JNVST Exam 2026-27: Important Dates, Eligibility Criteria, Exam Syllabus and much more

Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test (JNVST) is a national-level entrance exam conducted for admission to Class 6 and Class 9 (Lateral Entry) in Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas across India. The Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) has officially released the admission notification and schedule for the upcoming academic session.

For Class 6 admissions, the selection test for summer and winter-bound JNVs is scheduled to be held on 28th November 2026. Meanwhile, the Class 9 Lateral Entry Selection Test (LEST) will be conducted in February 2027.

Below are the complete and official details regarding the JNVST exam schedule, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, and reservation policy.

JNVST IMPORTANT DATES & HIGHLIGHTS

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

For Class 6 Admission:

• District Specific: Candidates are eligible to apply only for the JNV located in the specific district where they are currently studying in Class 5.

• Age Limit: Candidates seeking admission must have been born between 1st May 2015 and 31st July 2017 (both dates inclusive).

• Academic Qualification: Candidate must be studying in Class 5 for the entire academic session in a Government/Government-aided school or through the 'B' Certificate Competency Course of NIOS in the same district.

• Previous Schooling: Must have passed Classes 3, 4, and 5 sequentially from a recognized government or government-aided school.

• No Repeaters Allowed: A candidate is permitted to appear for the JNVST entrance examination only once. Repeating candidates identified during document verification will be disqualified.

For Class 9 Admission (Lateral Entry):

• Admission is granted through the Lateral Entry Selection Test (LEST) against existing vacant seats in Class 9.

• Candidates must be studying in Class 8 in a recognized school in the same district where the JNV is functioning.

• Candidate's age must be between 13 and 15 years as of 1st May of the admission year.

RESERVATION CRITERIA

NVS follows strict reservation norms for seat allocations:

Note: Seats for rural area candidates are allocated block-wise based on the rural population density of the concerned district.

JNVST EXAM PATTERN

Class 6 Exam Pattern:

The exam is an OMR-based offline test containing 80 multiple-choice questions for 100 total marks. Duration is 2 hours (120 minutes).

Class 9 Exam Pattern:

Note: Answers must be marked on an OMR sheet using a black/blue ballpoint pen. There is no negative marking for wrong answers.

JNVST EXAM SYLLABUS

Class 6 Syllabus Highlights:

Class 9 Syllabus Highlights:

PREPARATION TIPS & STRATEGIES

• Understand the Pattern: Thoroughly review the official syllabus and section-wise weightage to build a target-oriented study plan.

• Master Mental Ability: Mental ability holds 50% weightage in Class 6 exams. Consistent daily practice of visual patterns boosts accuracy.

• Solve Mock Tests: Practice previous years' question papers and OMR-based sample tests to build speed and accuracy under real exam conditions.

• Regular Revisions: Focus on weak concepts in Mathematics and Science, keeping formula cheat sheets and key vocabulary handy.

BEST BOOKS FOR JNVST PREPARATION

To excel in the entrance exam, preparing with well-structured reference material is key. Disha Publication offers comprehensive JNVST Preparation Books for Class 6 and Class 9, packed with topic-wise theory, practice MCQs, and solved past-year question papers tailored to the latest NVS exam pattern.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Q1. Can a student apply for JNVST from a district other than their residence?

Ans. No. A student must apply from the district where they are currently studying in Class 5/8, as seat allocation is strictly district-specific.

Q2. Is there any negative marking in the JNVST entrance exam?

Ans. No, there is no negative marking for incorrect answers in JNVST. Students are advised to attempt all questions.

Q3. Can students request a change of exam center after form submission?

Ans. No. The examination center allotted by NVS based on the school's location is final and cannot be changed.

Q4. How is a tie in marks resolved in JNVST selection?

Ans. In case of equal total marks, priority is given based on performance in Mental Ability, followed by Arithmetic/Maths, and lastly Language skills.

Q5. Is a waiting list published by NVS if seats remain vacant?

Ans. Yes, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti releases provisional selection lists followed by secondary waitlists to fill unfilled seats based on merit and category rules.