Sainik School admission for the 2026-27 academic year mandates students to clear the AISSEE Exam conducted by the NTA. The exam process, including dates, e-counseling, and medical fitness test, decides entry for both boys and girls in classes 6th and 9th across 33 traditional and 69 new Sainik Schools in India.
The All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE) is a national-level exam to get admission in the Sainik Schools operating across India. The exam is conducted and managed by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for boys and girls wanting to take admission in classes 6th and 9th for the 2026-2027 academic year. This exam acts as an entry point to the most prestigious Sainik Schools of India, which are known for empowering students wanting to prepare for the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the Indian Armed Forces (IAF).
A detailed knowledge of the Sainik School admission process, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, and more can help students to prepare with their best efforts and score high.
Sainik School: An Overview
Sainik Schools are fully residential English-medium schools run and managed by the Sainik Schools Society under the Ministry of Defence of India. These schools are recognized as the elite educational institutions that prepare students for the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the Indian Armed Forces (IAF).
These schools provide essential education and training to students, equipping them for officer-level entry in the NDA and IAF. Their core objectives include:
- Defence Career Preparation
- Discipline Development
- Leadership Training
- Physical and Mental Fitness
- Academic Excellence
- Character Building
- National Service Awareness
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates applying for 2026-27 Sainik School admission must meet certain eligibility criteria. They include:
1. Nationality and Domicile
The candidate must be of Indian nationality. Also, they must be domiciled and residents of the state where the specific Sainik School is located.
2. Class-Specific Criteria
Class 6 Admission
- Age Limit: 10 to 12 years old
- Education: Must have passed or be currently studying in class 5th from a recognized board
- Gender: Open for both boys and girls
Class 9 Admission
- Age Limit: 13 to 15 years old
- Education: Passed or studying in class 8 from a recognized board
- Gender: Girls are also eligible, but seats for Class 9 are limited and vary by school, so availability should be checked before applying
3. Medical Fitness
Students are required to pass the medical fitness test as mandated by the Sainik Schools. They must have healthy bones, joints, and chest with no severe visual impairment, disease, or physical deformities.
4. AISSEE Exam Pattern & Syllabus
The AISSEE Exam for class 6th consists of 4 main subjects. Each subject is divided into different volumes of marks. Below is a breakdown:
AISSEE exam pattern for class 6th:
- Mathematics: 50 questions, 3 marks each (Total: 150)
- Intelligence Test (Reasoning): 25 questions, 2 marks each (Total: 50)
- Language (English, Hindi, and Regional): 25 questions, 2 marks each (Total: 50)
- General Knowledge: 25 questions, 2 marks each (Total: 50)
Syllabus for class 6th examination:
The syllabus for the 6th-class examination includes basic foundational concepts across Mathematics, Intelligence, Language, and General Knowledge.
AISSEE exam pattern for class 9th:
- Mathematics: 50 questions, 4 marks each (Total: 200)
- English: 25 questions, 2 marks each (Total: 50)
- Intelligence (Reasoning): 25 questions, 2 marks each (Total: 50)
- General Science: 25 questions, 2 marks each (Total: 50)
- Social Studies: 25 questions, 2 marks each (Total: 50)
Syllabus for class 9th examination:
The class 9th syllabus consists of core concepts of Mathematics, English, Intelligence, General Science, and Social Studies. Students can visit the NTA website to explore what concepts they must prepare for each subject.
How to Apply Online?
Here is the whole process:
To apply for the Sainik School admission, visit the official NTA AISSEE portal. Register by submitting the necessary information, uploading documents, paying the fees online, and downloading the confirmation page. Applications for the AISSEE 2026 cycle closed in November 2025, and the exam has already been held, so these steps apply to the next admission cycle. Forms for AISSEE 2027 (academic year 2027-28) are expected to open around October-November 2026 on the same portal.
- Visit the Portal: Visit the NTA Sainik School Society Portal.
- Register: Click on the AISSEEE registration link and select “New Registration.”
- Fill Details: Fill out the online form with your personal details, Sainik School choice, exam city preference, academic qualification, and more.
- Upload Documents: Upload necessary documents on the portal, including:
- Passport-Sized Photograph
- Scanned Signature Copy
- Left-Hand Thumb Impression
- Birth Certificate
- Domicile
- Category Certificate (if applicable)
- Pay the Fees: Pay the examination fees, which are approximately ₹850 for General/OBC and ₹700 for SC/ST.
- Submit and Print: Submit the application form after reviewing it thoroughly. Also, download the confirmation page.
AISSEE Admit Card – How to Download?
Follow the steps mentioned below to download your AISSEE admit card online:
- Visit the Portal: Visit the official NTA AISSEE portal.
- Log in to Portal: Click on the “Admit Card for AISSEE” link on the homepage.
- Information Submission: Submit your Application Number, Date of Birth, and Security Pin.
- Download the Admit Card: Click on “Submit” and download your Admit Card.
Note: Make sure you print the “Admit Card” and take it with you to the examination center for entry.
AISSEE Result 2026: How to Check?
AISSEE result 2026 for the Sainik School entrance exam was officially released on February 27, 2026, on the AISSEE portal, for the exam held on January 18, 2026. To check your result, follow the steps given below:
- Visit the Portal: Open the official NTA AISSEE portal.
- Locate the Link: Navigate the “Candidate Activity” section and click on “Score Card for AISSEE – 2026.”
- Log in: Enter your Application Number, Date of Birth, and Security Pin.
- View and Download: In a separate window, your scorecard will appear. Download it from there and print a hard copy.
Cut-off Marks & Merit List
Here are the expected written exam cut-off scores for classes 6th and 9th, based on trends from previous years. Actual cut-offs are set separately by each Sainik School and can vary, so treat these as a rough guide rather than a fixed figure:
| Class | Category | Expected Marks Range |
| Class 6 (Out of 300 Marks) | General | 230 to over 250 marks |
| OBC/Defence | 210 to 230 marks | |
| SC/ST | 190 to 210 marks | |
| Class 9 (Out of 400 Marks) | General | 280 to 320 marks |
| OBC/Defence | 260 to 280 marks | |
| SC/ST | 240 to 260 marks |
AISSEE Qualifying Criteria:
- Subject-Wise: At least 25% marks are required in every subject.
- Aggregate: At least 40% of the total marks.
- SC/ST Candidates: There are no minimum subject-wise mark requirements, as Sainik School admission depends on relative merit.
- Physically Handicapped: A minimum of 25% must be scored in each subject and 35% aggregate.
E-Counselling & Admission Process
After the candidates pass the Sainik School entrance exam, they must go through the e-counseling process. This mandatory process helps students secure seats based on merit, category, and choice preferences.
E-counselling process:
- Registration: Register on the official e-counseling portal by using the AISSEE application number and password.
- Choice Filling: Select the preferred Sainik Schools or New Sainik Schools.
- Seat Allotment: You will be allotted a suitable school based on your scores.
- Accept or Reject: You are required to accept or reject the allotted seat, or click on “Consider for Next Round.”
- Medical Test and Document Verification: Upon accepting the most suitable seat, you must report to the allotted school for the medical fitness test and document verification.
Fee Structure
The fee structure of the Sainik Schools in India typically ranges from ₹1.15 lakh to ₹2.30 lakh for new admissions. It covers tuition fees, boarding, lodging, clothing, uniform, stationery, diet and meals, and incidental expenses. The fees are paid in a lump sum at the start of an academic year.
State-wise List of Sainik Schools
Here is a state-wise Sainik Schools list in India covering the 33 traditional Sainik Schools (the 69 new Sainik Schools set up under the PPP model are listed separately by the Sainik Schools Society):
| State and Union Territory | Sainik Schools |
| 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), Sainik School (Manasbal) |
| 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 (Amaravathi Nagar) |
| Uttar Pradesh | Sainik School (Mainpuri), Sainik School (Jhansi), Sainik School (Amethi), Sainik School (Lucknow – State-run) |
| Uttarakhand | Sainik School (Ghorakhal) |
| West Bengal | Sainik School (Purulia), Sainik School (Kalyani) |
Conclusion
Applications for the Sainik School admission for the 2026-27 academic year have already closed, with the exam held and results declared; students preparing now should aim for the 2027-28 cycle, which opens on the official NTA AISSEE portal. Before applying, students should carefully review the eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and syllabus for stress-free preparation. Also, by staying updated with the official AISSEE notifications about results, they can prepare for medical fitness tests as well, increasing their chances of admission.
If you want any details regarding the Sainik School entrance exam, consider visiting the EdHippo Academy portal. At our platform, you can stay up to date with admission dates, notifications, and gather essential details about specific Sainik Schools
FAQs
Who can apply for Sainik School admission 2026-27?
Indian students who meet the age, educational, and medical eligibility criteria can apply to take the Sainik School admission 2026-27.
How can I apply for the AISSEE exam?
You can apply for the AISSEE exam by registering, uploading documents, and paying the exam fees on the official NTA AISSEE portal.
What is the minimum qualifying mark in the AISSEE exam?
Candidates are required to score at least a minimum of 25% marks in each subject with an overall aggregate of at least 40%.
How do I check my AISSEE result 2026?
You can check your AISSEE Result 2026 by following the process given below:
- Visit the AISSEE portal
- Navigate to the “Score Card for AISSEE – 2026”
- Log in by entering your details
- View and download your result page
What happens after qualifying for the AISSEE exam?
Upon passing the Sainik School entrance exam, participate in the e-counseling process, followed by an on-site medical fitness test, and document verification.
Also Read: State Board Admission Guide 2026-27: State Board vs CBSE/ICSE, Fees & Process