Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test (JNVST)

Overview

The JNV exam, officially the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test (JNVST), is an entrance examination to select meritorious students for admission to Class VI in Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) across India. Administered by the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), the non-verbal test assesses mental ability, arithmetic, and language skills.

Students are selected based on their performance in the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test (JNVST), a merit-based entrance exam conducted annually by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Admission is primarily for Class VI, with a lateral entry option for Classes IX and XI. At least 75% of the seats in each JNV are reserved for children from rural areas. While education is free for all students up to Class VIII, a nominal fee is charged for students in Classes IX to XII. However, students from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), girls, and families below the poverty line (BPL) are exempt from this fee.

 

 

About JNV

Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) are a network of central government-run residential schools in India for talented students, predominantly from rural areas. The schools aim to provide high-quality, modern education to students from rural backgrounds, regardless of their family's socioeconomic status. They were established under the National Policy on Education of 1986.

JNVs promote national integration through a student migration scheme, where students from one linguistic region are moved to a JNV in another region for a year. The schools adhere to the Three-Language Formula, ensuring that students achieve a reasonable level of competence in three languages. 

 

Objectives

The core objectives of the Navodaya Vidyalaya scheme are: 

·         To nurture the best talent from rural areas.

·         To provide students with a modern education comparable to the best residential school systems.

·         To facilitate students' integration into the mainstream of society, allowing them to compete with urban counterparts on an equal footing.

·         To act as a focal point for improving the quality of school education in each district by sharing resources and experiences.

 

JNVST Highlights

Exam Name	JNVST
Full Form	Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya  Selection Test
Most popular for	Class VI, IX, XI
Level	National level
Conducting Body	Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya
Mode of Exam	Pen and paper (OMR Based)
Application Mode	Offline
Application form fee	Free of cost
Medium	English, Hindi and regional languages
Website	https://navodaya.gov.in/

Eligibility Criteria for JNVST

To be eligible for the JNVST (Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test), students must be born between specific dates (e.g., May 1, 2014, and July 31, 2016, for Class 6 in 2026), be studying in the appropriate class (e.g., Class 5 for the 2025-26 session for Class 6), and reside in the district where the Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) is located. They must also have studied in a government-recognized school. 

Age Limit

·         Class 6: Students must be born between May 1, 2014, and July 31, 2016, for the 2026 admission year. 

·         Class 9: The age limit is 13 to 16 years on May 1 of the admission year. 

·         Class 11: The age limit is 14 to 18 years as of July 1 of the admission year. 

 

 

Educational Criteria

·         Class 6: 

Students must be studying in Class 5 during the 2025-26 academic year in a recognized government-funded or government-aided school. 

·         Class 9: 

Candidates must have studied in Class 8 in a government or government-recognized school within the district of the JNV. 

·         Class 11: 

Students must have passed Class 10 from a recognized school in the district where the JNV is located. 

 

Residence Requirement 

·         Applicants must be from the same district where the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya has been established.

 

 

General Criteria

·         District Specific: 

JNVST admissions are district-specific, so a student must apply from the district where the JNV is located. 

·         Previous Attempts: 

Candidates cannot have appeared for the JNVST before. 

·         Promotions: 

A candidate must have been accepted and promoted to Class V (or the relevant class for higher admissions) by the stipulated date. 

·         Rural Quota: 

If claiming a rural quota, the student must have studied and passed Classes III, IV, and V from a government or government-aided school. 

 

 

 

JNVST Exam Pattern

The Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test (JNVST) for Class 6 consists of an offline (OMR-based) exam with 80 multiple-choice questions across three sections: Mental Ability, Arithmetic, and Language. The exam is held in English, Hindi, and regional languages and lasts for two hours. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers. 

 

Exam Structure 

·         Mode: Offline (OMR sheet based)

·         Duration: 02 Hours (120 minutes)

·         Total Questions:  80

·         Total Marks:  100

·         Negative Marking: No

 

 

Sections and Marks 

·         Mental Ability Test: 40 Questions, 50 Marks

·         Arithmetic Test: 20 Questions, 25 Marks

·         Language Test: 20 Questions, 25 Marks

 

 

Key Features

·         Language: The exam is conducted in English, Hindi, and the regional language chosen by the candidate. 

·         Question Type: All questions are multiple-choice questions. 

·         Purpose: The test assesses a student's mental ability, basic mathematical skills, and language proficiency. 

JNVST Exam Syllabus

The JNVST syllabus for Class 6 admission consists of three sections: Mental Ability Test (MAT), Arithmetic Test, and Language Test. The Mental Ability section assesses non-verbal reasoning with topics like pattern completion and figure matching. The Arithmetic section covers fundamental math concepts such as number systems, fractions, and decimals, along with topics like profit & loss and measurement. The Language Test evaluates comprehension skills using reading passages. 

 

Mental Ability Test (MAT)

·         Topics: Odd Man Out, Figure Matching, Pattern Completion, Figure Series Completion, Analogy, Geometrical Figure Completion, Mirror Imaging, Punched Hole Pattern, Space Visualization, and Embedded Figure. 

·         Purpose: To test non-verbal reasoning and overall mental abilities using figures and diagrams. 

·         Questions: 40 questions. 

 

 

Arithmetic Test

·         Topics: Number and Numeric System, Four Fundamental Operations, Factors & Multiples, Decimals, Fractions, Measurement (Length, Mass, Capacity, Time, Money), Simplification, Profit & Loss, Perimeter & Area of Square/Rectangle/Triangle, Data Analysis (Bar Diagrams, Line Charts). 

·         Purpose: To assess understanding and application of basic mathematical concepts. 

·         Questions: 20 questions. 

 

 

Language Test 

·         Topics: Comprehension passages and grammar.

·         Purpose: To evaluate reading comprehension and language skills.

·         Questions: 20 questions.

Note :-  Always refer to the official website i.e. https://navodaya.gov.in/ or the most current information and updates.