National Desk (Journalist File): The Union Cabinet has approved the establishment of 85 new Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and 28 Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVs) across India. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced this decision on Friday, stating that these new schools aim to provide high-quality education to over 82,000 students nationwide.

Of the new Kendriya Vidyalayas, eight will be set up in Andhra Pradesh. The identified locations include Anakapalli, Valasapalle in Chittoor district, Palasamudram in Sri Sathya Sai district, Tallapalle and Rompicherla in erstwhile Guntur district, Nandigama and Nuzvid in erstwhile Krishna district, and Don in Nandyal district.

Telangana, on the other hand, will receive seven new Navodaya Vidyalayas. These will be established in Jagtial, Nizamabad, Kothagudem, Medchal, Mahabubnagar, Sangareddy, and Suryapet districts.

The Union government has allocated ₹5,872.08 crore for the construction of these schools over an eight-year period from 2025-26. This budget also includes the expansion of an existing KV in Shivamogga, Karnataka.

Currently, the Kendriya Vidyalaya network comprises 1,256 schools across the country, with a total enrollment of 13.56 lakh students. The Cabinet also approved the 26.46 km Rithala-Kundli corridor under the Delhi Metro for enhanced metro connectivity to Haryana.

The move reflects the Centre’s commitment to expanding access to quality education and improving connectivity in critical areas.