Last updated: 24 October 2026. Thinking of a Sainik School for your child? This page answers the questions parents ask us most often: what Sainik Schools are, who runs them, whether they are government schools, what they cost, whether girls can join, how the new Sainik Schools differ, and how to get reliable updates about AISSEE 2027.
About Sainik Schools
What is a Sainik School?
Sainik Schools are English-medium residential schools set up to prepare students, called cadets, for careers as officers in the armed forces. Students are trained academically and physically for entry to the National Defence Academy (NDA), the Indian Naval Academy and other officer academies, while following the regular CBSE school curriculum.
Who runs Sainik Schools?
Sainik Schools are run by the Sainik Schools Society (SSS), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. The first Sainik Schools started in 1961. Where the bulletin's rules are unclear, the Society's interpretation is final.
Is a Sainik School government or private?
The original (existing) Sainik Schools are government schools, run jointly by the Central and State Governments under the Sainik Schools Society. There are 33 of them across India, including Sainik School Korukonda and Sainik School Kalikiri in Andhra Pradesh. The Approved New Sainik Schools, explained below, are run by partners such as state governments, NGOs and private schools.
Which board do Sainik Schools follow?
Existing Sainik Schools are affiliated to the CBSE and teach in English. New Sainik Schools may follow a different board or medium, so check each school's website. See Is Sainik School State or CBSE?
New Sainik Schools (NSS)
What are Approved New Sainik Schools?
Under a Ministry of Defence scheme, existing schools run by state governments, NGOs or private bodies can be approved as New Sainik Schools. They work under the guidance of the Sainik Schools Society and follow its ethos, but they keep their own management. The full, current list of approved New Sainik Schools is published in the AISSEE Information Bulletin each year.
How are New Sainik Schools different from existing Sainik Schools?
Point | Existing Sainik Schools | Approved New Sainik Schools |
|---|---|---|
Run by | Sainik Schools Society with Central and State Governments | State government, NGO or private partner, under SSS guidance |
Admission classes | Class 6 and Class 9 | Mainly Class 6 |
Board and medium | CBSE, English medium | Can vary by school |
Fees and hostel | Set by the Society and state | Set by each school; residential facilities vary |
Seats via AISSEE | All seats, by state, category and gender quotas | 40% of seats through an All India merit list; 60% for the school's own students who qualify |
Admission to a New Sainik School does not give a right to transfer to an existing Sainik School.
Fees and Scholarships
Is studying in a Sainik School free?
No. Sainik Schools charge tuition and boarding fees, which differ from school to school and change over time. Many families pay much less than the full fee because of scholarships:
State government scholarships, usually based on parents' income, for students domiciled in that state.
Central government (Ministry of Defence) scholarships for eligible cadets, including additional support for wards of defence personnel.
Ask the school you are interested in for its current fee and scholarship details. Our guide to Sainik School scholarships and financial aid explains the options.
Girls in Sainik Schools
Can girls join Sainik Schools?
Yes. After a successful pilot, all Sainik Schools have admitted girls to Class 6 since the 2021-22 session. Seats are allotted under a separate quota for girls, so they compete mainly with other girl candidates. Class 9 admission for girls has been limited: in the AISSEE 2026 cycle it was available only in specific New Sainik Schools, against vacancies. See our eligibility guide and the story of girls joining Sainik Schools.
Is a Sainik School Right for Your Child?
Is it good to send a child to a Sainik School?
For many families, yes. Children get a disciplined routine, good academics, sports, NCC-style training and a strong path towards the NDA and other officer entries. It also means living in a hostel from about age 10 or 11, so think about your child's readiness to stay away from home. Visiting a school on its open days or speaking to current parents helps.
Is the Sainik School entrance exam tough?
The exam syllabus is at Class 5 or Class 8 level, but competition is high because seats are limited and many children apply, especially for the home-state general quota. Children who prepare steadily for several months with mock tests and OMR practice do much better. See our preparation guide and our page on qualifying marks and cut-offs.
Sainik School vs Navodaya vs Kendriya Vidyalaya
These are very different schools with different exams. Read our comparisons: Sainik School vs Navodaya and Sainik School vs Kendriya Vidyalaya. Many children prepare for Sainik, RMS and Navodaya together because the subjects overlap.
About AISSEE and NTA
What is AISSEE?
AISSEE is the All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination, the single entrance test for Class 6 and Class 9 admission to existing Sainik Schools and Class 6 admission to Approved New Sainik Schools. Read the complete AISSEE 2027 guide.
Who conducts AISSEE?
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts AISSEE for the Sainik Schools Society. NTA invites online applications, holds the pen-and-paper exam in cities across India, publishes answer keys and results, and gives the merit list to the Society for counselling.
Is AISSEE common for Sainik Schools and New Sainik Schools?
Yes. One AISSEE application and one exam cover both. During counselling you choose which schools to apply to.
Is admission through AISSEE provisional?
Yes. Being allowed to write the exam, or even qualifying, is provisional. The final admission depends on meeting all eligibility rules, the medical examination and document checks at the school.
Getting Help and Staying Updated
Official updates: check exams.nta.nic.in/sainik-school-society and the email and SMS on the registered contact details. For school-specific information, visit the school's own website.
Queries to NTA: registered candidates can use NTA's online Query Redressal System (QRS) before writing to NTA's email or calling the helpline. The current email and helpline numbers are given in the Information Bulletin.
No documents by post: the whole application is online. You do not need to send any documents to NTA by post, fax or hand.
Beware of admission agents
Neither NTA nor the Sainik Schools Society authorises any agent to get admission or "manage" a seat. Seats are given only on AISSEE merit through official counselling. Do not pay anyone who promises a guaranteed Sainik School seat.
