Kendriya Vidyalayas holds regional sports trials before class 10 results, parents cry foul

HUBBALLI: Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) have sparked controversy by advancing regional sports selections to April, ahead of CBSE class 10 results and before class 11 admissions are completed, effectively excluding a section of students at a critical transition stage.The departure from the usual June–July schedule has placed class 10 students—who are officially still enrolled but awaiting admission to class 11—in a grey zone. Though eligible on paper, many face the risk of missing out on participation because their class 11 status is not yet finalised.As a result, some KVs are barring class 10 examinees from taking part in selections, while others are allowing them only after securing written undertakings that they will continue in the Kendriya Vidyalaya system after the academic transition. Parents and educationists say this condition effectively forces students to commit to a school even before results are declared and admission choices are known.Critics argue that holding sports selections in April arbitrarily disadvantages students who plan to join class 11 and other classes in June or July, either through fresh admission or transfer from another KV. They contend that the move restricts students’ freedom to choose their institution after results are announced and amounts to unequal treatment, violating Article 14 of the Constitution (right to equality).Shrinivas Shastri, a member of the Vidyalaya Management Committee at KV No 1, Hubballi, said the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) decided last year to advance the selection schedule to April. “Earlier, selections were held in June–July, after admissions for all classes were completed. Now it has become an injustice for sports-enthusiastic students who join a KV or are transferred from another KV in the later months,” he said. “Officials are acting at will and neglecting students’ interests,” he alleged.The requirement of an undertaking has already discouraged participation, parents say. A postal employee, who requested anonymity, said his daughter, a sports achiever at KV No. 1, opted out of the selection process this year because she was asked to commit to continuing in the KV system. “Since they are insisting on an undertaking, she has dropped out this time. Neither she nor I are sure whether she will continue in KV after class 10. The April schedule also denies an opportunity to students joining class 11 after results—how can selections be held before admissions?” he asked.Umapati Bandakeri, secretary of the KV Alumni Association, Hubballi–Dharwad, said the process lacks transparency. “We have received several complaints from parents and students alleging arbitrary selection and lack of clarity. KVS should hold selections in June or July, once admissions are completed. Otherwise, the current system discriminates against a section of students and violates Article 14 of the Constitution,” he said.Officials at the KVS regional office in Bengaluru defended the move, citing administrative reasons. They said the undertaking is meant to ensure that students selected for regional sports events do not join other institutions later. On students joining class 11 after admissions in June, officials said they could “try their luck next year”.KVS commissioner Vikas Gupta and Bengaluru regional deputy commissioner Shaik Tajuddin did not respond to emailed queries.caption: Selection for KV regional level sports in April itself has triggered criticism from parents, students and sports enthusiasts.