Jaipur, July 25 (IANS) Rajasthan BJP chief Madan Rathore on Saturday said the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government has taken significant steps to strengthen the country’s education infrastructure by expanding the network of Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs), Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) and Central Universities.
Citing a written reply by Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary in the Rajya Sabha to a question raised by him, Rathore said Rajasthan currently has 85 Kendriya Vidyalayas and 36 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas.
He added that the Centre has announced the establishment of 12 new Kendriya Vidyalayas in the state over the past three years. According to Rathore, the Union Budget for 2026–27 has allocated Rs 10,129 crore for Kendriya Vidyalayas and Rs 6,025 crore for Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas across the country.
He said that of the 85 new Kendriya Vidyalayas approved by the Central government in December 2024, Rajasthan was allotted nine schools, of which seven are already operational. Similarly, of the 57 Kendriya Vidyalayas approved in October 2025, Rajasthan received two schools, with one already functional.
The state has also been allotted one Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya out of the five approved in June 2026. Rathore further said the Centre has allocated a central share of Rs 950.41 crore for 164 education-related projects in Rajasthan during the 2026–27 financial year.
Of this, Rs 333.30 crore has been earmarked for 34 projects under the PM-USHA scheme. He said the PM-USHA initiative will help develop modern educational infrastructure, including ICT laboratories, science labs, digital libraries, smart classrooms and LED lighting in educational institutions. Rathore said the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan would further strengthen the quality of school education and infrastructure in Rajasthan.
He also highlighted the Central government’s investment in higher education, saying it has helped expand research facilities, improve quality and modernise educational institutions.
He added that the Ministry of Education has clarified that permanent buildings for Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas are being constructed in a phased manner, subject to the availability of land, statutory approvals and completion of the construction process.
Rathore expressed confidence that these initiatives would strengthen Rajasthan’s school and higher education infrastructure and help accelerate the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in the state.
–IANS
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