JNVST
- Duration: 2 hours | Total Marks: 100 | Negative Marking: None
| Section | Questions | Marks | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mental Ability Test (MAT) | 50 | 50 | Analogy, series, figure classification, mirror/water image, embedded figures |
| Arithmetic Test | 25 | 25 | Numbers, LCM/HCF, fractions, percentage, time & distance, mensuration, data handling |
| Language Test | 25 | 25 | Reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, usage |
Class 9 (Lateral Entry)
- Duration: 3 hours; Subjects: English, Hindi, Mathematics, Science.
- Syllabus: Up to Class 8 level (NCERT/State Board parity).
- Mode: Objective, OMR based.
Class 11 (Lateral Entry)
- Selection basis: Class 10 marks & stream cut-offs; seats limited, especially for Science.
📚 Syllabus Overview (Class 6)
Mental Ability (50Q)
Figure series, analogy, embedded figures, mirror/water image, pattern recognition, coding-decoding.
Arithmetic (25Q)
Number system, decimals/fractions, LCM & HCF, simplification, ratio & proportion, percentage, profit & loss, simple interest, time & work, time & distance, area & perimeter.
Language (25Q)
Reading comprehension, synonyms, antonyms, sentence formation, parts of speech, vocabulary, grammar rules.
🧾 Documents Required
- Passport size photo & signature (digital).
- Proof of date of birth (birth certificate/school record).
- Residence/study certificate (district proof).
- Caste/Category/Disability certificates (if applicable).
- School study certificate/marksheet for Class 5/8/10 as applicable.
📊 Reservation of Seats
- Rural: 75% minimum; Girls: 1/3 of seats.
- SC/ST: as per Govt. norms; Divyang (PH): 3%.
🧪 Selection Procedure
- Written Test (Class 6 & 9).
- Merit list preparation & district-wise allocation of seats.
- Document verification & medical check-up.
- Final admission into respective JNV.
🏆 Benefits of JNV Education
- Free residential schooling with CBSE curriculum.
- Modern labs, IT, sports; emphasis on all-round development.
- Strong track record in JEE, NEET, SSC, NDA, UPSC, etc.
📌 Important Instructions
- Carry Admit Card and valid ID; reach centre 45–60 mins early.
- Use black/blue ball pen; follow OMR rules; no electronics.
☎️ Contact & Helpdesk
- Official Website: navodaya.gov.in
- Helpline: 0120-2405968/69/70/71/72
- Email: nvshelpdesk@gmail.com
📊 Previous Year Trends
- Indicative cut-off (Class 6): 70–85 marks (varies by district/category).
- Competition: ~20 lakh applicants for ~50,000 seats (~1:40).
💡 Preparation Tips
- Prioritize Mental Ability (50%). Practice figures daily.
- Revise Class 5 arithmetic basics; maintain a revision notebook.
- Read a passage daily to improve comprehension.
- Attempt previous year papers within 120 minutes.
🔎 FAQs
Q1. Is JNVST application free? Yes, no fees at any stage.
Q2. Can urban students apply? Yes, but 75% seats are reserved for rural candidates.
Q3. Is there negative marking? No, only correct answers score.
Q4. Which is the main entry class? Class 6.
Q5. What if I fail document verification? Admission will be cancelled.