📢 AISSEE 2027 notification is out (3 November 2026). Apply at exams.nta.nic.in/sainik-school-society by 2 December 2026 (late window 3–6 December with ₹500 extra). Exam: Sunday, 31 January 2027. Fee ₹850 (₹700 for SC/ST). Class VI: born 1 April 2015 – 31 March 2017. Class IX: born 1 April 2012 – 31 March 2014. Free help with the form and a free mock test: WhatsApp 94924 44498.
Last updated: 24 October 2026. Parents often ask, "How many children pass the Sainik School exam?" The honest answer is that passing (qualifying) and getting a seat are two very different things. A large share of candidates qualify, but only a small fraction get admission, because each Sainik School has a limited number of seats split by state, category and gender. This page explains how it works and what score your child should aim for.
Qualifying vs Getting Selected
Stage | What it means | How many succeed |
|---|---|---|
1. Appear in AISSEE | Written exam by NTA. AISSEE 2026 was held on 18 January 2026 at 464 centres in 190 cities. | Lakhs of children apply every year |
2. Qualify | At least 25% in each subject and 40% in total (recent bulletins; SC/ST relaxation for existing schools) | A large share of candidates |
3. Get a seat | Rank within your school, home-state or other-state list, category and gender, through counselling | Only a small fraction, limited by seats |
4. Admission | Medical fitness and document verification | Those who clear all checks |
That is why a child can "pass AISSEE" and still not get admission. NTA publishes qualified lists, but seats are allotted in merit order through e-counselling.
Why So Few Get Seats
Each existing Sainik School admits a limited number of cadets in Class 6 (often under 100) and fewer in Class 9.
About two-thirds of seats are reserved for home-state children, so you mainly compete with children from your own state. See home state and outside state quota.
Within that, seats are divided by category (SC, ST, OBC-NCL, defence, general) and by gender.
Popular schools and the home-state general category usually close at high marks.
What Score Should Your Child Aim For?
NTA does not set one cut-off; the closing marks differ for every school, category and quota each year. As a practical rule for Class 6:
Score out of 300 | What it usually means |
|---|---|
Below 120 (40%) | Not qualified |
120–180 | Qualified, but a seat is unlikely in popular home-state general lists |
180–220 | Competitive in some categories and schools |
220+ | Strong chance in most home-state lists |
These bands are a guide based on recent trends, not official cut-offs. See our AISSEE result, cut-off and merit list guide for how merit lists and tie-breaks work.
How to Be in the Selected Group
Make Mathematics the strongest subject: it is 150 of the 300 marks and the first tie-breaker.
Take at least 15 full mock tests under exam conditions before January.
Never neglect a subject: failing 25% in any one subject disqualifies the child.
Fill school choices carefully in counselling.
Follow our 12-week AISSEE preparation plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of students pass the Sainik School exam?
A large share of candidates reach the qualifying marks, but only a small percentage get seats, because seats are limited and divided by state, category and gender.
Is passing AISSEE enough for admission?
No. Qualifying only makes the child eligible. Admission depends on merit rank, counselling choices, medical fitness and documents.
How many marks are needed to pass AISSEE?
At least 25% in each subject and 40% overall, according to recent bulletins.
Is the AISSEE result valid for next year?
No. It is valid only for that year's admission.
