Navodaya lateral entry test for Class 9 and Class 11: apply by 22 October 2026, exam on 10 April 2027, no application fee

Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) has extended the last date to apply for the Lateral Entry Selection Test (LEST) 2027-28 for Class 9 and Class 11 in Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs). The original last date in both prospectuses was 30 September 2026. Both application portals now say the form can be submitted until 22 October 2026. The test itself is unchanged, on 10 April 2027.

Dates at a glance

Item	Date
Original last date (prospectus)	30 September 2026
Extended last date to apply	22 October 2026
Correction window	23 to 25 October 2026
Lateral entry selection test, both classes	Saturday, 10 April 2027

The correction window lets registered candidates fix only category, gender, area (rural or urban) and disability details. Nothing else can be changed, and the prospectus warns that a candidate whose details are wrong can lose the seat even after being provisionally selected. The portals do not state a closing time on 22 October, so do not leave it for the evening.

Who can apply

Point	Class 9 entry	Class 11 entry
Studying in	Class 8 in 2026-27	Class 10 in 2026-27
Date of birth	1 May 2012 to 31 July 2014	1 June 2010 to 31 July 2012
School	Government or government recognised school in the JNV's district	Government or government recognised school in the JNV's district
District rule	Home district and Class 8 school district must be the same	Studying in the district where the JNV is
Test paper	100 questions, 100 marks, 2.5 hours: English 15, Hindi 15, Maths 35, General Science 35	100 questions, 100 marks, 2.5 hours (11 am to 1:30 pm): Mental Ability, English, Science, Social Science, Maths, 20 each

The birth-date range applies to every category, including SC, ST, OBC and Divyang candidates. Only Indian nationals studying in India can apply, and students who passed Class 8 or Class 10 in an earlier year are not eligible.

Seats, fee and streams

• Fee: the prospectuses describe the application platform as free of cost, and every JNV runs a help desk that uploads applications free for parents who need it.
• Seats: the test fills only the seats that are vacant in the JNV you choose. Applying gives no right to admission.
• Class 11 streams: a candidate can choose up to two streams (Science, Commerce, Humanities or Vocational) and up to three JNVs for each.
• Gujarat: the prospectus lists 33 JNVs in the state, plus one additional JNV sanctioned for a district with a high SC and ST population. The notices carry nothing else specific to Gujarat.

How to apply

1. Open the Class 9 or Class 11 registration link from navodaya.gov.in, or go to the NVS pages on cbseitms.nic.in.
2. Keep ready a photograph and the signatures of the candidate and a parent, as JPG files between 10 kb and 100 kb.
3. Fill in the state, district of residence and district of study, and your Aadhaar number, then submit before the last date.
4. Print the registration form, and use the "find your registration number" link if you lose it.

Admit cards are free and are meant to appear on the portal about a month before the test. Selected students are verified for residence, age, school and category before admission is confirmed.

Our blogs cover other school and entrance routes.

CareerBox News Desk, reporting on Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti: its Class 9 and Class 11 lateral entry prospectus-cum-notifications for 2027-28 and the extension notice on the admission portals. Official portal: navodaya.gov.in. Dates and eligibility change; confirm them on the official portal before you act.