Thinking about a Sainik School for your child? The door is now open for the 2027-28 session. Forms for AISSEE 2027, the entrance exam, are available until 2 December 2026, and the exam itself is on 31 January 2027.
These are English-medium residential schools run by the Sainik Schools Society, and they prepare students to join the defence academies. See other updates on our Admission page.
Quick Details
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Classes | VI and IX |
| Form Closes | 2 December 2026 |
| With Late Fee | Till 6 December 2026 |
| Correction Window | 7 to 9 December 2026 |
| Exam Day | 31 January 2027 |
| Form Fee | Rs. 850 (SC/ST: Rs. 700) |
Is Your Child the Right Age?
This is the first thing to check. Please look at the date of birth, not just the age.
| Applying For | Date of Birth Between |
|---|---|
| Class VI | 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2017 |
| Class IX | 1 April 2012 and 31 March 2014 |
Girls can apply too. For Class IX, this depends on seats being available, and for Class VI, the bulletin asks you to check the seats for girls school by school. So please look at the vacancy list before choosing.
What Will the Paper Be Like?
It is a pen-and-paper exam with multiple-choice questions, marked on an OMR sheet. Mathematics carries the most marks in both classes: 150 out of 300 for Class VI, and 200 out of 400 for Class IX. So we suggest giving it extra practice.
| Class | Questions | Total Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| VI | 125 | 300 | 150 minutes |
| IX | 150 | 400 | 180 minutes |
There is good news too: wrong answers do not lose marks. So your child can attempt every question without that worry.
Which Language Can My Child Choose?
For Class IX, the paper is in English only. For Class VI, you can choose from 13 languages, including English, Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali and Urdu. You can pick any of them, whichever school you apply for.
Sainik School or New Sainik School?
There are 33 Sainik Schools, along with approved New Sainik Schools. They do not all work the same way. New Sainik Schools can differ in fees, education board and language of instruction. Please open the list in the bulletin and read about each school you like before applying.
What Happens After the Exam?
Clearing the exam alone does not mean a seat. Your child’s rank goes into a merit list, and seats are then given through e-counselling. After that come a medical fitness check and verification of original documents. Please keep these documents ready early.
Your Simple To-Do List
- Check the date of birth and school vacancy list.
- Keep your child’s birth certificate and photographs ready.
- Fill in the form before 2 December, to avoid the Rs. 500 late fee.
- Note 11 January for the city slip, and 25 January for the admit card.
These steps are our suggestions, so please follow the bulletin for the exact process.
Understanding Home State Seats
This matters more than many parents realise. Home State means the state where the chosen school is located, and it depends on your domicile. As an example, the bulletin shows 67 of every 100 seats for Home State candidates and 33 for others. So your child’s rank is checked in a school-wise list, separately for boys and girls, and by category.
Important Dates to Remember After the Form
The advance city slip comes on 11 January 2027, and the admit card on 25 January 2027. The exam is at 2 pm on 31 January, so please plan your travel to the city early.
Important Links
| Link | Visit |
|---|---|
| Application Form | Visit |
| Information Bulletin | Visit |
| NTA AISSEE Page | Visit |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we get a refund if we change our mind?
No. The bulletin says the fee will not be refunded.
Can I fix a mistake in the form?
Yes, in the correction window from 7 to 9 December 2026.
When will the answer key come?
NTA says this will be announced later.
Which subject matters most?
Mathematics, because it carries the highest marks in both classes.