No New Kendriya Vidyalayas Approved in Maharashtra; 860 PM SHRI Schools Selected Through Challenge Mode

Reported by Akshata Pawar
New Delhi, 22nd July 2025: The Ministry of Education has confirmed that no feasible proposals have been received from the Maharashtra State Government for setting up new Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) as per Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) norms. This revelation came in a written response by Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary, to a question raised in the Lok Sabha.

Despite several Members of Parliament from Maharashtra, including Bhaskar Bhagare, Nilesh Lanke, Sanjay Dina Patil, Prof. Varsha Gaikwad, and Supriya Sule, raising the issue of establishing more KVs and PM SHRI (Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India) schools, the Ministry clarified that the KVS has not received any proposal from the state government or district administrations that meets the established criteria for setting up new Kendriya Vidyalayas.

KVs are primarily opened to serve the children of transferable Central Government employees, including personnel from the defence and paramilitary forces, public sector undertakings, and central autonomous bodies. Proposals to set up new KVs must include commitments from sponsoring agencies—either state governments or ministries of the central government—regarding the provision of land and temporary infrastructure. All such proposals are subject to approval by the competent authority based on existing norms.

PM SHRI Schools Gain Momentum in Maharashtra:
While no new KVs are being added, the PM SHRI scheme has seen significant traction in Maharashtra. A total of 860 PM SHRI schools have been selected in the state, including 52 Kendriya Vidyalayas that have now been designated as PM SHRI KVs. These selections were made through an online, transparent Challenge Mode where schools voluntarily applied and were evaluated against set benchmarks.

The selection involves a three-stage process with clearly defined timelines. Schools submit applications via the online PM SHRI portal, and the final decision is made by an expert committee headed by the Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education.

District-Wise Overview
According to Annexure-I of the ministry’s reply, the number of PM SHRI school proposals from Maharashtra included:
-846 in Phase 1
-677 in Phase 2
-101 in Phase 7

Out of these, 516 schools were selected in Phase 1, 311 in Phase 2, and 33 in Phase 7.

Some districts with high numbers of selected PM SHRI schools include:
-Nashik: 47 selected schools
-Pune: 38 schools
-Nagpur: 34 schools
-Yavatmal: 42 schools
-Nanded: 39 schools

As per detailed statistics on infrastructure, enrolment, and faculty:
-Kendriya Vidyalayas in Maharashtra: 60 operational (as of March 31, 2025)
-Total student enrolment: 76,790
-Faculty strength: 2,723
-Most KVs have smart classrooms, computer labs, and internet connectivity, achieving 100% ICT saturation.

PM SHRI Schools (non-KV):
-Total enrolment: 3,05,210 students
-Faculty strength: 9,141 teachers
-Playgrounds: 450 across schools

The districts with the highest PM SHRI school student enrolment include:
-Nanded: 19,140 students
-Pune: 19,104 students
-Nashik: 15,456 students

In a significant move to promote inclusive education, the Ministry noted that KV Washim has been designated as a PM SHRI KV. Washim is one of Maharashtra’s Aspirational Districts, identified by NITI Aayog for focused development. Additionally, Navodaya Vidyalayas in Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Osmanabad, and Washim have also been included under the PM SHRI framework.

The Ministry clarified that KVs are not sanctioned based on whether a district is backward or aspirational. However, PM SHRI schools are intended to ensure every rural block—including those in aspirational districts—is served. The state of Maharashtra has at least one PM SHRI school in every block of all aspirational districts.