The All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE) 2026 is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to Classes 6 and 9 in both the 33 existing Sainik Schools and the approved New Sainik Schools for the Academic Session 2026-27. According to the notification, the last date to apply online for AISSEE 2026 is October 30, 2025, up to 5:00 PM, while the last date to pay the examination fee is October 31, 2025 (till 11:50 PM).
Eligibility Criteria (As of March 31, 2026)
| Class | Age Limit | Academic Qualification | Gender Eligibility |
| Class 6 | 10 to 12 years | Must be studying in, or passed, Class 5 | Boys and Girls |
| Class 9 | 13 to 15 years | Must be studying in, or passed, Class 8 | Only Boys (with limited seats for girls in select New Sainik Schools) |
Note: For Class 6, the candidate must be born between April 1, 2014, and March 31, 2016 (both days inclusive). Note: For Class 9, the candidate must be born between April 1, 2011, and March 31, 2013 (both days inclusive).
Important Dates
| Event | Class 6 & 9 Admission Dates |
| Online Application Start Date | October 10, 2025 |
| Registration Last Date | October 30, 2025 (Up to 05:00 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | October 31, 2025 (Up to 11:50 PM) |
| Application Correction Window | November 2 to November 4, 2025 |
| Date of Examination (AISSEE 2026) | January 2026 (Exact date to be announced later) |
| Result Declaration | Within 4 to 6 weeks after the exam |
| Official Website for Application | exams.nta.nic.in/sainik-school-society/ |
Application Fee
The application fee must be paid online via Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.
| Category | Fee Payable |
| General / OBC (NCL) / Defence / Ex-Servicemen | ₹850/- |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) / Scheduled Tribes (ST) | ₹700/- |
AISSEE 2026 Exam Pattern
The exam will be conducted in offline (pen and paper) mode and will have objective-type questions (MCQs).
For Class 6:
- Duration: 150 minutes
- Languages Offered: 13 regional languages including English and Hindi
- Subjects: Mathematics, Intelligence, Language, and General Knowledge
For Class 9:
- Duration: 180 minutes
- Medium: English only
- Subjects: Mathematics, Science, English, Social Studies, and Intelligence
There will be no negative marking, and each correct answer carries one or more marks as per the subject weightage.
Step-by-Step Application Process for AISSEE 2026
The entire application process is conducted online via the NTA website:
- New Registration: Visit the official NTA website exams.nta.nic.in/sain
ik-school-society/. - Fill Application Form: Log in using the system-generated application number. Fill out the detailed application form, including academic history, examination medium preference, and the list of Sainik Schools you are applying for.
- Upload Documents: Upload scanned images of the following documents in the specified format and size:
- Candidate’s recent photograph.
- Candidate’s signature.
- Required certificates (Birth Certificate, Domicile Certificate, Caste Certificate, etc., as applicable).
- Fee Payment: Pay the non-refundable examination fee online based on your category.
- Final Submission: Review all the details, submit the form, and download the Confirmation Page and the payment receipt. (The Confirmation Page must be saved and printed for future reference).
Candidates are advised to read the official AISSEE 2026 Information Bulletin hosted on the NTA website carefully before starting the online registration process.
AISSEE 2026 Selection Process
1. AISSEE-2026 written exam: On the designated date, candidates must show up for the OMR-based admission exam.
2. Requirements for Qualification: To be considered for the merit list, candidates typically need to receive at least 25% in each subject and 40% overall. SC/ST candidates for current Sainik Schools are exempt from this criterion.
3. E-Counselling & Merit List: NTA creates a merit list for each school, class, and category. The rank obtained in the Merit List through a required e-counselling process is the sole basis for admission.
4. Verification of Medical Fitness and Documents: Candidates chosen through e-counselling must be in good health and successfully finish the school’s verification process for all original papers, including caste, age, and place of residence.
Helpline Details
For any issues related to AISSEE 2026 registration, students and parents can contact the NTA Helpdesk:
- Helpline Number: 011-40759000
- Email: aissee@nta.ac.in
- Website: exams.nta.nic.in
- Notification: Download
