Complete Guide About ALL INDIA SAINIK SCHOOLS ENTRANCE EXAMINATION - 2026

Their main objective is to provide quality education with a military environment to help students from all regions grow into responsible future officers and citizens. 

All India Sainik School Entrance Exam is conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to Class 6 and Class 9. There are 52 Sainik Schools situated in India, including 33 old and 19 new schools.

Boys and girls can apply for class 6 admission but they will have to meet all the eligibility criteria. While girls are not eligible for Class 9 admission, only boys can apply.

For cracking the AISSEE in the first attempt,Veda Academy provides the best live courses, free quality study material, daily practice problems, regular doubt sessions, and parent-teacher meetings (PTM) that help students to prepare well for the Sainik School entrance exam.

Admission to Sainik Schools and New Approved Sainik Schools (Simple Version)

You will get admission to Class 6 and Class 9 in the 33 Sainik Schools for the academic year 2026–27 by giving All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE-2026).

The selection will be based on the student performance in AISSEE-2026. Admissions will be confirmed through online (e-counselling) according to the candidate rank in the school-wise, gender-wise, and category-wise merit list (Home State and Outside State). After document verification and medical fitness, the final admission will be confirmed.

The Home State and Outside State category depends on the student home state and the location of the Sainik School selected in the application.

A student is considered a Home State candidate if their home state and the state of the chosen Sainik School are the same.

Example: A student from Gujarat applying to Sainik School Balachadi (Gujarat) will be treated as a Home State candidate.

A student is considered an Outside State candidate if their Home state and the state of the chosen Sainik School are different.

Example: A student from Haryana applying to Sainik School Balachadi (Gujarat) will be treated as an Outside State candidate.

Step-by-Step Sainik School Application Process

By following the step by step process, students can easily fill out the Sainik School Entrance Exam form without making any mistakes. 

• The first step is that check the eligibility criteria by downloading Sainik School guidelines.  

• By visiting the NTA official website, you can fill out an online application form. 

• Application will be rejected, if you submit more than one application form. Submit only one application form for one class (Class 6 or Class 9).

• For registration use a valid email ID and mobile number. All exam updates will be sent to this email and mobile number. 

• Now fill required documents and upload scanned copies such as: 

• Recent passport-size photograph

• Signature

• Thumb impression

• Date of Birth certificate

• Home state certificate

• Category certificate (if applicable)

• Defence or Ex-servicemen certificate (if applicable)

• School certificate (only for students of New Sainik Schools)

• After uploading all required documents, pay the fee online by using Debit Card / Credit Card / Net Banking / UPI.

• Safe application number and password for downloading admit card, checking result and attending counselling.

Important Points 

• After submitting the application, you can not change exam centre, date, or time once allotted.

• As per the official guidelines, the application fee is non-refundable.

• Do not send any official documents by post, everything is done online only.

Approved New Sainik Schools

Admission to Approved New Sainik Schools (NSS) for the academic year 2026–27 is available at:

• Class 6 level in all 69 New Sainik Schools

• Class 9 level in 19 New Sainik Schools that have started Class 9

All admissions are done through the All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE-2026).

The Sainik school admission based on several factors such as:

• Performance in AISSEE-2026

• Based on merit rank

• Medical fitness

• Verification of original documents

There are two categories for Admission in New Sainik Schools:

1. Category A - 40% Seats

• In this category at least 40% seats are filled through the All India Merit List of AISSEE-2026.

• In this category Home state or category is not considered.

• During counselling, students can choose any New Sainik School in India
  
  

2. Category B - 60% Seats

• Students who are already studying in the same New Sainik School, there are 60 % seats reserved for those students. 

• In this category, the selection will be based on the school-wise merit list.

• Home state or category is not considered.

Important Dates ALL INDIA SAINIK SCHOOLS ENTRANCE EXAMINATION - 2026

Here are some important dates for ALL INDIA SAINIK SCHOOLS ENTRANCE EXAMINATION (AISSEE). Look at the table below to understand the important dates which make your admission process smooth. 

Latest Sainik School Entrance Exam Pattern 2026

The Sainik school entrance exam is MCQ type exam. It is a pen and paper based exam for both 6 and 9 class exams. 

Class 6 Exam Pattern 

Class 9 Exam Pattern

Medium of Examination

• The exam is conducted in only English medium for Class 9 admission.

• For Class 6 admission, candidates can select any one language:

• English, 

• Hindi, Marathi

• Odiya, Bengali

• Assamese, Punjabi

• Tamil, Gujarati

• Telugu

• Kannada

• Urdu, or Malayalam.

• Students can choose any exam language regardless of the school they apply for.

• You should select the exam language carefully while filling the Sainik School application form. Once chosen, it cannot be changed.

• If candidates choose English or Hindi they will get a bilingual question paper (English + Hindi).

• Candidates choosing a regional language will get the question paper in that language and English.

• If there is any confusion in translation, the English version of the question paper will be considered final.

Sainik School Fee Structure for AISSEE (Class 6 and 9)

The Sainik school fee varies depending on category and school. Look at the table below to understand the Sainik School fee structure. 

What Are the Eligibility Requirements for AISSEE 2026?

Before applying for the Sainik School admission, it is important to check all eligibility criteria. Without meeting the eligibility criteria, the application may be rejected.

Class 6 Eligibility Requirements

• The candidate age must be 10 to 12 years old as on 31 March 2026.

• Date of birth should be between 1 April 2014 and 31 March 2016 (both dates included).

• For Class 6 admission, both boys and girls can apply.

• Age rules are the same for boys and girls.

• Availability of seats for girls may vary by school.

Class 9 Eligibility Requirements 

• The candidate age must be 13 to 15 years old as on 31 March 2026.

• Date of birth should be between 1 April 2011 and 31 March 2013.

• Girls can apply for Class 9 only if seats are available.

• Age rules are same for boys and girls.

• The student must have passed Class 8 from a recognised school at the time of admission. 

Eligibility Requirements for Class 6 (Approved New Sainik Schools)

There are two categories for class 6 Approved New Sainik Schools Admission that are Category A and B.

(A) Category A – 40% Seats 

• The candidate age must be 10 to 12 years as on 31 March 2026.

• Your date of birth must be between 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2016.

• Both boys and girls are eligible for admission. 

• Seat availability for girls but you will have to check on the school website.
  
  

(B) 60% Seats – Category B

• In Category B, the age criteria is the same as Category A.

• Boys and girls are eligible for admission. 

• The candidate must be currently studying in the same Approved New Sainik School.

• The student must have passed or be appearing in Class 5 as on 31 March 2026.

Eligibility for Class 9 (Approved New Sainik Schools)

• Admission to Class 9 is open only in 19 New Sainik Schools.

• It is applicable for leftover vacant seats only.

 Category A – 40% Seats

• Boys and girls both can apply, but it will be depend on availability of seats.

• The candidate age must be 13 to 15 years as on 31 March 2026.

• Date of birth candidate must be between 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2013.

• The student must have passed Class 8 from a recognised school.

• The availability of seats can be checked by visiting the school official website. 

Category B - 60% Seats

• Admission is open for boys and girls only in 19 Approved New Sainik Schools that have completed Class 8.

• Seats are available only if some vacancies are left under the 60% route due to withdrawals.

• The candidate age must be 13 to 15 years old as on 31 March 2026.

• Date of birth should be between 1 April 2011 and 31 March 2013.

• The student must be currently studying in the same Approved New Sainik School.

• The student should have passed in Class 8 as on 31 March 2026. 

Important Instructions to Follow in the Examination Hall

Before visiting the examination center, you should check all guidelines about examination hall such as, timing, required documents, etc. 

• The exam centre will open 2 hours before the exam.

• Reach the centre 2 hours before the exam to avoid traffic or delays.

• The last entry time is 1:30 PM. After 1:30 PM, you can not enter the exam center.  

• Reporting time is mentioned on your Admit Card.

Important Timings:

You will have to carry some required documents such as:

• Printed Admit Card with passport-size photo and left-hand thumb impression.

• One valid original photo ID (School ID / Aadhaar / PAN / Passport / any government ID).

• One passport-size photograph for the attendance sheet. 

• According to your roll number, sit only on the assigned seat.

• Your exam may be canceled if you try to change seats during the exam. 

• The invigilator will verify your identity and sign your answer sheet.

• Follow all instructions given by the invigilator carefully.

• No electronic devices or banned items are allowed.

• Do not bring mobile phones, books, notes, or any unfair means.

• Smoking is strictly prohibited.

• No safe-keeping facility is available for banned items.

Why Students Choose Veda Academy for Sainik School Preparation?

Every year thousands of students choose Veda Academy for Sainik School preparation because we are a trusted online learning platform. Veda Academy provides expert guidance based on the latest AISSEE Class 6 and Class 9 exam pattern, along with quality study material that makes learning simple.

Through live interactive classes, daily practice problems, regular mock tests, and doubt-solving sessions, students build strong concepts and improve their speed and accuracy.  

Regular parent-teacher meetings help parents track their child progress, while affordable fees ensure quality education is accessible to everyone. 

With consistent results and end to end support from preparation to selection, Veda Academy has become the best choice for students that aim to crack the Sainik School Entrance Exam in the first attempt.