New Sainik Schools are schools run by state governments, NGOs and private bodies that the Ministry of Defence has approved to offer a Sainik School stream in partnership with the Sainik Schools Society. They keep their own education board, fees and medium, and they follow the Society’s rules for the Sainik School stream. Admission to Class 6 and, in some schools, Class 9 goes through the same AISSEE as the 33 older Sainik Schools, but the seats are filled in a different way, and almost every other detail depends on the individual school.
This page separates the numbers that get confused, explains how admission works, and lists what to check with a school before you rely on its name. Everything is drawn from the Society’s website and the NTA bulletin for AISSEE-2026.
Three numbers that get confused
| Number | What it counts | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | New Sainik Schools the Government of India approved the scheme to set up, in partnership with states, NGOs and private partners | Sainik Schools Society, new schools page |
| 69 | Approved New Sainik Schools admitting to Class 6 through AISSEE-2026, for the 2026-27 session | AISSEE-2026 bulletin |
| 19 | Approved New Sainik Schools admitting to Class 9 through AISSEE-2026, being those that have progressed to that class | AISSEE-2026 bulletin |
The three figures describe different things. The first is the scale of the scheme, the second is how many schools took part in the 2026 Class 6 admission, and the third is how many had reached Class 9. Searches for “how many new Sainik Schools” often return one of them as if it were the others. We have not quoted any other count, because we could not verify one from an official page, and the Society and NTA publish their own lists as they change.
An early list, published as an annexure on the government’s PIB site in 2023, named 23 schools approved under partnership mode at that time. The position has changed since then, which is one reason to use the current bulletin and not an old list.
How the scheme is meant to work
The Society describes the scheme as a way to combine academic rigour with a degree of discipline, with schools set up by private bodies, NGOs or state governments and supported by the Government of India. It lists the kinds of school that can apply: government and government-aided schools, schools run by autonomous bodies such as KVS and NVS, schools run directly by departments such as Defence and Railways, schools managed by public-sector undertakings, NGOs and trusts, and private schools. Its note says allocation is prioritised where no Sainik School exists in the district.
These schools keep their regular board curriculum and add what the bulletin calls the Academic PLUS curriculum, which follows the Sainik School pattern. Their fee structure, board and language of instruction differ from school to school, according to both the bulletin and the Society’s counselling procedure.
How admission to a New Sainik School works
| 40 per cent route | Up to 60 per cent route | |
|---|---|---|
| Who can apply | Any eligible candidate who qualifies in the AISSEE | Only children already studying in that same school, in Class 5 for Class 6 entry or Class 8 for Class 9 entry |
| Merit list | An all-India merit list; domicile and category are not considered | A school-wise merit list; domicile and category are not considered |
| School choice | The candidate can opt for any New Sainik School in India at counselling | The school where the child is already studying |
| Age (2026 rules) | Class 6: 10 to 12 on 31 March 2026. Class 9: 13 to 15 on that date | The same age bands |
The bulletin says a minimum of 40 per cent of seats is filled on AISSEE rank, and up to 60 per cent by children already enrolled, on the basis of a qualifying test by NTA or another body the Society prescribes. If a school cannot fill its seats on the second route, the vacancies go to candidates from the AISSEE list. Class 9 admission to a New Sainik School is only for the leftover vacancies in the 19 schools that have reached that class.
There is only one application for the AISSEE, and it is common to the Sainik Schools and the New Sainik Schools. In 2026 the fee was the same whether a candidate applied to one kind or both. Candidates then register for e-counselling on the portal the Society links from its website.
How a New Sainik School differs from the 33 older schools
| Point | The 33 Sainik Schools | Approved New Sainik Schools |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | The Sainik Schools Society, Ministry of Defence | States, NGOs and private bodies, under the Society’s aegis |
| Merit list | School-wise, by home state and outside state, boys and girls separately | All-India list for the 40 per cent route; school-wise list for the 60 per cent route |
| Reservation by domicile and category | Yes: 67 per cent home state, with SC, ST, OBC and defence quotas | The Society has no reservation policy for these schools. It is as the school management or competent authority decides |
| Qualifying marks | 25 per cent in each section and 40 per cent in aggregate, except SC and ST | 25 per cent in each section and 40 per cent in aggregate for all candidates |
| Girls | Open in Class 6; open in Class 9 subject to vacancies | Eligible to apply, but each school’s policy applies. Check its website |
| Fees and board | Set school by school under the Society’s rules | Vary from school to school |
| Right to move later | Not applicable | Admission confers no right to a seat or transfer in any of the 33 Sainik Schools |
Fees, support and day scholars
Government support is a feature of the scheme. The Society says it will provide fee assistance of 50 per cent of fees, up to ₹40,000 a year, for 50 per cent of the class strength or a maximum of 50 students, on a merit-cum-means basis, from Class 6 to Class 12. That is a ceiling set by the scheme, so check with each school how many seats it covers and how a family applies.
The Society also says that these schools can allow day scholars, with early-morning to late-evening timings, so that day scholars join full-day academic and extra-curricular activities. Whether a particular school takes day scholars, boarders or both is for that school to say, and the bulletin notes that residential facilities vary. For a child of ten or eleven, that is a major question. See our page on Sainik School fees and seats for how the older schools publish fees, and ask a New Sainik School for its fee sheet in writing.
Ten things to confirm with the school itself
- Is the school on the bulletin’s list of approved New Sainik Schools? Check Appendix I-B for its name and website.
- Which Sainik School stream classes does it run today, and does it admit to Class 6, Class 9, or both?
- How many seats are there under the 40 per cent route this year, and are girls admitted?
- Which education board does it follow, and in what medium?
- Is it residential, day, or both, and what are the hostel arrangements for a young child?
- What is the full fee for a child admitted under the 40 per cent route, and in how many instalments?
- Does the Government of India fee assistance apply, and to how many children?
- What does the Academic PLUS programme actually include, week by week?
- What is the refund and withdrawal policy?
- Who is responsible for the child outside class hours?
If you would like to talk through these with someone who is not selling a seat, free counselling is available by phone or WhatsApp on +91 70170 31757. We teach in a classroom in Dehradun and do not run online classes.
New Sainik Schools: common questions
FAQs
Questions parents ask us.
Can't find yours? Ask on WhatsApp; a counsellor usually replies within working hours.
Ask on WhatsAppHow many new Sainik Schools are there?
The scheme approved by the Government of India is for 100 new Sainik Schools in partnership mode. The AISSEE-2026 bulletin lists 69 admitting to Class 6 and 19 admitting to Class 9 in 2026-27.
Are new Sainik Schools government schools?
Not necessarily. They are run by state governments, NGOs and private bodies, approved under a Ministry of Defence scheme and functioning under the aegis of the Sainik Schools Society.
Do new Sainik Schools have day scholars?
The Society says they can allow day scholars. Each school decides, and the bulletin says residential facilities vary, so ask the school.
Is admission only through the AISSEE?
At least 40 per cent of seats are filled through the AISSEE merit list. Up to 60 per cent can go to children already studying in the school, through a qualifying test prescribed by the Society.
Do new Sainik Schools charge the same fees as Sainik Schools?
No. Their fees, board and medium differ from school to school. The Society says Government of India fee assistance is available for a limited number of students.
Do new Sainik Schools admit girls?
Girls are eligible to apply, but the bulletin tells candidates to check the admission policy on the website of each school.
Can a child move from a new Sainik School to an older one?
Admission to a new Sainik School confers no right to admission or transfer to any of the 33 Sainik Schools.
Sources
To see all the schools in one place, read our list of Sainik Schools in India, and for the exam itself, our AISSEE syllabus guide. If you want classroom preparation in Dehradun, see Sainik School coaching in Dehradun.
Admissions
