Key Highlights
- 344 of India's 1,356 Kendriya Vidyalayas are operating without regular principals.
- Only 1,012 schools currently have permanent principals or Grade-II principals.
- The Ministry of Education says vacancies arise due to retirements, transfers, promotions and the opening of new schools.
- Vice-principals and senior teachers are serving as in-charge principals until vacancies are filled.
- KVS says recruitment is an ongoing process under its prescribed recruitment rules.
Nearly one in every four Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) across the country is functioning without a regular principal, according to data shared by the Ministry of Education in Parliament.
Out of 1,356 functional Kendriya Vidyalayas, only 1,012 schools have regular principals or Grade-II principals. The remaining 344 schools are being managed by in-charge heads while permanent appointments are awaited.
The figures highlight a continuing leadership shortage across India's largest network of centrally administered schools.
The latest parliamentary data suggests that principal vacancies have increased over the years despite multiple recruitment drives and the expansion of the Kendriya Vidyalaya network.
Earlier government data had reported around 200 vacant principal posts out of 1,081 sanctioned positions. Although the number of Kendriya Vidyalayas has grown since then, the number of schools functioning without permanent principals has also risen.
According to the Ministry of Education, vacancies arise regularly because of several administrative reasons, including:
- Opening of new Kendriya Vidyalayas
- Retirement of principals
- Promotions
- Transfers
- Resignations
- Deputation to other departments
- Upgradation of schools
The ministry said that filling vacancies is a continuous exercise carried out under the recruitment rules of the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS).
To ensure that school administration continues smoothly, KVS regional offices appoint temporary in-charge heads wherever principal posts remain vacant.
These responsibilities are generally assigned to:
- Vice-principals
- Senior-most teachers
The government said these arrangements ensure that academic and administrative work continues without interruption until regular principals are appointed.
The Ministry of Education also stated that contractual teachers are appointed whenever necessary to prevent disruptions in classroom teaching while recruitment for permanent staff is underway.
According to the ministry, these temporary arrangements are intended to maintain continuity in both teaching and school administration.
Principals play a crucial role in school leadership, academic planning and administrative management. While in-charge arrangements help schools function, long-term vacancies can affect institutional planning, implementation of educational policies and overall governance. As the Kendriya Vidyalaya network continues to expand, timely recruitment of school leaders remains essential for maintaining educational standards across the country's central schools.
How many Kendriya Vidyalayas are functioning without regular principals?
According to data shared in Parliament, 344 out of 1,356 Kendriya Vidyalayas do not have regular principals.
How many Kendriya Vidyalayas have permanent principals?
Currently, 1,012 Kendriya Vidyalayas have regular principals or Grade-II principals.
Why are principal vacancies increasing?
The Ministry of Education cited retirements, promotions, transfers, resignations, deputations and the opening of new schools as the primary reasons.
Who manages schools without principals?
Vice-principals or senior-most teachers are assigned additional responsibilities as in-charge principals until permanent appointments are made.
Is KVS recruiting new principals?
Yes. The Ministry of Education said recruitment is an ongoing process conducted according to the recruitment rules of the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan.
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