JNVST is the national entrance test for free, residential Class 6 admission at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas. This guide covers the current cycle — JNVST 2027 (Class 6 admission for 2027–28), popularly searched as “Navodaya Exam 2026” — with eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, application steps, important dates, preparation strategy, and every JNV location in Andhra Pradesh & Telangana.
What is the Navodaya Vidyalaya Entrance Exam (JNVST)?
JNVST is conducted by the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education, for admission to Class 6 in Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) — fully residential, co-educational schools offering free education, boarding and lodging. Launched in 1986 under the National Policy on Education, the scheme aims to identify and nurture talented children regardless of their family’s ability to pay, with a strong focus on rural India. Today almost every district in India has at least one JNV, each admitting one section (80 seats) every year through JNVST.
🏫What is JNVST
- Conducted by: Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS)
- For: Class 6 admission across India
- Started: 1986
- Seats per JNV: 80
- Fully free education, boarding & lodging
Eligibility Criteria for JNVST 2027
Age Limit
Born between 1 May 2015 and 31 July 2017 (inclusive). No age relaxation for any category.
Educational Qualification
Must be studying in Class 5 during 2026–27 in a school in the same district as the application; must not have already passed or repeated Class 5. A candidate can attempt JNVST only once.
Rural vs Urban
Minimum 75% of seats per district reserved for candidates with 3 years of rural schooling (Classes 3–5). At least one-third of seats are reserved for girls. SC/ST/OBC reservation follows GOI norms; seats reserved for Divyang candidates too.
📋Eligibility at a Glance
| Date of birth | 1 May 2015 – 31 July 2017 |
| Current class | Studying Class 5 (2026–27) |
| District rule | Apply from district of residence/study |
| Rural quota | Min. 75% seats; 3 yrs rural schooling |
| Girls’ quota | Minimum 1/3 of seats |
| Age relaxation | None, for any category |
| Attempts | Only one |
Exam Pattern for JNVST 2027 (Revised Pattern)
NVS revised the pattern a few years ago — it’s now 80 objective questions worth 100 marks, not the older 100-question format.
🧭Exam Pattern
- Mode: Offline, OMR sheet (blue/black ballpoint pen only)
- Total: 80 questions, 100 marks (1.25 marks each)
- Duration: 2 hours (Divyang: +40 minutes)
- No negative marking
| Section | Qs | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mental Ability + EVS | 40 | 50 | 60 min |
| Arithmetic | 20 | 25 | 30 min |
| Language | 20 | 25 | 30 min |
| Total | 80 | 100 | 2 hrs |
Latest Syllabus for JNVST 2027 (Class 6)
NVS simplified the syllabus to focus on Class 3–5 NCERT-level concepts. Here is the current, official topic list:
📘Mental Ability Test (50 marks)
- Pattern completion
- Figure series
- Geometrical figure completion
- Mirror imaging
- Water imaging
- Embedded figures
🔢Arithmetic (25 marks)
- Number system: place value & ordering
- Four basic operations
- Factors & multiples (HCF/LCM)
- Fractions: addition/subtraction of like fractions
- Measurement conversions
- Simplification
- Perimeter & area
- Angles & directions
- Data handling: charts & pictographs
📖Language (25 marks)
- Four unseen reading comprehension passages
- Vocabulary-in-context questions
- Inference-based questions
- No separate grammar section in current pattern
How to Apply for JNVST 2027
Step-by-Step Online Application
- Visit navodaya.gov.in and open the JNVST 2027 application link (redirects to cbseitms.rcil.gov.in/nvs).
- Register with the student’s basic details.
- Fill in school details, Class 5 admission number, category, and rural/urban status.
- Upload photo and signatures of candidate and parent/guardian.
- Choose the exam centre (usually within the same district).
- Preview and submit the form.
- Download and print the confirmation slip.
✅Application Checklist
- Class 5 bonafide certificate
- Date of birth proof
- Passport-size photo
- Candidate & parent signature (scanned)
- Rural certificate (if applicable)
- Category/disability certificate (if applicable)
- Aadhaar number handy
- Printed confirmation slip
Application fee: None — NVS does not charge any category to apply.
Important Dates for JNVST 2027
📅Important Dates Timeline
| Notification released | 7 July 2026 |
| Application window | 7 Jul – 7 Aug 2026 |
| Admit card | Oct–Nov 2026 (expected) |
| Exam date | 28 Nov 2026 |
| Result | End of March 2027 (expected) |
| Admission completes | By 31 Aug 2027 |
How to Prepare for JNVST 2027?
Start preparation 6–8 months before the exam. Focus on speed and pattern recognition for Mental Ability, calculation speed for Arithmetic, and daily reading practice for Language. Use NCERT Class 3–5 textbooks as the base, plus official sample papers and previous years’ question papers.
🗓️6-Month Study Plan
| Month 1–2 | NCERT Class 3–5 basics + daily reading habit |
| Month 3–4 | Topic-wise practice: MAT, arithmetic, comprehension |
| Month 5 | Full-length timed mock tests |
| Month 6 | Daily mixed mocks, revision, speed drills |
Benefits of Studying in a Navodaya Vidyalaya
🎓Completely Free Education
Tuition, boarding, lodging, uniforms and textbooks are free (nominal fee only for Classes 9–12, waived for SC/ST, girls and BPL families).
🏠Residential Discipline
A structured daily routine that builds independence, time management, and strong study habits.
🔬Strong Infrastructure
Science & computer labs, libraries, sports facilities, and regular co-curricular activities.
🌾Focus on Rural Talent
The 75% rural quota ensures genuine access for children from rural schools.
🚀Strong Future Foundation
CBSE curriculum and discipline give a head start for JEE, NEET and government exams later.
Preparation Tips
💡Pro Tips
- One full-length mock test weekly from Month 4 onward
- Attempt Mental Ability first — most questions, quick wins
- Don’t dwell on tough questions — mark and move on
- No negative marking — attempt every question, but manage time
- Last month: revision + full mocks, no new topics
- Keep an error log and revisit weekly
Navodaya Vidyalaya Locations in Andhra Pradesh & Telangana
📍Andhra Pradesh
| School | District | Address | Pincode |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM SHRI JNV Chittoor | Chittoor | Valasapalle (via), Madanapalle | 517325 |
| PM SHRI JNV SPS Nellore | SPS Nellore | Krishnapuram Vill & PO, Marripadu Mandal | 524230 |
| PM SHRI JNV Kadapa (YSR) | YSR Kadapa | N R Palle, Mannoor Post, Rajampet Mandal | 516150 |
| PM SHRI JNV Anantapuramu | Anantapuramu | Lepakshi | 515331 |
| PM SHRI JNV Prakasam-I | Prakasam | NSC Area, Ongole | 523001 |
| PM SHRI JNV Prakasam-II | Prakasam | No. 2, Kalujuvvalapadu | 523241 |
| PM SHRI JNV East Godavari-I | East Godavari | Pandavula Metta, Peddapuram | 533437 |
| JNV East Godavari-II | East Godavari | Verify on navodaya.gov.in | — |
| PM SHRI JNV Guntur | Guntur | Maddirala | 522616 |
| JNV Krishna | Krishna | Verify on navodaya.gov.in | — |
| PM SHRI JNV West Godavari | West Godavari | Pedavegi (Village & Post) | 534450 |
| PM SHRI JNV Vizianagaram | Vizianagaram | Kiltampalem | 535145 |
| PM SHRI JNV Srikakulam | Srikakulam | Sarubujjili, Lakshmi Narsupeta | 532458 |
| JNV Visakhapatnam | Visakhapatnam | Kommadi | 530041 |
| PM SHRI JNV Kurnool | Kurnool | Banavasi (via Yemmiganur) | 518360 |
📍Telangana
| School | District | Address | Pincode |
|---|---|---|---|
| JNV Medak | Medak | Pamalaparthy (Post), Wargal | 502279 |
| JNV Warangal | Warangal | Mamnoor | 506166 |
| JNV Karimnagar | Karimnagar | Choppadandi | 505415 |
| JNV Mahabubnagar | Mahabubnagar | Vattem | 509203 |
| PM SHRI JNV Rangareddy | Rangareddy | HCU Campus, Gachibowli, Hyderabad | 500046 |
| JNV Nizamabad | Nizamabad | Nizam Sagar | 503302 |
| JNV Khammam | Khammam | Palair Post, Village Paleru, Kusumanchi Mandal | 507157 |
| JNV Adilabad (Sirpur) | Adilabad | Sirpur-Kagaznagar, RO Camp, Trishul Pahad | 504296 |
| PM SHRI JNV Nalgonda | Nalgonda | Chalakurthy Camp | 508202 |
Sample Mock Paper (JNVST Class 6 Pattern)
📝Sample Question Paper
A. Mental Ability Test
- A sequence of squares each has one more dot added in a fixed corner: 1 dot, 2 dots, 3 dots, ?
(a) 4 dots in the same corner (b) 4 dots scattered (c) 3 dots (d) blank square - Find the odd one out: (a) Triangle (b) Square (c) Circle (d) Cube
- If the word “NAVODAYA” is mirror-imaged, which letter appears first from the left?
(a) A (b) N (c) Y (d) D - Series: ○, ◔, ◑, ◕, ?
(a) ● (fully shaded) (b) ○ (unshaded) (c) ◑ (d) ◔ - Which shape, when folded along the dotted line, forms a complete square?
(a) Two right-angled triangles joined at the hypotenuse (b) Two circles (c) A triangle and a circle (d) Two different rectangles
B. Arithmetic
- Place value of 7 in 47,392? (a) 7,000 (b) 700 (c) 70 (d) 7
- HCF of 18 and 24? (a) 3 (b) 6 (c) 9 (d) 12
- 3/7 + 2/7 = ? (a) 5/7 (b) 5/14 (c) 1/7 (d) 6/7
- Perimeter of a square field is 48 m. Side length? (a) 10 m (b) 12 m (c) 16 m (d) 24 m
- Convert 3.5 kg to grams. (a) 350 g (b) 3,500 g (c) 35,000 g (d) 3.5 g
C. Language (Reading Comprehension)
Read the passage and answer questions 11–15: “Ravi lived in a small village near a river. Every morning, he walked two kilometres to school with his friends. He loved his village because it was peaceful and full of green fields. On weekends, he helped his father in the fields and learned about farming.”
- Where did Ravi live? (a) In a city (b) In a small village near a river (c) In a hostel (d) Near the sea
- How far did Ravi walk to school? (a) One km (b) Two km (c) Three km (d) Five km
- What did Ravi do on weekends? (a) Watched TV (b) Helped his father in the fields (c) Went to the city (d) Stayed indoors
- Why did Ravi love his village? (a) It was noisy (b) It was peaceful and green (c) Tall buildings (d) Large market
- “Peaceful” most nearly means: (a) Loud (b) Calm (c) Crowded (d) Busy
Answer Key: 1-(a) 2-(d) 3-(c) 4-(a) 5-(a) 6-(b) 7-(b) 8-(a) 9-(b) 10-(b) 11-(b) 12-(b) 13-(b) 14-(b) 15-(b)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the age limit for JNVST 2027?
Born between 1 May 2015 and 31 July 2017 (inclusive). No age relaxation for any category.
When will the Navodaya exam (JNVST 2027) be conducted?
28 November 2026, with results expected by end of March 2027.
Is there any fee for Navodaya Class 6 admission?
No — NVS does not charge any application fee for any category.
Can a student apply for JNVST from any district?
No — apply from the district where currently studying in Class 5; the exam is usually held in that same district.
How many times can a student attempt JNVST?
Only once — there’s no provision for a second attempt.
Is there negative marking in JNVST?
No. Each correct answer carries 1.25 marks; there’s no penalty for wrong answers.
What is the rural quota in JNVST admissions?
Minimum 75% of seats per district reserved for candidates who studied Classes 3, 4 and 5 in a rural, government or government-recognised school.