MP HC flags absence of EWS quota in Navodaya schools:2019 mandate cited; Centre asked to explain within a week

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has sought a response from the central government over the non-inclusion of Economically Weaker Section (EWS) students in admissions to more than 650 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) across the country. The court has directed the Centre to file its reply within one week. The matter was heard on Tuesday by a single bench of Justice Vishal Mishra, which issued notices to all respondents and fixed the next hearing after a week. Petition challenges absence of EWS quota The petition has been filed by Dhiraj Tiwari on behalf of his ward, Navya Tiwari, a resident of Jabalpur. It argues that while Navodaya Vidyalayas were set up to provide quality education to talented students from rural and underprivileged backgrounds, the current admission policy does not include any provision for the EWS category. ‘EWS students left out despite other reservations’ The plea states that admissions in Navodaya schools include reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), rural students, girls, and children with disabilities. However, there is no reservation or separate provision for EWS students, effectively excluding them from the system. Constitutional provision cited The petitioner has referred to the 103rd Constitutional Amendment (2019), which introduced Article 15(6), allowing up to 10% reservation for EWS in educational institutions. The plea contends that the absence of such a provision in Navodaya Vidyalayas amounts to ignoring constitutional mandates. ‘Same ministry, different rules’ Advocate Vikas Mishra, appearing for the petitioner, told the court that Kendriya Vidyalayas—also run by the Union Ministry of Education—provide reservation benefits to EWS students. In contrast, Navodaya Vidyalayas under the same ministry have no such provision. The petition calls this disparity discriminatory and inconsistent. Supreme Court judgment cited The plea also refers to the February 10, 2026 judgment in Atharv Chaturvedi vs State of Madhya Pradesh, where concerns were raised over limited opportunities for EWS students. It notes that around 2.9 lakh students study in Navodaya Vidyalayas, and many EWS students have been deprived of opportunities since 2019. ‘Issue affects lakhs of students’ Advocate Mishra said the case goes beyond an individual grievance and concerns lakhs of students across the country. He added that if necessary, the matter will be taken to the Supreme Court. The Deputy Solicitor General appeared on behalf of the central government during the hearing.