NTA adds 3 new Sainik Schools for AISSEE 2026

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has included three new Sainik Schools under the All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE) 2026. Candidates can fill the AISSEE 2026 application form on the official website, exams.nta.nic.in for admissions to Classes 6 and 9. The last date to apply for the exam is October 30 while the payment window will remain open till October 31.

The following NSS have been added to list of sainik schools mentioned in the AISSEE 2026 information bulletin:

In June this year, the defence ministry approved 86 new Sainik schools under the initiative to set up 100 such institutions across the country.

In order to apply for AISSEE 2026, candidates from general, Other Backward Classes- Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL), defence, and ex-servicemen categories will have to pay an examination fee of Rs 850. Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) applicants will be required to submit Rs 700.

Also read Jobs based on caste? Sainik School Jhunjhunu lists permanent posts only for UR, contractual for OBC, SC, ST

AISSEE 2026 application correction window will be opened from November 2 to 4. The exam will be held in the month of January next year.

AISSEE 2026: Admission routes

There are two channels of NSS admissions:

40% route (Category ‘A’): Minimum 40% of the seats under the Sainik School stream in approved NSSs will be filled on the basis of the rank secured in the All India merit list of AISSEE 2026. Domicile or category are not considered for this merit list (except for Kranthiveera Sangolli Rayanna Sainik School, Belagavi).

60% route (Category ‘B’): Up to 60% of the seats in NSSs will be filled by those who are currently studying in any of the approved NSSs. They will be filled on the basis of rank secured in the school-wise merit list. Domicile or category are not considered for this merit list.