Quality education doesn't have to be expensive. India has several government boarding schools that offer excellent education completely free or at minimal cost. Here are the top 5 free government boarding schools for Class 6 admission in 2027.
Top 5 Free Government Boarding Schools
| School | Fee | Entrance Exam | Total Schools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) | FREE | JNVST | 661 |
| Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) | FREE | EMRS Exam | 401 |
| Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) | FREE | Direct admission | 5,930 |
| Sainik Schools (with scholarship) | FREE (with scholarship) | AISSEE | 33 |
| Rashtriya Military Schools | ₹40,000-60,000/year | RMS CET | 5 |
1. Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV)
Best for: Academic excellence, rural students, all-round development
Fee: Completely free (₹600/month for non-SC/ST students)
Entrance: JNVST — 80 questions, 100 marks, 2 hours
Key features: 661 schools across India, CBSE board, hostel facilities, excellent results in board exams
2. Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS)
Best for: ST (Scheduled Tribe) students
Fee: Completely free for ST students
Entrance: EMRS entrance exam conducted by NTA
Key features: 401 schools in tribal areas, focus on tribal education, modern facilities
3. Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV)
Best for: Girls from disadvantaged backgrounds
Fee: Completely free
Entrance: Direct admission (no entrance exam)
Key features: 5,930 schools, residential facilities for girls, focus on SC/ST/OBC/minority girls
4. Sainik Schools (with Scholarship)
Best for: NDA/Defence career aspirants
Fee: ₹1.25-2 lakh/year (FREE with government scholarship)
Entrance: AISSEE — 125 questions, 300 marks, 2.5 hours
Key features: 33 schools, military-style discipline, high NDA selection rate
5. Rashtriya Military Schools
Best for: Defence career aspirants, discipline-focused education
Fee: ₹40,000-60,000/year (very affordable)
Entrance: RMS CET — 200 questions, 200 marks
Key features: 5 schools, CBSE board, excellent NDA preparation
Admission Guidance at JGPS
JGPS School Joya provides coaching for all entrance exams — JNVST, AISSEE, RMS CET. Call +91 9412137554 for details.
August 2026 Update
JNVST 2027 applications are open until August 7, 2026. AISSEE 2027 notification expected in August-September 2026. Start preparation now for best results. Source: NVS & NTA (August 2026).
