Sainik School Reservation 2026 - Know Sainik School Reservation System

Sainik School Reservation 2026

The reservation criteria for Sainik School admission 2026, as stated by the conducting body, are mentioned below:

Sainik School Reservation Criteria Details

• 15% of the seats are reserved for the category Scheduled Caste (SC),

• 7.5% for the category Scheduled Tribe (ST)

• 27% for the category Other Backward Classes belonging to the Non-Creamy layer (OBC-NCL) as per the central list.

• Thus, 49.50% of the seats in Sainik School are reserved on the above-mentioned lines.

• Out of the balance 50.50% of the seats in the Home State/ UT and the Other States/ UT quota, 25% of the seats are reserved for the wards of defence personnel and ex-servicemen.

• In Class VI of each Sainik School, 10% of the total vacancies or 10 seats, whichever is more, are reserved for girls.

Sainik School 2026 Selection Criteria

The above Sainik School reservation system will be implemented at every step of the selection process. The selection of students will be made based on their eligibility and their performance in writing, followed by a medical exam.

• Eligible students who fulfil all the Sainik School eligibility criteria 2026 and submit the application form will be able to sit in the AISSEE 2026 exam.

• Based on the performance of students in AISSEE 2026, three times the total seats, i.e. 270 students, will be shortlisted for the medical exam.

• After the medical exam, a merit list of a total of 90 students will be issued for final admission. Sainik School reservation 2026 criteria will be implemented to shortlist the final students.

Reservation Criteria of New Sainik Schools

Students can refer to the pointers given below to get information about the reservation criteria for approved new Sainik Schools:

• 40% of seats will be filled based on the rank secured by candidates in AISSEE 2026. No Domicile/Category reservation will be considered.

• 60% of the seats will be filled by those who are currently studying in any of the approved NSSs. Seats are to be filled based on rank secured in the School Merit List, and domicile/category reservation will not be considered.

Illustration of Reservation in Categories

67% seats are reserved for Home State/UT, while 33% are reserved for Other States/UT. Students can refer to the image given below to further understand the segregation of seats category-wise:

Sainik School Reservation 2026 – Important Points

• Candidates applying for admission under reservation must mention their category while filling out the Sainik School application form.

• Before applying for the Sainik School seat reservation, candidates must verify that they fulfil the other eligibility criteria mentioned by the admission authority.

• Students will have to provide valid documents in support of their claim of the reservation during the admission process, such as proof of category, domicile, etc.

• In case a candidate cannot provide valid proof of category, they will not be granted admission under the Sainik School reservation 2026.

• Students should also note that Sainik School seats for class 9 are limited and vary from one school to another. The total seats in Sainik School class 6 also varies from one school to another.

Also, check Sainik School Admit card 2026

About Sainik School Admission 2026

All India Sainik School Entrance Exam (AISSEE) will be conducted on January 18, 2026, for admission to classes 6th and 9th in 33 Sainik Schools situated all over India and approved new Sainik schools. Sainik Schools are all-boys residential schools run by the Sainik Schools Society under the Ministry of Defence. The admission authority selects the students based on their performance in the written test and medical exam. Admissions in Sainik schools across the nation will be done through Sainik School admission counselling only. Lastly, they have to submit the Sainik School fees.

State-Wise Sainik School Admission 2026