In a significant boost to India’s defence-oriented education system, the Government of India has announced the addition of three new Sainik Schools ahead of the All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE) 2026. This expansion marks another step towards widening access to military-preparatory education and grooming young minds for leadership roles in the armed forces.
The announcement, made by the National Testing Agency (NTA), confirms that new institutions in Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Maharashtra will now be part of the Sainik School network. Students seeking Sainik School admission for Classes 6 and 9 can apply online through the official NTA portal — https://exams.nta.ac.in/AISSEE — until October 30, 2025 (5:00 PM). The entrance test will be conducted in January 2026.
The newly approved institutions are expected to enhance regional representation and create new opportunities for young aspirants across India’s southern and western regions.
Known for its academic reputation, this school will now integrate Sainik School standards into its curriculum. The residential setup aims to provide holistic development — blending discipline, leadership, and academics under one roof.
Situated in the scenic state of Goa, this residential school will cater to students aspiring to join the defence forces. With modern facilities and a disciplined atmosphere, it seeks to instill patriotism, teamwork, and physical fitness among cadets.
This institution introduces a day-boarding model, allowing students to pursue military-style education while staying connected to their local communities. It aims to make Sainik training accessible to a wider section of students from Maharashtra’s interiors.
The AISSEE 2026 will be an OMR-based written exam conducted by NTA for admission to Class 6 and Class 9 in Sainik Schools across India.
For Class 6, the test will be of 300 marks (150 mins) covering Language, Mathematics, and Intelligence, and for Class 9, it will be 400 marks (180 mins) with Maths, Science, English, and Social Studies. The Class 6 exam will be in 13 languages, while Class 9 will be in English only.
Students aged 10–12 years (Class 6) and 13–15 years (Class 9) as of March 31, 2026, can apply. Admissions will be through 40% All India Merit and 60% School-wise Merit routes, with a minimum of 25% per subject and 40% overall required to qualify.
These CBSE-affiliated Sainik Schools, under the Ministry of Defence, aim to prepare students for the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Indian Naval Academy (INA) by combining academics, discipline, and leadership training.
For any queries or assistance regarding the examination, candidates can contact the AISSEE helpdesk at 011-40759000 or send an email to aissee@nta.ac.in.
