The National policy on education 1986 envisaged establishment of Navodaya Vidyalaya in each district of the country. The first two schools were started in 1985-86 on experimental basis One at Amaravati (Maharastra) and other at Jhajjar(Hariyana) . The numbers of schools have now grown to 544 spread over 34 union states and Union territories (except Tamilnadu). Navodaya Vidyalayas are fully residential and co-educational schools covering class VI to XII. Education in these Vidyalayas are free for all enrolled students including Lodging, Boarding, Textbooks, uniforms etc. The Vidyalayas seek to promote and develop talented, bright and gifted children predominantly from rural areas who may otherwise be denied of good educational opportunities.

These Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVS) function under the ministry of HRD Dept.of Education  Govt. of India and are affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Admission to Vidyalayas is done at the class VI level through an open test conducted at District level by the CBSE. About 80 students are admitted in each JNV which ensure  all-round development of the personality of children by providing good academic guidance apart from input in other non-scholastic areas by providing good facilities for sports, NCC, Scouts & Guides adventure activities , Computer education etc.

One of the salient features of the Navodaya Vidyalayas is migration under which 30% of children studying in class IX from Navodaya Vidyalaya in a Hindi belt gets shifted for studies in a JNV of Non-Hindi area and vice-versa and thus helps to promote National integraion.