AISSEE 2027: Sainik School Admission Dates, Eligibility, Exam Pattern for Class 6 and 9

If your child is in Class 5 or Class 8 this year and you have Sainik School in mind, the clock is already running. The All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE) for admission in 2027-28 has not been notified yet, but last year the National Testing Agency (NTA) opened the form on 10 October and closed it within three weeks. When the 2027 notice comes, the window is likely to be short again.

This guide sets out what is already certain for AISSEE 2027, what we can work out from the 2026 information bulletin, and what families should prepare now, so that the form can be filled in one sitting when it opens.

Who Can Apply for 2027-28

The age rule is set as on 31 March of the admission year. Last year’s bulletin used 31 March 2026. If NTA keeps the same rule, the birth-date ranges for 2027-28 work out as below. These are our calculation, not yet notified dates.

For Class 9, the child must have passed Class 8 from a recognised school at the time of admission. Girls can apply for Class 6 in all Sainik Schools; the Ministry of Defence opened Class 6 admission to girls from the 2021-22 session. For Class 9, the number of seats open to girls varies by school, so check the school-wise seat list in the bulletin.

Exam Pattern: Class 6 and Class 9

Both papers are multiple-choice, answered on an OMR sheet, and there is no negative marking. The structure below is from the AISSEE 2026 information bulletin.

Class 6 (150 minutes, 300 marks)

Class 9 (180 minutes, 400 marks)

Mathematics decides the result in both classes: half the marks in Class 6 and half in Class 9. A child who is comfortable with arithmetic and word problems starts with a real advantage. Last year the Class 6 paper ran from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM and the Class 9 paper from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Medium of the paper

The Class 9 paper is in English only. For Class 6, families can choose any one of 13 languages: English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. The choice is locked once the form is submitted. English and Hindi candidates get a bilingual booklet; regional-language candidates get the chosen language with English.

What the Syllabus Covers

The detailed syllabus is printed as an appendix to the bulletin. In broad terms, Class 6 tests school-level Mathematics, reading and language skills, reasoning and general awareness. Class 9 tests Mathematics up to Class 8 level, English, reasoning, and Class 8 General Science and Social Science. The 2027 bulletin will carry the confirmed topic list; we will add it here once it is out.

Qualifying Marks and Seats

The 2026 bulletin sets a minimum of 25% marks in each section and 40% in aggregate to be considered for admission. Read the category-wise rule in the 2027 bulletin carefully, since admission also depends on medical fitness and document checks.

In the 33 older Sainik Schools, 67% of seats go to children domiciled in the state where the school is, and 33% to children from other states and union territories. Within each, 15% of seats are for SC, 7.5% for ST and 27% for OBC (non-creamy layer, central list). Of the remaining seats, 25% are for wards of serving and former defence personnel. New Sainik Schools run with partner organisations follow their own admission policy, which the bulletin lists school by school.

Last Year’s Calendar, as a Guide

Application fee last year was Rs 850 for General, OBC (non-creamy layer) and defence wards, and Rs 700 for SC and ST candidates. NTA may revise this for 2027.

Get These Ready Before the Form Opens

• A recent passport-size photograph and the child’s signature, scanned in the format NTA asks for
• Birth certificate, to match the date of birth exactly
• Domicile certificate (for the home-state quota in older Sainik Schools)
• Caste or OBC (NCL) certificate, if applicable
• Service certificate for wards of defence personnel or ex-servicemen
• A parent’s email ID and mobile number that will stay active until admission

Families comparing options for Class 6 can also look at the JNVST Class 6 syllabus 2027 and our Maharishi Vidya Mandir admission 2027-28 guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Official Links: AISSEE 2027

About the author

Aayushi Kapoor

Aayushi Kapoor is a Senior Editor at MVM Times with more than 500 published articles to her name. Personal finance is her strongest area, and she edits our coverage of exams, jobs and government schemes. Read full profile →

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