Getting a seat in a Kendriya Vidyalaya is one of the most sought-after goals for parents of school-going children in India. With over 1,200 KV schools spread across the country and abroad, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) offers quality CBSE-affiliated education at highly subsidized fees — making it an unmatched option for central government employees and defence personnel.
If you’re planning to apply for KVS admission 2026-27, this guide covers everything you need: important dates, eligibility criteria, the priority category system, documents required, step-by-step registration, and the most common mistakes to avoid.
For families of central government employees who frequently transfer cities, KV schools offer seamless continuity of education — the syllabus and culture remain consistent no matter which city you’re posted to. This is the core reason KV admissions remain extremely competitive every year.
KVS Admission 2026-27: Important Dates
The official notification for KVS 2026-27 admissions is expected in the first week of March 2026. Based on the previous year’s pattern (2025 admissions ran from March 7 to March 21, 2025), here are the tentative timelines:
| Event |
Tentative Date |
| Official Notification Release |
First week of March 2026 |
| Online Registration Opens (Class 1) |
March 2026 |
| Last Date for Class 1 Registration |
Third week of March 2026 |
| Class 1 First Merit/Lottery List |
March 2026 (post-deadline) |
| Admission for Classes 2–8 (offline) |
April 2026 onwards |
| Class 9 & 11 Admission (offline) |
April–May 2026 |
| Class 11 Admission (post Class 10 results) |
May–June 2026 |
Important: These dates are tentative and subject to change. Always verify from the official website: kvsonlineadmission.kvs.gov.in and kvsangathan.nic.in
Eligibility Criteria (Class 1 to 12)
Basic Requirements
To be eligible for KVS admission 2026-27, a student must:
- Be an Indian citizen
- Be a child of a central government employee, defence personnel, or KVS/NVS/Central Government Autonomous Body employee (priority-wise)
- Meet the age requirement for the class applied
Age Limits by Class
| Class |
Minimum Age |
Maximum Age |
| Class 1 |
6 years |
8 years |
| Class 2 |
6 years |
9 years |
| Class 3 |
7 years |
10 years |
| Class 9 |
13 years |
16 years |
| Class 11 & 12 |
No upper/lower age limit |
— |
Age is calculated as of March 31 of the admission year. Children with disabilities (CwSN) get a 2-year relaxation on the upper age limit for all classes.
Priority Category System Explained
KVS uses a structured priority category system to decide who gets a seat when demand exceeds supply. Understanding this system can help you determine your child’s chances before applying.
Category 1 (Highest Priority): Children of KVS employees (transferred or posted)
Category 2: Children of central government employees (including defence and ex-servicemen)
Category 3: Children of central government employees of autonomous bodies receiving 100% financial aid from the Government of India
Category 4: Children of state government employees
Category 5: Children of employees from public sector banks, government undertakings, central autonomous bodies receiving less than 100% financial aid
Category 6: Children of ex-servicemen/widows of ex-servicemen
Category 7 (General/Open): Children from any background, including private sector employees — admitted only if seats remain after the above categories
If two applicants fall in the same category, preference is given to the family that has had more transfers in the last 7 years. This is designed to prioritize families that have moved more frequently due to government postings.
Reservation and Seat Allocation
Each KV school has 40 seats per class as the standard intake. The seat distribution for Class 1 works as follows:
- 15% seats reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC) students
- 7.5% seats reserved for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students
- 27% seats reserved for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) students
- 25% seats (10 out of 40) reserved under Right to Education (RTE) for EWS/BPL/differently-abled children
- 3% seats reserved for Children with Special Needs (CwSN)
The lottery process for Class 1 happens in four phases — first filling RTE seats, then CwSN seats, then Categories 1 and 2, and finally covering shortfalls from reserved categories.
Step-by-Step Guide to Apply Online (Class 1)
Class 1 admissions happen exclusively in online mode through the official KVS portal.
Step 1 — Visit the Portal Go to kvsonlineadmission.kvs.gov.in. Read all instructions carefully before proceeding. Check the declaration box and click “Proceed.”
Step 2 — New Registration Click “New Registration.” Enter your child’s name (exactly as per birth certificate), date of birth, CwSN status, parent’s KVS employment details (if applicable), a valid email ID, and a working mobile number. These details cannot be changed later, so double-check before submitting.
Step 3 — Receive Your Login Code After successful registration, a unique login code is sent to your registered email/mobile. Save it carefully — you’ll need this at every subsequent step.
Step 4 — Select Schools Log in and choose up to 3 Kendriya Vidyalayas from the list of schools in your preferred area. Choosing 3 schools maximizes your chances.
Step 5 — Fill Remaining Details Complete all remaining fields: parent/guardian details, service category, transfer history (number of transfers in the last 7 years), sibling details if applicable.
Step 6 — Upload Documents Upload scanned copies of the child’s photograph, birth certificate, and other required documents (see the next section for the full list).
Step 7 — Review and Submit Preview the entire form. Verify every detail carefully. Submit the form. After successful submission, you’ll receive a unique Application Submission Code — this is different from the login code. Do not confuse the two. Save this code; it’s required for the admission process.
How to Apply for Class 2 and Above
For Classes 2 to 10 (except Class 11), the process is offline:
- Visit the respective KV school’s administrative office
- Collect the admission form physically from the school
- Fill it out neatly and attach all required documents
- Submit the form at the school office within the stipulated dates
Admission for these classes is based on vacant seats only through the priority category system. There is no entrance test for Classes 2 to 8 or Class 9 (the Class 9 admission test was withdrawn; admissions are now purely category-based).
Class 11 admissions begin within 10 days of the CBSE Class 10 board results — expected around May–June 2026. Stream allocation depends on the marks obtained in Class 10, but there is no separate entrance exam.
Documents Required for KVS Admission 2026
Prepare the following documents before applying:
- Birth certificate issued by competent authority (municipality, gram panchayat, military hospital, etc.)
- Proof of parent’s service/employment (service certificate from employer)
- Transfer certificate (for transfers from another school)
- Caste certificate for SC/ST/OBC students (issued by competent authority)
- EWS/BPL certificate (for RTE applicants)
- Disability certificate from civil surgeon or rehabilitation centre (for CwSN students)
- Passport-size photograph of the student
- Proof of relationship of child with grandparents (if grandparents’ service credentials are being used)
- Retirement certificate (for retired/ex-defence personnel)
All documents should be self-attested. For online submission, have good-quality scanned copies ready in the accepted file formats.
KVS Fee Structure 2026-27
One of the biggest advantages of KV schools is their highly affordable fee structure. Here’s a general overview:
- Admission Fee: ₹25 (one-time, non-refundable)
- Re-admission Fee: ₹100 (if applicable)
- Tuition Fee (Class 1–8): Nil (no tuition fee for primary and middle school)
- Tuition Fee (Class 9–10): ₹200/month (boys); nil for girls
- Tuition Fee (Class 11–12, Science/Commerce): ₹300/month (boys); nil for girls
- Computer Fee: ₹150/month (from Class 3 onwards, where computer facility is available)
- Vidyalaya Vikas Nidhi: ₹500/year (all classes)
Girls, SC/ST students, and children of KVS employees are exempt from tuition fees. This makes KV schools an exceptionally cost-effective choice compared to private CBSE schools.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Wrong name or date of birth: These fields cannot be edited after registration. Ensure the child’s name matches the birth certificate exactly.
2. Not saving intermediate steps: The portal may time out. Save your progress at each step to avoid re-entering data.
3. Submitting without the Application Code: Many parents confuse the login code with the application submission code. The form is NOT submitted until the application submission code is generated.
4. Selecting only one school: You can choose up to 3 schools. Selecting more increases your probability of getting a seat.
5. Missing document uploads: Incomplete applications are rejected. Keep all documents scanned and ready before starting the form.
6. Ignoring the priority category: Apply only in the correct category. Misrepresentation leads to disqualification.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
- Apply on the first day the portal opens — popular schools fill up fast under each category.
- Document your transfer history carefully. More verified transfers = higher priority within the same category.
- For Category 7 (general category) applicants, chances are slim unless you’re in a less competitive region. Consider schools in smaller towns where seats remain after Category 1–6.
- Download the KVS official mobile app, which also allows registration and updates.
- Keep checking the official website for any date or guideline changes — KVS can revise schedules.
Key Takeaways
- KVS admission 2026-27 will begin in March 2026 for Class 1 (online) and April 2026 onwards for other classes (offline).
- Class 1 age limit: 6 to 8 years as of March 31, 2026.
- Admissions follow a strict priority category system — central government employees and defence personnel get the highest preference.
- There is no entrance exam for any class except specific merit-based criteria for Class 11 stream selection.
- 10 out of 40 seats in each class are reserved for EWS/BPL/differently-abled children under RTE.
- Official website: kvsonlineadmission.kvs.gov.in for Class 1; offline process at respective KV schools for Classes 2 and above.
Conclusion
KVS admission 2026-27 offers one of the best educational opportunities in India at minimal cost, with a proven CBSE curriculum and national-level consistency. The process, while competitive, is transparent and rule-based — which means preparation and awareness give you a real advantage.
Start gathering your documents now, bookmark the official KVS portal, and set calendar reminders for March 2026. Whether you’re applying for a toddler in Class 1 or a teenager moving to Class 9, understanding the priority system and following the process correctly is your best strategy.
FAQs
1. When will KVS admission 2026-27 start? KVS admission 2026-27 for Class 1 is expected to begin in March 2026. The exact dates will be announced on the official website kvsangathan.nic.in and kvsonlineadmission.kvs.gov.in.
2. What is the age limit for KVS Class 1 admission 2026? Children must be between 6 and 8 years of age as of March 31, 2026. Children with disabilities get a 2-year relaxation on the upper age limit.
3. Can a private sector employee apply for KVS admission? Yes, children of private sector employees can apply under Category 7 (general category), but admission is only possible if seats remain after Categories 1 to 6 are filled. Competition is high in urban areas.
4. Is there any entrance exam for KVS admission 2026? No entrance exam is held for Classes 1 to 10. Class 11 admissions are based on Class 10 board marks and stream preference — no separate test is required.
5. How many KV schools can I apply to in one application? You can select up to 3 Kendriya Vidyalaya schools during the online registration process for Class 1. It is strongly advised to choose all 3 to maximize your chances.
6. What documents are required for KVS admission 2026? Key documents include the child’s birth certificate, passport-size photograph, parent’s service certificate or employment proof, caste certificate (if applicable), and transfer certificate from the previous school. The full list is available on the official KVS website.
7. Is KVS admission free for girls? Girls are exempt from tuition fees in all classes. However, other charges like Vidyalaya Vikas Nidhi (₹500/year) and computer fees (from Class 3) still apply.
