Registration for Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) admission for the 2027-28 session is closed for both Class 6 and Class 9 as of October 2026. The Class 6 selection test (JNVST) is reported for 28 November 2026 and the Class 9 lateral entry test for 10 April 2027. If you missed this round, use this guide to plan for the next one.
Dates below come from news reports on the NVS notices. Please confirm on navodaya.gov.in, because some dates were extended.
Quick facts
| Item | Class 6 (JNVST 2027) | Class 9 (lateral entry 2027) |
|---|---|---|
| Registration status | Closed. Deadline was extended from 31 July to 7 August 2026 | Closed. Reported deadline 30 September 2026; one report says it was extended to 22 October 2026 |
| Exam date reported | 28 November 2026 (OMR based) | 10 April 2027 |
| Results | Expected by end of March 2027 (reported) | Not announced in sources we read |
| Application fee | Not mentioned as charged; the Class 9 form was reported as free | Free, as reported |
| Where to apply | navodaya.gov.in | navodaya.gov.in (Class 9 lateral entry link) |
What is JNVST?
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas are free residential schools run by Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) for talented children, with a focus on rural areas. Entry to Class 6 is through the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test. Entry to Class 9 is through a Lateral Entry Selection Test (LEST) for the few seats that fall vacant.
Class 6 eligibility
- The child must be studying in Class 5 in 2026-27.
- The child must have studied Classes 3, 4 and 5 in recognised schools.
- The child must be a resident of the district where the JNV is located. The application is accepted only for the JNV of your own district. In some cases a neighbouring district is allowed if the school is within 10 km.
- Date of birth should be between 1 May 2015 and 31 July 2017, both days included.
- Children who have already passed or repeated Class 5 are not eligible, and a child can appear only once.
Class 6 exam pattern
The test has 80 objective questions for 100 marks in 2 hours. Each correct answer carries 1.25 marks and there is no negative marking.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mental Ability | 40 | 50 | 60 minutes |
| Arithmetic | 20 | 25 | 30 minutes |
| Language | 20 | 25 | 30 minutes |
Reports also mention minimum qualifying marks in each section (14 in the mental ability part, 7 in arithmetic and 7 in language). Only blue or black ballpoint pens are allowed in the exam hall, and pencils are not.
Seat reservation
At least 75 per cent of seats in each district are reserved for children from rural areas. SC and ST reservation follows the national norm, and OBC reservation is 27 per cent for the central list. At least one-third of seats go to girls, and children with disabilities have reservation under the rules. Check the prospectus on the NVS site for the full table.
Class 9 lateral entry
Class 9 seats are limited and open to students who are in Class 8 during 2026-27 in a government or recognised school of the same district. The test is objective with an OMR sheet and is based on Class 8 level questions. Selection depends on test performance and the seats vacant in that JNV. The sources we read did not give the birth date range for Class 9, so we are not stating one. See the official notification.
How to apply (general steps)
- Open navodaya.gov.in and go to the admission section for the class you want.
- Fill in the basic details of the student and parents. Keep the Class 5 or Class 8 school details ready.
- Upload the photograph, signature and other documents asked for. Each file has size limits in the notice.
- Submit and download the confirmation page.
The list of documents typically includes a certificate signed by the school head. We could not find a document checklist in the sources we read, so read the prospectus of the year when the next form opens.
How to prepare
You do not need coaching. Practice from NCERT books of Classes 3 to 5 for arithmetic and language, solve previous-year style mental ability questions, and practise filling an OMR sheet. Many families lose marks by marking the wrong circle, so a few mock tests help.
What if you missed this cycle?
NVS publishes the notice every year. Class 6 registration for the 2027 test ran through the middle of 2026, so the next round will probably open in a similar window in 2027, but this is our expectation, not an announcement. Keep checking navodaya.gov.in.
Conclusion
JNV admission for 2027-28 is already in the exam stage. Class 6 candidates should watch for the admit card ahead of the reported 28 November 2026 test, and Class 9 candidates should prepare for the reported 10 April 2027 test. Always confirm dates on navodaya.gov.in, as extensions have happened.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is JNVST Class 6 registration for 2027-28 still open?
No. As of October 2026 registration is closed. The deadline was extended to 7 August 2026.
What is the JNVST Class 6 exam date?
News reports give 28 November 2026 for the 2027 Class 6 test. Confirm on your admit card and navodaya.gov.in.
Is there negative marking in JNVST?
No. The Class 6 test has 80 questions for 100 marks, and each correct answer gives 1.25 marks.
What is the Class 9 lateral entry exam date?
Reports give 10 April 2027 for the Class 9 lateral entry test, with registration reported as closed.
Can I apply to a Navodaya school outside my district?
Generally no. The form is accepted for the JNV of your district of residence, with a limited exception for a neighbouring district within 10 km.
