Over 12,000 Teaching Vacancies in Kendriya, Navodaya Vidyalayas: Govt Data Reveals

According to recent figures shared by the Ministry of Education in Parliament, over 12,000 teaching posts are lying vacant across Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs). This includes thousands of vacancies for both primary and secondary school teachers, as well as principals and vice principals. These numbers paint a concerning picture of the

I’m writing about this because it’s not just a matter of job vacancies. This issue directly affects the quality of education being delivered in KVs and JNVs, institutions that are supposed to set a benchmark for public schooling in India. Many parents prefer these schools for their quality and affordability. But how can quality be maintained if classrooms are understaffed or subjects go untaught for months? This topic matters not only to job-seekers but also to families relying on these schools, especially in rural or semi-urban areas where private schooling is not affordable or accessible.

Breakdown of Vacancies in KVs and NVs

As per the government’s response in the Rajya Sabha:

Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) have over 7,765 teaching vacancies.
Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) have over 4,323 teaching posts unfilled.

These numbers include posts for:

Post Graduate Teachers (PGTs)
Trained Graduate Teachers (TGTs)
Primary Teachers (PRTs)
Principals and Vice Principals
Librarians and Physical Education teachers

This is not a recent issue. The number of vacant posts has remained consistently high over the past few years, affecting academic delivery and increasing the workload on existing staff.

Why This Problem Needs Urgent Fixing

KVs and JNVs are known for offering quality education at minimal cost, with a curriculum that matches CBSE standards. However, these schools cannot function effectively if they are severely understaffed. In many schools, especially in remote areas, one teacher is forced to handle multiple subjects or classes, which is neither fair to teachers nor students.

Here are some of the major concerns:

Subjects like science, mathematics, and language often go without qualified teachers
Extracurricular activities and specialised roles (like music, arts, physical education) are either ignored or outsourced
Students preparing for competitive exams suffer due to lack of proper guidance
Administrative burden on principals increases due to shortage of vice principals and support staff

Recruitment Delays and Challenges

The Ministry of Education has stated that recruitment is conducted by the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), both autonomous bodies under the Ministry. However, delays in recruitment exams, legal hurdles, administrative bottlenecks, and reservation-related litigation have slowed down the process.

For instance:

In 2023, written exams for multiple posts were conducted, but final appointments were delayed
Court cases related to selection criteria and reservation policies have caused stay orders on results in some regions
Shortage of eligible candidates in remote regions also affects appointment timelines

What the Government Says

In its official reply, the Education Ministry said efforts are being made to fill these vacancies in a phased manner. They also mentioned that retired teachers and part-time instructors are being appointed temporarily to manage the academic load.

But many education experts feel this is not a sustainable solution. Contractual teachers often don’t receive equal pay or training, and there’s high turnover. Students end up missing out on continuity and quality in teaching.

What Can Be Done

There are some practical solutions that the government can implement to address the crisis faster:

Fast-track recruitment through online and regional selection centres
Introduce incentives for teachers willing to serve in remote or tribal areas
Streamline legal processes related to recruitment and reservation
Strengthen teacher training institutes to ensure a steady pipeline of quality educators

Eastern Railway Opens 3115 Apprentice Posts: Online Application Starts August 14

Eastern Railway has officially announced a massive recruitment drive for 3115 apprentice posts across various trades. The online application process will begin from 14 August 2025 and continue till 13 September 2025. The vacancies are spread across different divisions including Howrah, Sealdah, Asansol, Malda, Kanchrapara Workshop, Liluah Workshop and Jamalpur Workshop. The recruitment will be

I’m writing about this recruitment news because such opportunities are golden for students and job seekers, especially those who come from technical or vocational backgrounds. Government apprentice positions like this not only offer training in a skilled trade but also improve the chances of future government employment. Many aspirants in rural and semi-urban areas are always looking for this kind of official vacancy update, but sometimes they miss deadlines due to lack of proper information. That’s why it’s important to write in simple and clear language, so that everyone understands the eligibility, deadline and application process correctly. This recruitment can help thousands of youth start their careers on the right path, and that’s something worth highlighting.

Vacancy Details and Key Highlights

Here’s a quick breakdown of what Eastern Railway is offering in this recruitment drive:

Division/Workshop	No. of Posts
Howrah Division	659
Sealdah Division	440
Asansol Division	412
Malda Division	138
Kanchrapara Workshop	187
Liluah Workshop	612
Jamalpur Workshop	667
Total	3115

All these posts are for apprentices under the Act Apprenticeship Scheme, where selected candidates will be trained in various trades.

Who Can Apply: Eligibility Criteria

Before applying, candidates must check the following eligibility points:

Age Limit: Minimum age is 15 years and maximum is 24 years as on the cut-off date. Age relaxation is applicable as per government rules (SC/ST – 5 years, OBC – 3 years, PwBD – 10 years).
Educational Qualification: The candidate must have passed Class 10 (Matriculation) or equivalent with minimum 50% marks.
Technical Qualification: ITI certificate in the relevant trade is compulsory from an NCVT/SCVT recognised institute.

Application Process: How to Apply

Candidates can apply only through the official website of Eastern Railway once the application window opens on 14 August 2025. Here’s what they’ll need to do:

Visit the official RRC Eastern Railway portal
Click on the Apprentice Recruitment 2025 link
Register using a valid mobile number and email ID
Fill in personal, educational and trade preference details
Upload scanned documents (photo, signature, ITI certificate etc.)
Pay the application fee (Rs. 100 for General/OBC; no fee for SC/ST/PwBD/Women)
Submit the form and keep a printout for future reference

Selection Process: No Written Test

There will be no written exam for these apprentice posts. Selection will be done purely on the basis of merit, calculated using:

Class 10 marks (with minimum 50%)
ITI marks in the relevant trade

A final merit list will be released division-wise and trade-wise. No interview or skill test is required.

Documents Required at the Time of Application

Make sure you have the following documents ready while applying:

Class 10 marksheet and certificate
ITI certificate and marksheet
Aadhaar card or any valid photo ID
Caste certificate (if applicable)
Disability certificate (if applicable)
Passport size photo and signature scan

Important Dates to Remember

Event	Date
Online Application Starts	14 August 2025
Last Date to Apply	13 September 2025
Merit List Announcement	To be notified

Why This Recruitment Is a Big Deal

Getting trained as an apprentice in Indian Railways is more than just a stepping stone. It helps candidates gain hands-on experience and boosts their profile for future permanent job openings. The Railways is one of the biggest employers in India, and many past apprentices have gone on to secure long-term government jobs. For youth in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar and Odisha, where most of these divisions are located, this is a major opportunity to build a career without having to migrate far.