Overview
The All India Sainik Schools Entrance Exam (AISSEE) is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the Sainik Schools Society, Ministry of Defence. It is the entrance test for admission to Class 6 and Class 9 in Sainik Schools across the country, including both the older Sainik Schools and the newer ones set up under the public-private partnership scheme. For the 2026 cycle, the exam was held on 18 January 2026.
Who can apply
Age limits are fixed as on 31 March of the admission year. For the 2026 cycle:
Class 6 admission: candidates aged 10 to 12 years.
Class 9 admission: candidates aged 13 to 15 years.
Both boys and girls can apply, and reservations apply for defence personnel's wards, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other categories as notified by each school.
Exam pattern
AISSEE is a pen-and-paper, OMR-based objective test. There is no negative marking for wrong answers in either class.
| Class | Subjects tested | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Class 6 | Mathematics, Language, Intelligence, General Knowledge | Pen-and-paper (OMR) |
| Class 9 | Mathematics, Intelligence, English, General Science, Social Studies | Pen-and-paper (OMR) |
Mathematics carries the largest share of marks in both classes.
Syllabus
The Class 6 paper is based on the Class 5 school syllabus, and the Class 9 paper is based on the Class 8 syllabus, covering the subjects listed above at the level a student would have studied by that stage.
Marking and results
There is no negative marking; unattempted and wrong answers simply score zero. For the 2026 cycle, NTA declared the AISSEE result in February 2026. Selection for admission is based on the merit list drawn up from AISSEE scores, subject to medical fitness and document verification.
Important dates
For the 2026 cycle (admission to the 2026–27 academic session):
Online registration closed on 9 November 2025 (fee payment by 10 November 2025).
Exam held on 18 January 2026.
Result declared in late February 2026.
AISSAC e-counselling ran in rounds from 22 February 2026, with the final round completing by 25 May 2026.
Dates for each year's cycle are notified afresh on the NTA AISSEE portal.
Fees
An online application fee applies, with a lower fee for SC/ST candidates than for other categories. Check the current information bulletin on the NTA AISSEE portal for the exact amount before applying.
How to apply
Applications are submitted online at exams.nta.nic.in/sainik-school-society. Candidates register with basic details, fill in personal, educational and communication details, upload photograph, signature and other required documents in the specified format, and pay the fee online to complete the application.
After the exam
Candidates who clear AISSEE go through the All India Sainik Schools Admission Counselling (AISSAC), run online at pesa.ncog.gov.in. This is a separate, multi-round e-counselling process where candidates choose preferred Sainik Schools, seats are allotted by merit and category, and admission is confirmed after document verification and medical fitness checks at the allotted school.
Preparation tips
Since the paper is drawn from the Class 5 or Class 8 syllabus depending on the class applied for, revising the relevant NCERT-aligned school syllabus thoroughly is the most direct preparation. Because there is no negative marking, attempting every question is safe; time management across sections and practising with previous years' AISSEE papers helps with speed and familiarity with the question style.
Is there negative marking in AISSEE?
No. Wrong answers are not penalised in either Class 6 or Class 9 papers; only correct answers earn marks.
What is the age limit for AISSEE Class 6 and Class 9?
For the 2026 cycle, Class 6 applicants had to be 10–12 years old and Class 9 applicants 13–15 years old, as on 31 March 2026. Age limits are set afresh for each cycle.
Is AISSEE the same as counselling for a Sainik School seat?
No. AISSEE is only the entrance exam. Selected candidates must separately go through the AISSAC e-counselling process to be allotted a specific Sainik School seat.
Which body conducts AISSEE?
The National Testing Agency conducts AISSEE on behalf of the Sainik Schools Society, Ministry of Defence.