All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination
How does AISSEE work for Class 6 and Class 9 admission to Sainik Schools, and is my child eligible?
AISSEE is the entrance test for Class VI and Class IX in the 33 Sainik Schools, which the Sainik Schools Society runs under the Ministry of Defence. They are English-medium residential schools affiliated to CBSE, and they prepare cadets for the National Defence Academy, the Indian Naval Academy and other officer academies. The same test also fills the Sainik School seats in approved New Sainik Schools (Class VI in 69 of them and Class IX in 19 for 2026-27). NTA runs the test; admission is by e-counselling on the merit list, a medical and a document check. For AISSEE 2026, Class VI was open to children born from 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2016 and Class IX to children born from 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2013, girls included. The paper is on an OMR sheet with no negative marking.
This page may be out of date. It was due for a re-check on 31 January 2027. Confirm every rule with the official source before acting on it.
The 2026 exam was on 18 January 2026. NTA had not posted the AISSEE 2027 bulletin on 2 November 2026; its calendar proposes the 2027 exam for 31 January 2027.
Exam at a glance
- Conducted by
- NTA runs the test; the Sainik Schools Society (Ministry of Defence) runs admission by e-counselling[1]
- Schools
- 33 Sainik Schools; for 2026-27 also Class VI in 69 and Class IX in 19 approved New Sainik Schools[1]
- Class VI birth dates (2026)
- 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2016, both days included[1]
- Class IX birth dates (2026)
- 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2013, both days included[1]
- Applications (2026)
- 10 October to 9 November 2025, 5 pm (after NTA's extension)[2]
- Exam (2026)
- 18 January 2026, OMR sheet, no negative marking[2]
- Qualifying marks
- 25% in each section and 40% overall[1]
- Fee (2026)
- Rs 850 (General, OBC-NCL, defence wards); Rs 700 (SC, ST)[1]
AISSEE Class VI: how the 300 marks split
| Section | Questions | Marks each | Total marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language | 25 | 2 | 50 |
| Mathematics | 50 | 3 | 150 |
| Intelligence | 25 | 2 | 50 |
| General Knowledge | 25 | 2 | 50 |
| Total | 125 | - | 300 |
Class VI can take the paper in any of 13 languages listed in the bulletin, including English and Hindi.[1]
| Section | Questions | Marks each | Total marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 50 | 4 | 200 |
| Intelligence | 25 | 2 | 50 |
| English | 25 | 2 | 50 |
| General Science | 25 | 2 | 50 |
| Social Science | 25 | 2 | 50 |
| Total | 150 | - | 400 |
Class IX is in English only.[1]
| Point | Sainik Schools (33) | New Sainik Schools |
|---|---|---|
| Merit list | School-wise and category-wise (home state and other state), separately for boys and girls | All-India list for at least 40% of seats; up to 60% for the school's own students |
| Domicile and category | Counted | Not counted (one school, Belagavi, is an exception) |
| Qualifying marks | 25% each section, 40% overall; SC and ST exempt | 25% each section, 40% overall, for everyone |
| Board, fees, boarding | CBSE, residential | Vary by school; check the school's website |
Source[1]
- It suits a child who will live away from home in a boarding school and whose family wants an early start towards NDA or another officer academy.
- Your home state matters: 67% of a Sainik School's seats go to children domiciled in the state where it stands, so the school you pick changes the competition.
- New Sainik Schools differ from school to school in board, fees, medium and boarding, so read the school's own admission policy before you choose it.
- A New Sainik School seat gives no right to move to one of the 33 Sainik Schools later.
Source[1]
- 67% of seats for children domiciled in the school's state or UT, 33% for children from other states and UTs.
- Inside each of those, 15% for SC, 7.5% for ST and 27% for OBC (non-creamy layer, central list).
- Of the remaining 50.5% of seats, the bulletin keeps 25% of the seats for wards of serving defence personnel and ex-servicemen.
- In the other-states quota, one state or UT can take at most 25% of the seats.
- For girls in Class VI, 10% of the class or 10 seats, whichever is higher.
- The bulletin says this reservation is subject to an appeal pending at the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court.
Source[1]
After the result you register again on the Sainik Schools e-counselling portal with your AISSEE application number. Seats go by your rank in the school-wise, class-wise, gender-wise and category-wise merit list, then a medical by the competent medical authority and a check of original documents. Passing the test alone does not guarantee a seat.[1]
Tips and tricks
- Mathematics carries 150 of 300 marks in Class VI (3 marks a question) and 200 of 400 in Class IX (4 marks a question), so it is half the marks in both papers.[1]
- With no negative marking, answer every question.[1]
- Check the seats for your class, category and gender in your chosen school before you apply, especially for girls in Class IX.[1]
- Keep the birth and domicile certificates ready; the school checks the originals at admission.[1]
Questions people ask
Who is eligible for AISSEE?
For AISSEE 2026, Class VI applicants had to be 10 to 12 on 31 March 2026 (born 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2016) and Class IX applicants 13 to 15 (born 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2013). Girls can apply for both classes. Class IX applicants must have passed Class VIII by the time of admission.[1]
What are the qualifying marks in AISSEE?
At least 25% in each section and 40% overall. For Sainik Schools, SC and ST candidates are exempt from this rule; for New Sainik Schools it applies to everyone.[1]
Is there negative marking in AISSEE?
No. Wrong answers cost nothing.[1]
Can girls apply for Sainik Schools?
Yes, for Class VI, and for Class IX where a school has vacancies for girls.[1]
What is the AISSEE exam pattern?
Class VI: 125 questions for 300 marks in 150 minutes (Language, Mathematics, Intelligence, General Knowledge). Class IX: 150 questions for 400 marks in 180 minutes (Mathematics, Intelligence, English, General Science, Social Science).[1]
In which language can my child write AISSEE?
Class VI can choose any of 13 languages listed in the bulletin, including English and Hindi. Class IX is in English only.[1]
What is the AISSEE application fee?
Rs 850 for General, OBC (NCL) and defence wards, and Rs 700 for SC and ST, for 2026.[1]
Connected pages
- Related · ExamRMS CET 2026RMS CET 2026 for the Rashtriya Military Schools: Class 6 and 9 birth-date windows, paper pattern, qualifying marks, the 13 Dec test and what comes after.
- Related · ExamRIMC Entrance Exam December 2026 (RIMCEE)RIMCEE on 6 December 2026: the new 12½ to 14 age band (born 2 July 2013 to 1 January 2015), the Class VII rule, three papers and the 50% pass mark.
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Official and partner links
- Official bodyNTA AISSEE portal (official)
Sources
- Information Bulletin, All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination 2026 (AISSEE-2026), 88 pages, National Testing Agency. p1; p2 Step 2; p6 para 1.2; pp7-8 para 2.1; p10 table 2.2; p11 para 2.3; p15 para 4.4; p17 para 5.1; pp20-21 para 6.2. Accessed 2 November 2026.
- Public Notice 30.10.2025: Extension of last date for the AISSEE-2026 online application, National Testing Agency. p1. Accessed 2 November 2026.
- NTA Examination Calendar, published 16 September 2026, National Testing Agency. AISSEE row. Accessed 2 November 2026.
Found an error or a newer rule? Tell us through the corrections page. Updated 2 November 2026.