How Many Government Schools in India Offer Admission Through Entrance Exams?

India has one of the largest school education systems in the world. While most government schools admit students through neighborhood or merit-based admissions, a special category of government residential and elite schools conducts entrance examinations to select talented students.

These schools—such as Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti schools and Sainik Schools Society institutions—provide high-quality education, modern facilities, and often free or subsidized schooling to deserving students across the country.

Government Schools in India With Entrance Exams: Overview

Entrance-based government schools are special institutions created to nurture talented students, provide equal educational opportunities, and develop leadership skills.

These schools usually offer:

• Residential education

• Highly qualified teachers

• Modern laboratories and libraries

• Sports and extracurricular training

• National-level competitive environment

Most of them admit students through national or state-level entrance tests conducted annually.

Today, India has more than 1,000 government or government-supported schools where admission is primarily based on entrance exams.

Major Government Schools With Entrance Exams in India

1. Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNV)

Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti runs one of the largest networks of residential schools in the world.

These schools were established by the Government of India to provide quality education to talented rural students.

Key Highlights

• Entrance exam: JNVST (Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test)

• Admission class: Class 6 (main entry)

• Schools are fully residential and co-educational

• Priority given to students from rural areas

Latest Statistics

• 653+ operational schools across India

• Nearly 50,000+ students admitted every year

• At least one school in almost every district

Navodaya Vidyalayas are known for their excellent academic performance in CBSE board exams and strong results in competitive exams like JEE and NEET.

2. Sainik Schools

Another major group of entrance-based government schools in India is managed by Sainik Schools Society, under the Ministry of Defence.

These schools prepare students for defence careers, especially entry into the National Defence Academy (NDA).

Key Highlights

• Entrance exam: AISSEE (All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination)

• Admission classes: Class 6 and Class 9

• Curriculum: CBSE

• Focus on discipline, leadership, and physical training

Latest Statistics (2026)

• 33 traditional Sainik Schools

• 69 new Sainik Schools approved under expansion

➡️ Total: about 100+ Sainik Schools across India

The government is expanding this network to ensure more students get access to military-style education.

3. Rashtriya Military Schools (RMS)

The Indian Army also runs elite schools called Rashtriya Military Schools.

These schools were originally created to educate children of defence personnel but now also admit civilian students.

Key Highlights

• Entrance exam: RMS Common Entrance Test

• Admission classes: Class 6 and Class 9

• Residential schooling

• Strong focus on leadership, discipline, and academics

Total Schools

India currently has 5 Rashtriya Military Schools located in:

• Ajmer

• Bengaluru

• Belgaum

• Chail

• Dholpur

• Matanhail (Jhajjar's)

These schools have produced many officers for the Indian Armed Forces.

4. Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC)

One of the most prestigious military preparatory institutions in India is the Rashtriya Indian Military College.

Key Highlights

• Location: Dehradun

• Admission after Class 8

• Entrance exam conducted twice a year

• Highly competitive selection

Total Institutions

India has only one RIMC campus, making it one of the most selective school admissions in the country.

5. Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)

The Government of India also runs Eklavya Model Residential Schools for students from Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities.

Key Highlights

• Target group: Tribal students

• Classes: 6 to 12

• Many schools conduct entrance tests or merit-based selection

Latest Statistics

• 740+ schools approved nationwide

• 400+ already operational

The government plans to establish an EMRS in every tribal-dominated district.

6. State Government Entrance-Based Residential Schools

Apart from central government institutions, several state governments run their own entrance-based residential schools.

Examples include:

• Netarhat Residential School (Jharkhand)

• Simultala Awasiya Vidyalaya (Bihar)

• Atal Residential Schools (Uttar Pradesh)

• Gyan Shakti Schools (Gujarat)

For example, Atal Residential Schools in Uttar Pradesh conduct entrance tests for Class 6 and Class 9 admissions, attracting thousands of applicants every year.

Total Number of Entrance-Based Government Schools in India

Based on the latest available data (2025–2026), here is the approximate count:

Estimated Total

👉 More than 1,200 government schools in India offer admission through entrance examinations.

This number is growing as the government continues expanding residential education programs.

Why Entrance-Based Government Schools Are Popular

These schools are extremely competitive because they provide top-quality education at very low cost or completely free.

Major Advantages

1. Quality Education

Most entrance-based schools follow CBSE curriculum with excellent infrastructure.

2. Residential Facilities

Students receive:

• Hostel accommodation

• Meals

• Sports facilities

• Academic mentoring

3. Competitive Environment

Students study with talented peers selected through national-level exams.

4. Leadership Development

Military schools and residential institutions emphasize:

• Discipline

• Physical fitness

• Leadership skills

Entrance Exams Conducted for These Schools

Students usually need to clear one of the following exams:

These exams generally test:

• Mathematics

• Mental Ability

• Language

• General Knowledge

Competition Level in These Schools

Admission to these schools is highly competitive.

For example:

• Millions of students apply for Navodaya entrance exams each year.

• Only around 80 students per district typically get selected for Navodaya schools.

Similarly, Sainik School entrance exams attract thousands of applicants for limited seats.

This makes them some of the most selective school admissions in India.

Future Expansion of Entrance-Based Government Schools

The Government of India is actively expanding these institutions.

Major initiatives include:

• Expansion of Sainik Schools under partnership model

• Establishment of Eklavya Model Residential Schools in every tribal district

• Improvement of residential education for rural and underprivileged students

These initiatives aim to improve access to quality education across India.

Conclusion

Entrance-based government schools play a vital role in India’s education system. Institutions like Navodaya Vidyalayas, Sainik Schools, and Military Schools provide high-quality education, leadership training, and equal opportunities to talented students from all backgrounds.

As of 2026, India has more than 1,200 government schools where admission is conducted through entrance examinations.

With the government continuing to expand residential education networks, this number is expected to increase significantly in the coming years.

For students who dream of studying in prestigious government institutions, preparing for these entrance exams can open the door to world-class education at minimal cost.