Sainik Schools
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Sainik Schools are a network of prestigious residential schools in India, established to prepare young students academically, physically, and mentally for entry into the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the Indian Naval Academy (INA). Managed by the Sainik Schools Society under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, these institutions are known for their exceptional discipline, quality education, and holistic development.
While the primary objective of Sainik Schools is to groom future leaders for the Indian Armed Forces, the well-rounded education and character-building environment equip students to excel in any career path they choose—be it engineering, medicine, civil services, or entrepreneurship.
| Information | Details |
| Location / Network | 33 Traditional Sainik Schools across India (+ New PPP Schools) |
| Admission Classes | Class 6 & Class 9 (For Boys & Girls) |
| Examination | All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE) |
| Exam Frequency | Once a year (Conducted in January) |
| Annual Fee | Approx. ₹1,50,000/- per year (varies by state & category) |
| Reservations | State Domicile, Defence, SC, ST & OBC-NCL quotas applicable |
| Next Exam | January 2027 |
| Last Date to Apply | October 2026 (Tentative) |
Sainik School Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply?
Admission to Sainik Schools is open to boys and girls from across India who meet the prescribed eligibility criteria and aspire to build a strong foundation for a career in the Indian Armed Forces.
To be eligible for admission, candidates must:
Be Indian citizens.
Be studying in or have passed Class V (for Class VI admission) or Class VIII (for Class IX admission) from a recognized school at the time of admission.
Fall within the age limits prescribed by the Sainik Schools Society: 10 to 12 years for Class VI and 13 to 15 years for Class IX as of 31st March of the admission year.
Successfully qualify the All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE) conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), followed by a Medical Examination.
Meet the required medical standards and physical fitness criteria prescribed for defense-oriented training.
The entrance examination is conducted once a year across various exam centers nationwide, and selection is purely based on merit, category-wise reservation policies, and medical fitness, ensuring equal opportunity for eligible students from all states and union territories.
Prospective applicants and parents are advised to refer to the official NTA AISSEE portal and the latest admission notification for detailed eligibility criteria, age relaxation guidelines (if any), syllabus, key dates, and application procedures.
Basis of admission
Admission to Sainik Schools is strictly merit-based and governed by a transparent, multi-stage selection process managed under the guidelines of the Sainik Schools Society and the National Testing Agency (NTA).
The final selection of candidates is determined by the following key factors:
Performance in AISSEE: Candidates must qualify in the All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE) by securing the minimum prescribed cut-off marks in the written test.
Medical Fitness: Candidates shortlisted based on written exam ranks must undergo a thorough medical examination conducted by a designated Military Medical Board and be certified as physically fit for military-oriented training.
Category and Reservation Policies: Final allotment of seats is strictly subject to candidate category, domicile rules (Home State vs. Other State quota), and government-prescribed reservation norms (General, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, Defence wards).
Centralized E-Counselling: Qualified and medically fit candidates are allocated seats through a centralized e-counseling process based on their overall merit rank, category, and school preferences.
Verification of Documents: Final admission is granted only after successfully verifying original documents, age proofs, and eligibility certificates at the designated school.
Selection is conducted on an objective, merit-cum-preference basis, ensuring equal opportunity and complete transparency for every applicant across the nation.
Exams Patterns
The All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE), conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is an offline paper-and-pen test using OMR answer sheets. The exam consists entirely of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) designed to test academic proficiency and logical ability.
1. Class VI Exam Pattern
Duration: 150 Minutes (2 Hours 30 Minutes)
Total Questions: 125
Total Marks: 300
Medium: English, Hindi, and select regional languages
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks |
| Mathematics | 50 | 3 Marks | 150 |
| Intelligence (Reasoning) | 25 | 2 Marks | 50 |
| Language (English/Hindi/Regional) | 25 | 2 Marks | 50 |
| General Knowledge | 25 | 2 Marks | 50 |
| Total | 125 | — | 300 |
** Minimum of 40% marks to be scored in each section to be qualified. Students finding their names in the merit list shall be called for the Medical Test
2. Class IX Exam Pattern
Duration: 180 Minutes (3 Hours)
Total Questions: 150
Total Marks: 400
Medium: English only
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks |
| Mathematics | 50 | 4 Marks | 200 |
| Intelligence (Reasoning) | 25 | 2 Marks | 50 |
| English | 25 | 2 Marks | 50 |
| General Science | 25 | 2 Marks | 50 |
| Social Studies | 25 | 2 Marks | 50 |
| Total | 150 | — | 400 |
** Minimum of 40% marks to be scored in each section to be qualified. Students finding their names in the merit list shall be called for the Medical Test
List of Sainik Schools in India
Currently, there are 33 traditional Sainik Schools functional across India, jointly managed by the Sainik Schools Society (Ministry of Defence) and respective State Governments. Additionally, the Government of India has approved 100+ New Sainik Schools under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to expand military-style education nationwide.
| State / UT | Name of the Sainik School |
| Andhra Pradesh | Sainik School Korukonda |
| Sainik School Kalikiri | |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Sainik School East Siang |
| Assam | Sainik School Goalpara |
| Bihar | Sainik School Nalanda |
| Sainik School Gopalganj | |
| Chhattisgarh | Sainik School Ambikapur |
| Gujarat | Sainik School Balachadi |
| Haryana | Sainik School Kunjpura |
| Sainik School Rewari | |
| Himachal Pradesh | Sainik School Sujanpur Tira |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Sainik School Nagrota |
| Jharkhand | Sainik School Tilaiya |
| Karnataka | Sainik School Bijapur |
| Sainik School Kodagu | |
| Kerala | Sainik School Kazhakootam |
| Madhya Pradesh | Sainik School Rewa |
| Maharashtra | Sainik School Satara |
| Sainik School Chandrapur | |
| Manipur | Sainik School Imphal |
| Mizoram | Sainik School Chhingchhip |
| Nagaland | Sainik School Punglwa |
| Odisha | Sainik School Bhubaneswar |
| Sainik School Sambalpur | |
| Punjab | Sainik School Kapurthala |
| Rajasthan | Sainik School Chittorgarh |
| Sainik School Jhunjhunu | |
| Tamil Nadu | Sainik School Amaravathinagar |
| Uttarakhand | Sainik School Ghorakhal |
| Uttar Pradesh | Sainik School Amethi |
| Sainik School Jhansi | |
| Sainik School Mainpuri | |
| West Bengal | Sainik School Purulia |
How to Apply for Sainik School Admission?
The application process for the All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE) is 100% online and managed by the National Testing Agency (NTA) through its official portal.
Parents and candidates can follow this step-by-step guide to complete the application successfully:
Step 01 : Online Registration:
Visit the official NTA AISSEE portal (
exams.nta.nic.in/sainik-school-society).Click on “New Registration” and enter basic details such as the student’s name, parent’s name, mobile number, and email ID to generate login credentials.
Step 02 : Fill the Application Form:
Log in using your Application Number and Password.
Fill in personal details, domicile state, academic background, preferred exam city, and choice of Sainik Schools.
Step 03 : Upload Scanned Documents:
Upload clean, scanned copies of the required documents in the prescribed JPEG/PDF formats:
Candidate’s recent passport-size photograph
Candidate’s signature & left-hand thumb impression
Birth Certificate
Domicile Certificate
Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL, if applicable)
Defence/Ex-Servicemen Certificate (if applying under Defence Quota)
Step 04 : Pay Application Fee:
Pay the non-refundable registration fee online using Credit/Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.
| Category | Exam Fee (Approx.) |
| General / Defence / OBC (NCL) | ₹650 |
| SC / ST | ₹500 |
Step 05 : Download Confirmation Page:
After successful payment, download and print the Confirmation Page for future reference.
Important Note for Parents: Ensure that all personal details (such as Name, Date of Birth, and Domicile) strictly match the official supporting documents (Aadhaar/Birth Certificate). Any discrepancy found during document verification may lead to disqualification.
Watch our step-by-step video guide to understand the complete Sanik School application process, eligibility requirements, document preparation, and important instructions before applying.
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