Sainik School Entrance Exam 2026 — Complete AISSEE Guide
Everything about the All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE) 2026 — eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern, fee structure, and preparation tips for.
Sainik Schools are government-funded residential schools that prepare students for entry into the National Defence Academy (NDA) and other defence services. There are 33 Sainik Schools across India, and admission is through the All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE). This guide covers the complete exam pattern, eligibility, preparation strategy, and fee structure for Class 6 and Class 9 admissions in 2026.
What Are Sainik Schools?
- 33 schools across India — at least one in most major states
- CBSE affiliated residential schools with defence-oriented training
- Subsidised fees — significantly cheaper than private boarding schools
- NDA preparation — structured training for National Defence Academy entrance
- Holistic development — academics, sports, NCC, adventure activities, leadership training
- Girls now admitted at all 33 schools since 2022-23
AISSEE 2026 — Exam Pattern
Class 6 Entry
| Section | Questions | Marks | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 50 | 150 | Number system, fractions, decimals, geometry, measurement, data handling (Class 5 level) |
| General Knowledge | 25 | 50 | Current affairs, science around us, famous personalities, geography basics, sports |
| Language (English/Hindi) | 25 | 50 | Reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, sentence formation |
| Intelligence | 25 | 50 | Patterns, analogies, coding-decoding, series, odd one out |
- Total: 125 questions, 300 marks
- Duration: 150 minutes (2.5 hours)
- Mode: OMR-based, conducted by NTA
- Negative marking: No
Class 9 Entry
| Section | Questions | Marks | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 50 | 200 | Algebra, geometry, mensuration, number system (Class 8 level NCERT) |
| Intelligence | 25 | 50 | Verbal and non-verbal reasoning, analogies, series, classification |
| English | 25 | 50 | Comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, sentence correction |
| General Science | 25 | 50 | Physics, chemistry, biology (Class 8 NCERT level) |
| Social Science | 25 | 50 | History, geography, civics (Class 8 NCERT level) |
- Total: 150 questions, 400 marks
- Duration: 180 minutes (3 hours)
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Practice Maths — FreeAdmission Process — Step by Step
- Registration — Apply online at aissee.nta.nic.in (typically October–November)
- Application fee: ₹650 (General/Defence), ₹500 (SC/ST)
- Admit card — Download from NTA website (December–January)
- AISSEE exam — Conducted in January across centres nationwide
- Result — Declared in March on the AISSEE website
- Medical examination — Shortlisted candidates undergo medical fitness test
- Document verification — Original documents verified at the Sainik School
- Final admission — Based on AISSEE score + medical fitness + document verification
Seat Reservation
| Category | Reservation |
|---|---|
| Home state candidates | 67% of total seats |
| Other state candidates | 33% of total seats |
| SC | 15% |
| ST | 7.5% |
| Defence | 25% (children of defence personnel) |
| Girls | 10% minimum |
Fee Structure 2026 (Approximate)
| Category | Annual Fee (Approx.) | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| General | ₹55,000–₹65,000 | Tuition, boarding, mess, uniform, books |
| OBC | ₹55,000–₹65,000 | Same as General |
| SC/ST | ₹25,000–₹35,000 | Significant fee waiver applied |
| Defence category | ₹40,000–₹50,000 | PM Scholarship and other concessions |
List of All 33 Sainik Schools
| State | Sainik School |
|---|---|
| Maharashtra | Satara |
| Kerala | Kazhakootam |
| Rajasthan | Chittorgarh |
| Punjab | Kapurthala |
| Haryana | Kunjpura |
| Uttar Pradesh | Lucknow, Jhansi |
| Karnataka | Bijapur, Kodagu |
| Gujarat | Balachadi |
| Tamil Nadu | Amaravathinagar |
| Madhya Pradesh | Rewa |
| West Bengal | Purulia |
| Bihar | Nalanda, Gopalganj |
| Odisha | Bhubaneswar |
| Andhra Pradesh | Korukonda |
| Others | Imphal, Goalpara, Rewari, Tilaiya, Sujanpur Tira, Nagrota, Ghorakhal, Punglwa, Chhingchhip, Korukonda, East Siang, Sambalpur, Mainpuri |
Preparation Tips
- Mathematics is king. It carries 50% weightage for Class 6 (150/300 marks). Master every topic in your NCERT maths textbook.
- GK needs current affairs. Read a children's newspaper or magazine weekly. Focus on: sports events, national awards, capitals, important dates, famous personalities.
- Intelligence section — practice reasoning puzzles daily. Start with easy ones and increase difficulty. This section is similar to JNVST mental ability.
- Previous year papers are the best preparation tool. NTA releases official papers — solve all available ones timed.
- Physical fitness matters — even though the written exam comes first, you must pass the medical examination. Start building stamina and fitness early.
Based on Sainik Schools Society and NTA AISSEE guidelines. Fees, dates, and exam patterns may change. For official information, visit aissee.nta.nic.in. Last updated: February 2026.
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Start free practiceFrequently Asked Questions
What is the fee structure of Sainik Schools?
Sainik School fees vary by category: General/OBC students pay approximately ₹50,000-₹60,000 per year (covers tuition, boarding, mess). SC/ST students get significant fee waivers and pay approximately ₹25,000-₹30,000 per year. Defence category students (children of ex-servicemen) receive additional concessions. Some states also provide scholarships that can cover most of the fees. Compared to private boarding schools (₹3-8 lakh/year), Sainik Schools offer excellent value.
Is Sainik School only for boys?
No, Sainik Schools now admit girls as well. Starting from 2022-23, all 33 Sainik Schools across India admit girls in Class 6. Before 2022, only 5 schools admitted girls as a pilot. The male-female ratio varies by school — currently, girls make up about 10-15% of total admissions, and this percentage is increasing each year.
Do all Sainik School students join the armed forces?
No, there is no compulsion to join the armed forces. While Sainik Schools are designed to prepare students for NDA (National Defence Academy) entrance, many students choose other career paths. Typically, 25-30% of Sainik School graduates join the armed forces through NDA or other entry schemes. The rest pursue engineering, medicine, civil services, management, and other careers. The disciplined education and character building benefits all career paths.
What is the AISSEE exam pattern for Class 6?
The AISSEE Class 6 exam has 125 questions for 300 marks: Mathematics (50 Qs, 150 marks), General Knowledge/Intelligence (25 Qs, 50 marks), Language (25 Qs, 50 marks), and General Science (25 Qs, 50 marks). Duration is 150 minutes. Questions are objective type (MCQ). There is no negative marking. The exam is conducted by NTA (National Testing Agency) online in OMR-based format.
What is the age limit for Sainik School admission?
For Class 6: The child must be between 10 and 12 years of age as on 31st March of the year of admission. For Class 9: The student must be between 13 and 15 years of age as on 31st March. There is no age relaxation for any category. Birth certificates and school records are verified strictly during the medical examination and admission process.
Which Sainik School is the best in India?
The top-rated Sainik Schools based on NDA selection rate, board results, and overall facilities are: Sainik School Satara (Maharashtra) — highest NDA selection rate, Sainik School Lucknow — excellent infrastructure, Sainik School Kapurthala (Punjab) — strong academics, Sainik School Kazhakootam (Kerala) — consistently high board results, and Sainik School Balachadi (Gujarat). However, all Sainik Schools follow the same curriculum and discipline standards, so the difference is often marginal.