AISSEE 2026 Sainik School registration begins for Class 6, 9 admissions; apply at exams.nta.ac.in

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has commenced the registration process for the All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE) 2026 today, October 10. Eligible students can submit their AISSEE 2026 application form through the official website at nta.ac.in and exams.nta.nic.in/sainik-school-society.

The exam is conducted to offer admission to Class 6 and Class 9 in Sainik Schools and new Sainik Schools across India for the academic year 2026-27. The last date to apply for the AISSEE 2026 entrance exam is October 30, 2025. Corrections in application particulars can be made from November 2 to November 4, 2025.

As per the official notice, the AISSEE 2026 exam will be conducted in pen-and-paper mode in January 2026. The duration of the exam will be 150 minutes for Class 6 and 180 minutes for Class 9. AISSEE 2026 results will be declared within four to six weeks after the exam.

AISSEE 2026 registration fee

To register for the AISSEE 2026, candidates from General, Other Backwards Classes (Non-Creamy Layer) [OBC (NCL)], Defence, and Ex-servicemen categories will have to pay an examination fee of Rs 850. Candidates from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) categories will have to pay Rs 700. The last date for successful fee payment is October 31, 2025.

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AISSEE 2026: Eligibility criteria for new Sainik Schools admission

The AISSEE 2026 eligibility criteria for admission to new Sainik Schools is fiven below.

Admission to Class 6 (69 New Sainik Schools)

Category ‘A’ (40% route):

• Candidate's age should be between 10 and 12 years of age as on March 31, 2026, i.e., born between April 1, 2014, and March 31, 2016 (inclusive).
• Admission is open for girls; age criteria are the same as for boys. Candidates should check the availability of seats for girls on the respective New Sainik School website.

Category ‘B’ (60% route):

• The candidate's age should be between 10 and 12 years of age as on March 31, 2026, i.e., born between April 1, 2014, and March 31, 2016 (inclusive).
• Admission is open for girls; age criteria are the same as for boys. Candidates should check the availability of seats for girls on the respective New Sainik School website.
• Candidates should be studying in the approved New Sainik School where they are seeking admission and should have passed or be appearing in Class 5 as on March 31, 2026.

Admission to Class 9 (19 New Sainik Schools)

Category ‘A’ (40% route):

• Admission is only for boys and girls in the 19 New Sainik Schools that have completed Class 8 in the Sainik School vertical.
• Admission is restricted to leftover vacancies not filled under the 40% route of initial projected vacancies and subsequent withdrawals.
• Candidates should be between 13 and 15 years of age as on March 31, 2026, i.e., born between April 1, 2011, and March 31, 2013 (inclusive).
• Candidates should have passed Class 8 from a recognised school at the time of admission.

Category ‘B’ (60% route):

• Admission is only for boys and girls in the 19 New Sainik Schools that have completed Class 8 in the Sainik School vertical.
• Admission is restricted to leftover vacancies not filled under the 60% route of initial projected vacancies and subsequent withdrawals.
• Candidates should be between 13 and 15 years of age as on March 31, 2026, i.e., born between April 1, 2011, and March 31, 2013 (inclusive).
• Candidates should be studying in the approved New Sainik School where they are seeking admission and must have passed or be appearing in Class 8 as on March 31, 2026.