Sainik School e-Counselling Merit List 2026
The sainik school e-counselling merit list has been officially out to shortlist candidates for the next stages of the admission process based on their AISSEE scores. Candidates are advised to use the links provided below to check their selection status.
| Particulars | Official Link |
| Class 6 | CLICK HERE |
| Class 9 | CLICK HERE |
Sainik School Admission 2026 – Important Dates
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination 2026 for admission to Class 6 and Class 9. Below are the key dates:
Sainik School Admission Dates 2026
| Event | Date |
| Notification Release | October 10, 2025 |
| Entrance Exam (AISSEE 2026) | January 18, 2026 (Concluded) |
| Result Declaration | February 27, 2026 (Declared) |
| E-Counselling Registration | Started March 2026 |
| Medical Examination | April 2026 (Ongoing) |
| Final Merit List | Expected May 2026 |
Sainik School Admission 2026 – Eligibility Criteria
As per the official notification the detailed eligibility conditions for Class 6 and Class 9 are given below, students must meet the following criteria.
Sainik School Admission Eligibility Criteria 2026
| Class | Age Criteria (as on March 31, 2026) | Educational Qualification |
| Class 6 | 10 to 12 years | Must be studying in Class V from a recognised school |
| Class 9 | 13 to 15 years | Must be studying in Class VIII from a recognised school |
Also Read: KV Admission 2026-27 – Registration Date, Eligibility Criteria, Last Date
Sainik School Admission 2026 – Selection Process & Admission Routes
Sainik School admission is conducted through a structured and merit-based selection process. The detailed stages of the admission procedure are outlined below:
Sainik School Selection Process
- AISSEE 2026 Entrance Exam: Candidates must appear for the All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE 2026), which is the primary screening stage.
- E-Counselling Process: Shortlisted students are allotted seats through an online counselling system based on their merit rank.
- Medical Examination: Selected candidates must qualify the medical fitness test conducted by authorized medical authorities.
- Document Verification: Final admission is granted only after successful verification of original documents.
Sainik School Admission Routes
60% Route: The remaining 60% of seats are reserved for students studying in approved New Sainik Schools. Admissions are granted based on the school-wise merit list derived from AISSEE 2026 scores, without any domicile or category reservation.
Sainik School Admission 2026 – Reservation Policy
Sainik school admission is conducted in accordance with the reservation policy prescribed by AISSEE (NTA). The allocation of seats is based on the following categories listed below.
Category-Wise Reservation Criteria
- Scheduled Caste: 15% of the total seats are reserved for SC candidates.
- Scheduled Tribe: 7.5% of the seats are reserved for ST candidates.
State-Wise Reservation
- Home State Quota: 67% of the seats are reserved for candidates belonging to the respective home state of the Sainik School.
- Other States/UTs: The remaining 33% of seats are allocated to candidates from other states and Union Territories. Any unfilled seats under this category are transferred to the home state quota.
Reservation for Defence Personnel
- Children of Service Personnel/Ex-Servicemen: 25% of the total seats are reserved for wards of defence personnel, including ex-servicemen.
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Sainik School Admission 2026 – Application Process
The application process for Sainik school admission is conducted online through the official AISSEE portal. Candidates must carefully complete each step of the application form to successfully register for the entrance examination.
Step 1: Online Registration
- Visit the official website of ALL INDIA SAINIK SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAM
- Click on the ‘Application’ link available on the homepage.
- Read the instructions carefully and click on ‘Proceed’.
- Fill in the application form with details such as personal information, preferred exam medium, school choice, exam centre and parents’ details.
- Click on ‘Save’ to generate your user ID and password for future login.
Step 2: Upload Photograph and Signature
- Upload a passport-sized photograph and candidate’s signature.
- Files must be in .jpg format.
- Ensure that each file size does not exceed 1 MB.
Step 3: Application Fee Payment
- ₹850 for General/OBC candidates
- ₹700 for SC/ST candidates
2. Payment can be made via credit card, debit card, or net banking.
Step 4: Upload Required Documents
1. Upload scanned copies of the following documents:
- Birth certificate
- Domicile certificate
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
2. Accepted formats: .jpg, .png or .pdf
3. Maximum file size: 2 MB per document
Note: Candidates under general and defence categories are not required to upload caste certificates.
Step 5: Download Confirmation Page
- After completing all steps, a confirmation page will be generated.
- Carefully verify all the details entered in the application form.
- Download and keep a copy of the confirmation page for future reference.
Step 6: Final Submission
- Click on the ‘Submit’ button to complete the application process.
- Note down the application number for future use.
Documents Required for Sainik School Admission 2026
Candidates must ensure they have all the necessary documents as specified below for sainik school admission –
- Candidate’s photograph (scanned image, 10 KB – 200 KB, JPG format)
- Candidate’s signature (10 KB – 50 KB, JPG format)
- Left-hand thumb impression (10 KB – 50 KB, JPG format; right-hand thumb allowed if left is unavailable)
- Date of birth certificate (issued by competent authority)
- Domicile certificate
- Caste/Community/Category certificate (if applicable)
- Service certificate for defence (serving) and PPO for ex-servicemen (if applicable)
- Certificate from the principal (for students studying in approved New Sainik Schools, if applicable)
- All relevant certificates (50 KB – 300 KB, PDF format)
FAQs
When will the final Sainik School merit list 2026 be released?
The final merit list for AISSEE 2026 is expected to be published in May 2026 after the completion of medical exams.
Can I change my school choice during e-counselling?
Yes, you can prioritize and change your school preferences during the choice filling window which typically opens in April.
What happens if I am declared ‘Medically Unfit’?
If a candidate fails the medical exam, they are disqualified from the current admission cycle and cannot participate in further counselling rounds.
Is there a fee for AISSAC e-counselling registration?
No, the online registration and choice filling process on the official AISSAC portal is completely free of cost.
Where can I check the AISSEE 2026 medical list?
You must log in to the official Candidate Portal or check the individual website of the sainik school you applied to.
How to download sainik school e-counselling merit list 2026?
The sainik school e-Counselling Merit List 2026 for Classes 6 and 9 can be downloaded from the official AISSAC Portal.