What is a Sainik School?
Sainik Schools Society operates under the Ministry of Defence. Its schools are CBSE-affiliated English-medium residential schools that combine academics, physical training, discipline and preparation for careers including the National Defence Academy. AISSEE is conducted by NTA for entry to Classes 6 and 9. Admission does not guarantee selection into the armed forces. Approved New Sainik Schools have their own admission categories and school arrangements; check the school-specific seat matrix.
Exam dates and current session
The latest bulletin verified on 1 October 2026 is AISSEE 2026, for admission in 2026–27. The examination was held on 18 January 2026. Results and counselling notices are available on the NTA portal. This examination is over. A verified AISSEE 2027 schedule was not found in the checked official sources: do not treat 2026 dates or age limits as the next admission cycle. Read the latest registration/extension notice before applying.
| Milestone | Official schedule |
|---|---|
| सत्र / Session | 2026–27 |
| परीक्षा / Examination | 18 January 2026 · परीक्षा हो चुकी है / completed |
| स्थिति / Status | Results & counselling notices on the official NTA portal |
| अगला सत्र / Next session | 2027 schedule not verified / कार्यक्रम अभी पुष्ट नहीं |
Who can apply?
For 2026–27: Class 6 age is 10–12 years on 31 March 2026: birth between 1 April 2014 and 31 March 2016, inclusive. Class 9 age is 13–15 years: birth between 1 April 2011 and 31 March 2013, inclusive; the candidate must pass Class 8 before admission. Boys and girls apply according to the available class/school vacancies. Domicile, category, age and educational documents must match the form. New Sainik School routes have additional conditions in the bulletin.
| Entry class | Date of birth / campus | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Class 6 | 1 April 2014 – 31 March 2016 | 10–12 years on 31 March 2026 |
| Class 9 | 1 April 2011 – 31 March 2013 | 13–15 years; Class 8 pass before admission |
AISSEE exam pattern
Class 6: 125 questions, 300 marks, 150 minutes. Mathematics: 50 questions/150 marks; Language: 25/50; Intelligence: 25/50; General Knowledge: 25/50. The paper is available in 13 languages.
Class 9: 150 questions, 400 marks, 180 minutes. Mathematics: 50/200; Intelligence, English, General Science and Social Science: 25 questions/50 marks each. The Class 9 paper is in English. Both use objective questions and have no negative marking.
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 50 | 150 |
| Language | 25 | 50 |
| Intelligence | 25 | 50 |
| General Knowledge | 25 | 50 |
| Total | 125 | 300 |
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 50 | 200 |
| Intelligence | 25 | 50 |
| English | 25 | 50 |
| General Science | 25 | 50 |
| Social Science | 25 | 50 |
| Total | 150 | 400 |
Syllabus and preparation
Use the class-specific official topic list. Class 6 covers school mathematics, language comprehension/grammar, reasoning and general knowledge. Class 9 adds separate science and social science sections. Practise the correct marks distribution and OMR responses; Class 6 and Class 9 are different papers.
Class 6 · Mathematics
Number operations, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio, basic geometry and measurement: use the bulletin topic list to set the scope.
Class 6 · Language & reasoning
Reading comprehension, vocabulary and grammar; reasoning exercises such as series, analogy and figure-based problems.
Class 6 · General knowledge
Prepare the prescribed everyday science and general-awareness topics; practise the official level of questions.
Class 9 · Five subjects
Mathematics carries 200 of 400 marks. Prepare English, Intelligence, General Science and Social Science alongside it; use the separate Class 9 topic list.
Application, selection and fees
Apply only through the link announced by NTA: register, enter the correct class and personal details, upload the required photograph/signature/certificates, pay the notified fee and save the confirmation page. Download the admit card when released. After the result, follow AISSAC counselling registration, choice filling, allotment, medical examination and document verification. Qualifying the test alone does not secure a seat. Tuition, boarding, deposits and scholarships depend on the school and category; obtain the current school fee notice before accepting a seat.
- Read the latest session prospectus and match age, school class, residence and category requirements.
- Use the official application route and enter the correct target school/class.
- Upload the prescribed documents, complete the notified payment and save confirmation/receipt.
- Download the admit card, check centre/reporting instructions and practise the correct paper pattern.
- After shortlisting, complete the applicable counselling or interview, medical and original-document checks.
Documents to keep ready
Use this checklist to prepare; the official application may request additional or different formats.
- Birth certificate / accepted date-of-birth proof
- School marksheet and required study/pass certificate
- Domicile / residence certificate where applicable
- Category / OBC-NCL / EWS or defence-service documents where applicable
- Recent photograph, signatures and application confirmation
- Transfer certificate and medical fitness documents at the admission stage, as instructed
Fees, concessions and budgeting
AISSEE 2026 application fee in the bulletin: ₹850 for General, OBC-NCL and wards of defence personnel/ex-servicemen; ₹700 for SC/ST. The fee for a future cycle must be checked separately. This is the examination application charge, not the school’s annual fee.
Application fee
Paid during form submission; keep the receipt.
School fee
Confirm tuition, boarding, deposits and the payment period with the selected school.
Merit, reservation and final admission
Existing Sainik Schools require at least 25% in each subject and 40% overall; the bulletin gives a different minimum-mark rule for SC/ST candidates. Approved New Sainik Schools apply the 25%/40% requirement to all candidates, including SC/ST. Check school type, domicile/category reservation and the current seat matrix before counselling.
A practical preparation plan
Start with the syllabus
Mark the official topics for your own class and stream before choosing study material.
Build subject basics
Study the prescribed school level; solve examples before moving to timed practice.
Practise full papers
Use the correct time limit and marks distribution. Review every wrong answer.
Prepare for admission
Keep documents ready and follow the actual interview/counselling and medical instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Are AISSEE and the UP Sainik test the same?
They have separate applications, exam authorities and paper patterns.
Can girls apply?
Girls can apply subject to notified class/school vacancies and eligibility.
Does qualification secure admission?
Admission also depends on counselling, merit, vacancies, medical fitness and document verification.
How long are the papers?
The 2026 bulletin gives 150 minutes for Class 6 and 180 minutes for Class 9.
When will the 2027 form open?
The checked official sources do not establish the 2027 schedule. Follow the next NTA notification.
Official sources and verification
Checked on 2 October 2026. This independent guide summarises the cited school material. The current official prospectus and later notices take precedence.
Share this guide
Your next step starts with the right information.
Read the current notification and check eligibility before applying.