Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education created to provide a stable and consistent school system for the children of Central Government employees, including the staff and faculty of IIT Madras. The Vidyalaya at IIT Chennai opened in 1964, with Shri S. Ramachandran serving as its first principal. At the time, the school operated with just 24 staff members and a single academic block, gradually expanding as the IIT campus and its residential community grew.
As enrolment increased through the 1960s and 1970s, the school added separate divisions for the primary, secondary and senior secondary levels. Over time it developed into a full co-educational institution offering classes from I to XII and following the academic framework of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), New Delhi.[3] With new classrooms, laboratories and activity spaces built in phases, KV IIT Chennai steadily aligned itself with the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan’s evolving academic and co-curricular standards.
The school grounds also became an important venue for major events on the IIT Madras campus. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi visited in 1974 as the chief guest of the 11th Convocation of IIT Madras, with the ceremony held on the Kendriya Vidyalaya ground. Photographs from the IITM Heritage Centre record her inspection of the guard of honour and her arrival at the dais during the event.[4][5]
Through the 1980s and 1990s, the Vidyalaya expanded its facilities further and introduced Science and Commerce streams in the senior secondary section. ICT-enabled teaching, project-based learning and CBSE reforms were incorporated as they were rolled out. By the 2000s and 2010s, the school had added computer laboratories, a wider range of co-curricular programmes and regular participation in Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan regional academic and sports events, developments that continue to shape its academic life today.
Location
Kendriya Vidyalaya IIT Chennai is located **within the IIT Madras campus** in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.[6]
Academics and Student Life
Kendriya Vidyalaya IIT Chennai follows the curriculum of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) with classes from I to XII. The senior secondary section offers the Science and Commerce streams, along with elective subjects as prescribed by the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS). The school follows a three-language formula in accordance with CBSE norms, with English and Hindi as primary mediums of instruction. Continuous classroom evaluation, project-based learning, art-integrated activities and ICT-enabled teaching form part of the academic framework.[6]
The school has active co-curricular programmes through its house system, with events in literature, art, music, science, social science exhibitions and cultural activities held throughout the year. Student leadership is developed through the investiture ceremony and prefect body, with representatives chosen from senior classes.[7] The annual prize distribution ceremony recognises academic merit, co-curricular performance and outstanding participation in school activities.[8]
Students regularly take part in Olympiads, science exhibitions, literary contests and national-level assessments conducted by CBSE and KVS. Academic performance indicators, including pass percentages and subject proficiency levels, are documented annually in the Vidyalaya Plan. The school also implements KVS initiatives such as Swachhata programmes, the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat activities and National Education Policy (NEP) aligned enrichment projects.[6]
Sports and physical education are integrated into the school timetable, with students participating in KVS regional and cluster-level competitions. Activities include athletics, team sports, yoga sessions and inter-house events held on the school grounds. Annual Sports Day forms a key part of the academic calendar, encouraging physical development and house-level competition.[6]
Infrastructure
Kendriya Vidyalaya IIT Chennai operates on a compact but well-equipped campus inside the IIT Madras residential zone. The school infrastructure includes the following facilities, as documented in the Kendriya Vidyalaya Vidyalaya Plan 2024–25:[6]
**Classrooms** – 34 classrooms across primary, secondary and senior secondary levels.
**Science laboratories** – Four labs: Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Junior Science.
**Computer laboratories** – Two ICT labs used for instruction and examinations.
**Library** – Houses reference books and provides student reading space.
**Resource room** – Supports inclusive education and special-needs learning.
**Music room** – Space for vocal and instrumental training.
**Art and craft room** – Used for visual arts and creative activities.
**Staff rooms** – Separate rooms for primary and secondary staff.
**Administrative offices** – Principal’s office, accounts section and other admin rooms.
**Multipurpose hall** – Venue for assemblies, competitions and internal events.
**Dining and sanitation facilities** – Maintained according to KVS standards.
**Playground** – Used for morning assembly, sports and inter-house activities.
The Vidyalaya also follows the standard Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan model for building layout and safety norms, with periodic inspections recorded in its annual plan and compliance reports.[6]
Notable visits
**Indira Gandhi** — The then Prime Minister of India was the chief guest at the **11th Convocation of IIT Madras** on 9 September 1974. The ceremony was held on the Kendriya Vidyalaya ground inside the IIT Madras campus. [9][10]
**Prof. Prathap Haridoss** (Dean, Students, IIT Madras) — Chief Guest at the Annual Prize Distribution Ceremony on **16 February 2024**. [11]
**Prof. Vignesh Muthuvijayan** (IIT Madras) — Chief Guest at the **Investiture Ceremony** for the academic year 2023–24. [12]
**Dr. N. K. Senthamarai Kannan**, IPS (Retd.), ADGP Tamil Nadu and KV alumnus — Chief Guest at the **Investiture Ceremony** for the academic year 2025–26. [13]
**KV IIT Chennai Alumni (1979 batch)** — A reunion of the 1979 batch, including **Dr. K. N. Satyanarayana**, who later became Director of IIT Tirupati, visited the school for an alumni interaction programme. [14]
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