UP Sainik School

Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey UP Sainik School is a unique state-run residential institution established under the aegis of the Sainik Schools Society, Department of School Education, Government of Uttar Pradesh. Unlike other Sainik Schools in India that are funded by the Ministry of Defence, UP Sainik School is fully funded and managed by the Uttar Pradesh State Government.

The primary objective of the school is to impart high-quality academic education, physical training, and military-style discipline to young cadets, preparing them physically, mentally, and academically for entry into the National Defence Academy (NDA) and other defence services. Known for its rich heritage and stellar track record of producing decorated military officers, the institution provides admissions for both boys and girls.

Information	Details
Locations / Campuses	Lucknow & Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh)
Admission Classes	Class 6 & Class 9 (For Boys & Girls)
Examination	UP Sainik School Entrance Examination
Exam Frequency	Once a year (Conducted in December / January)
Annual Fee	Approx. ₹35,000 – ₹45,000 per year (Highly subsidized by UP Govt)
Reservations	Strictly for Uttar Pradesh Domicile candidates (SC, ST, OBC, EWS quotas applicable)
Next Exam	December 2026 / January 2027
Last Date to Apply	October – November 2026 (Tentative)

Who Can Apply for UP Sainik School Admission?

Admission to UP Sainik School (Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey UP Sainik School, Lucknow & Gorakhpur) is open to boys and girls from Uttar Pradesh who meet the prescribed eligibility criteria and aspire to build a career in the Indian Armed Forces.

To be eligible for admission, candidates must:

Be domiciled residents of Uttar Pradesh (the father or legal guardian of the applicant must hold a valid UP Domicile Certificate).
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 UP Sainik School Society: 10 to 12 years for Class VI and 13 to 15 years for Class IX as of 2nd July of the admission year.
Successfully qualify the UP Sainik School Entrance Examination, followed by an Interview (Viva-Voce) and a Medical Examination.
Meet the required medical and physical fitness standards prescribed for defence-oriented training.

The entrance examination is conducted once a year across designated exam centers in Uttar Pradesh, and selection is purely based on merit, state reservation policies, and medical fitness, ensuring equal opportunity for eligible students across the state.

Prospective applicants and parents are advised to refer to the official UP Sainik School admission portal and the latest notification for detailed eligibility criteria, age requirements, syllabus, key dates, and application procedures.

Basis of admission

Admission to UP Sainik School (Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey UP Sainik School, Lucknow & Gorakhpur) is strictly merit-based and governed by a transparent, multi-stage selection process conducted by the school authority.

The final selection of candidates is determined by the following key factors:

Written Entrance Examination: Candidates must qualify in the OMR-based written entrance exam covering Mathematics, Intelligence, English, and General Knowledge.
Interview (Viva-Voce): Shortlisted candidates based on written exam merit (typically 3 times the number of available seats) are called for a personal interview at the school campus to assess personality, communication skills, and general awareness.
Medical Fitness: Candidates must undergo a detailed medical examination and be declared physically fit as per the medical standards prescribed for defence-oriented training.
Final Merit List: Final admission offers are made purely on the basis of combined merit (Performance in Written Exam + Interview), subject to medical fitness, seat availability, and state reservation rules.
Reservation Norms: Seat allocation strictly adheres to Uttar Pradesh state reservation policies (including SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, and Self-Finance/Payment seat quotas).
Verification of Documents: Final enrolment is granted only after successful verification of original domicile certificates, age proofs, category documents, and school records.

** Selection is conducted on an objective, merit-cum-preference basis, ensuring complete transparency for every eligible applicant across Uttar Pradesh.

UP Sainik School Exam Pattern

The entrance examination for UP Sainik School (Lucknow & Gorakhpur) is an offline, OMR-based written test designed to evaluate the candidate’s academic knowledge, logical reasoning, and general awareness. The exam consists of a single composite question paper containing objective-type Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) covering four core subjects.

Overview & Scheme of Examination

Mode of Exam: Offline (OMR Sheet based)
Question Type: Objective Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Total Marks: 200 Marks
Exam Duration: 2 Hours 30 Minutes (150 Minutes)
Exam Standard: Class 5 standard for Class VI entry / Class 8 standard for Class IX entry (CBSE / ICSE / UP Board syllabus)

Subject-Wise Marks Breakdown

Section	Total Questions	Marks	Time Limit
Maths & Intelligence	100(75+25)	100	60 Minutes
English	50	50	30 Minutes
GK	50	50	30 Minutes
Total Marks		200

** 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.

Important Exam Rules

Single Shift Exam: The entire written test is conducted in a single session on a designated Sunday.
Shortlisting for Interview: Candidates who qualify in the written exam based on merit (typically 3 times the number of available seats) are called for the Interview (Viva-Voce) and Medical Examination.
Final Scoring: Final selection is based on the aggregate performance in both the Written Entrance Exam and the Interview round.

How to Apply for UP Sainik School Admission?

The application process for UP Sainik School (Lucknow & Gorakhpur) is 100% online and managed through the official school admission portal (upsainikschool.org).

Parents and candidates can follow this step-by-step guide to submit their application smoothly:

Step 1: Online Registration

Visit the official website: upsainikschool.org.
Click on the “Applicant Registration” link for the upcoming academic session.
Register with basic details (Student’s name, Father’s name, Mobile number, and Email ID) to generate your Login Credentials.

Step 2: Fill the Online Application Form

Log in using your Application Number and Date of Birth / Password.
Fill in personal details, UP Domicile details, academic records, and select your preferred exam city.

Step 3: Upload Required Documents:

Upload clear scanned copies of the candidate’s photograph, signature, thumb impression, and Father’s UP Domicile Certificate.

Step 4: Application Fee Payment

Pay the non-refundable application fee online using Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.CategoryApplication Fee (Approx.)

All Categories (General / OBC / SC / ST / EWS)₹1,000

Step 5: Submit & Print Application:

Review all entered details carefully before final submission.
Download and save a copy of the completed Application Form and Payment Receipt for future reference.

** Important Note: Ensure that the father’s UP Domicile Certificate number is correctly entered during registration, as admission is strictly reserved for candidates with a valid UP residence proof.

Watch our step-by-step video guide to understand the complete UP Sanik Schools application process, eligibility requirements, document preparation, and important instructions before applying.

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