One in four Kendriya Vidyalayas functioning without regular principals

The data shows 344 of 1,356 Kendriya Vidyalayas are functioning without regular principals. Despite ongoing recruitment drives, KVS continues to rely on vice-principals and senior teachers as in-charge heads to manage schools until vacancies are filled.One in four KVs functioning without regular principals, 344 schools affected (representative image)Nearly one in four Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) across India is functioning without a regular principal, according to data shared by the Ministry of Education in Parliament. Despite multiple recruitment drives in recent years, hundreds of schools in the country's largest network of central schools continue to operate under in-charge heads.The data also indicates that the shortage has grown over time, even as the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) has expanded its school network and undertaken large-scale recruitment exercises, as reported by The Indian Express.344 KVs WITHOUT FULL-TIME PRINCIPALSAccording to the report, 1,356 Kendriya Vidyalayas are currently functional across the country. Of these, only 1,012 schools have regular principals or Grade-II principals, leaving 344 schools without a full-time head.The latest figures also point to a widening leadership gap compared to eight years ago. Earlier government data showed 200 vacant principal posts out of 1,081 sanctioned positions. While the KVS network has expanded significantly since then, the number of schools without regular principals has also increased. WHY ARE PRINCIPAL VACANCIES RISING?Responding to a question in Parliament, the Ministry of Education said vacancies arise regularly due to several administrative reasons, including:Opening of new Kendriya VidyalayasRetirement of principalsResignationsPromotions and transfersDeputation of employees to other departmentsUpgradation of schoolsThe ministry said filling vacancies is a continuous process carried out in accordance with the recruitment rules of the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan.HOW KVS IS MANAGING SCHOOLS The Indian Express report states that the government said KVS regional offices make temporary arrangements wherever principal posts remain vacant.In such cases, vice-principals or senior-most teachers are assigned an additional charge as in-charge principals to ensure administrative work continues without disruption.The ministry also said contractual teachers are appointed for temporary periods wherever required so that classroom teaching remains unaffected while recruitment is underway.- EndsPublished By: Karan YadavPublished On: Jul 31, 2026 16:50 IST