Admission to Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas are made through national level competitive examination conducted by  Central Board of Secondary Education and the children are admitted at class VI level.  Children are also being admitted against the vacant seats in class IX and in class XI also through regional level examination/marks in the previous  qualifying  examination.  Education in Navodaya Vidyalayas is free of cost.  So far 493 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas are in operation covering all States/Union Territories  excepting the State of Tamil Nadu.  A total of 75% of seats are reserved for rural children and a minimum of 33%  of seats are reserved for girls.  SC/STs also have due reservations  of 15% x7½% respectively.  The Scheme envisages establishment of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, one in each district of the country.

      Till 1998, the Jawahar  Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test (JNVST) was conducted by the National Council of  Educational Research and Training (NCERT). The medium of the test is in 20 Indian languages and is largely non-verbal and objective in nature and is so designed that talented children from rural areas are able to compete without suffering a disadvantage. All the children who have studied in and passed from Class V from any recognized school  of that district and are between 9 to 13 years of age are eligible to appear JNVST for Class VI.

   As per the Scheme, a maximum of 80 students can be admitted in Class VI per year in a JNV. However, in view of shortage of accommodation in some Vidyalaya, it is restricted to 40 only.