JNVST

Overview

The Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test (JNVST) is the entrance exam the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) uses to admit students into Class 6 of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs). JNVs are free, fully residential, co-educational schools run by the central government, with one vidyalaya in nearly every district of the country. A seat in a JNV is decided entirely by this test — there is no interview or additional screening.

Who can apply

A candidate must be studying in Class 5 during the current academic session in a government, government-aided, or otherwise recognised school (or pursuing the NIOS "B" level course), and must have studied Classes 3, 4 and 5 in schools located in the same district for which they are applying. NVS also sets a birth-date window each cycle; for the 2026–27 admission round it was 1 May 2014 to 31 July 2016. Only one attempt at Class 6 JNVST is allowed per candidate, and a candidate who has already studied in a JNV or repeated a class is not eligible.

Exam pattern

The test is objective-type, uses OMR sheets, and has no negative marking.

Each section is separately timed, so time saved in one section cannot be used for another.

Syllabus

The Mental Ability Test is non-verbal reasoning — pattern completion, figure matching, odd-one-out, and similar puzzle-type items — and carries the largest weight in the test. The Arithmetic Test covers Class 3–5 level mathematics from NCERT or the equivalent state board. The Language Test checks basic reading comprehension appropriate to Class 5.

Marking and results

There is no negative marking. NVS prepares district-wise merit lists with reservations: 75% of seats are for candidates from rural areas, at least one-third for girls, seats for SC/ST candidates in proportion to district population, and 3% for candidates with disabilities.

Important dates

JNVST for Class 6 is held in two phases. For the 2026–27 admission cycle, Phase 1 was conducted on 13 December 2025, and Phase 2 on 11 April 2026, mainly for hilly and snow-bound regions and candidates who could not sit for Phase 1. Phase 1 results were expected around March 2026 and Phase 2 results around May 2026. Exact dates are announced separately each year on navodaya.gov.in.

Fees

There is no application fee or exam fee for JNVST.

How to apply

Applications are submitted online through the link on navodaya.gov.in. The form needs the candidate's Class 5 school details, a certificate from the school's head teacher confirming eligibility, and a recent photograph and signature. Parents should keep the registration/roll number safe, since it is needed to download the admit card and check results.

After the exam

Selected candidates are admitted to the JNV in their own district for Class 6, with free tuition, boarding, lodging, textbooks and uniforms for the full residential school programme through Class 12.

Preparation tips

Since the Mental Ability Test carries half the marks, practising non-verbal reasoning patterns from past JNVST papers gives the biggest return. Revise Class 3–5 NCERT mathematics thoroughly for the Arithmetic section, and read short passages daily to build speed for the Language Test. Because each section has its own time limit, timed practice matters more than overall speed.

FAQs