Coimbatore-based outfit Marumalarchi Makkal Iyakkam (MMI) has written to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), demanding the cancellation of entrance examinations for Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs), calling them a violation of the Right to Education (RTE) Act.
In the letter, MMI president V. Eswaran noted that the RTE Act explicitly prohibits screening procedures for admission up to Class 8, and that the designation of JNVs as a “specified category” does not exempt them from this provision. He argued that competitive entrance tests for children as young as 10 or 11 cause undue psychological pressure and constitute a violation of child rights.
The representation highlighted that although 75% of JNV seats are reserved for rural students, the proliferation of private coaching centres has skewed results in favour of children from urban or wealthier backgrounds, undermining equity.
Mr. Eswaran requested NCPCR, NVS, and the Ministry of Education to adopt a transparent admission process similar to RTE guidelines, ensuring genuine disadvantaged students benefit. The letter also urged consultation with legal experts and immediate action to prevent the violation of children’s fundamental rights.
The appeal comes as the Supreme Court has directed the identification of sites for new JNVs in Tamil Nadu.
Published – December 24, 2025 07:06 pm IST
