AISSEE 2026: Admit Card (Out), Exam Date, Result, Selection Process

Latest Updates

NTA has released the AISSEE 2026 admit card on the official website, exams.nta.nic.in/sainik-school-society.

AISSEE 2026 exam is scheduled to be conducted on 18 January 2026.

The All India Sainik School Entrance Exam 2026 is a national-level test conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). AISSEE 2026 is scheduled to be held on 18 January 2026. The notification was released in September 2025, and the application process was conducted in October 2025. The result is expected to be announced within six weeks after the exam, likely in February–March 2026. Admission to Class 6 and Class 9 in Sainik Schools spread all over India, governed by the Ministry of Defence, is granted through this exam.

Around 3.5 lakh students appeared in AISSEE 2025, and a similar number of candidates is expected to appear in AISSEE 2026 as well. It is an offline examination covering subjects such as Maths, Intelligence, Language, and General Knowledge for Class 6, and Maths, Science, English, and Social Science for Class 9. The difficulty level for Class 6 ranges from Easy to Moderate, while for Class 9 it ranges from Moderate to Tough. The AISSEE 2026 score will be considered by 33 existing Sainik Schools and 18 new Sainik Schools approved under the government model for admissions.

AISSEE 2026: Quick Highlights

The quick highlights of AISSEE 2026 exam details are mentioned below.

AISSEE Application/Registration Process 2026

The AISSEE 2026 application/registration procedure was conducted online through the official NTA portal and involved several stages such as registration, upload of documents, selection of schools, and fee payment. The application process is now complete, the admit card has been released, and the AISSEE 2026 exam is scheduled for 18 January 2026. Below is a simple step-by-step overview of how the registration process was carried out.

Step I: Registration

• Enter name, parents’ names, and date of birth as per records
• Provide valid ID (last 4 digits of Aadhaar/PAN/Passport/School ID)
• Use a valid mobile number and email ID for OTP verification
• Enter the complete address with PIN code

Step II: Fill Application Form

• Fill in all details carefully and edit before final submission
• Note: Mobile number and email ID could not be changed after payment
• Select the correct category (as per Central OBC-NCL list, if applicable)

Step III: School & Exam City Selection

• Choose preferred Sainik Schools (refer to Chapter 2 of the bulletin)
• Select up to four exam cities (Appendix IV), which could be outside the school’s state

Step IV. Upload Documents

• Photo: JPG, 10–200 KB, recent with white background, 80% face visible
• Signature: JPG, 4–30 KB, in black ink (not in capital letters)
• Left Thumb Impression: JPG, 10–50 KB, in blue ink
• Certificates: PDF, 50–300 KB

Step V. Pay Examination Fee

• Payment was made via Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI through the SBI gateway
• Payment status had to show “OK” and generate a Confirmation Page
• Applications without a confirmation page were considered incomplete

Step VI. Keep Records

• Candidates were advised to save and print the confirmation page and payment receipt
• No hard copies were required to be sent to NTA

AISSEE 2026 Application Fees

Candidates were required to pay a non-refundable application fee based on their category. The fee was collected online through the official NTA portal. Category-wise fee details are given below:

AISSEE Eligibility Criteria 2026

For admission through the AISSEE 2026 application, candidates have to satisfy certain age, class, and academic requirements as per the AISSEE Eligibility Criteria 2026, which vary in the case of admission into the existing Sainik Schools or the newly approved ones. The table then goes on to explain in detail the age limits, date of birth ranges, and the requisite qualifying academic class for each category and level of class.

AISSEE Exam Pattern 2026

AISSEE Exam Pattern 2026 is different for Class VI and Class IX students. The test is held offline (OMR-based), and all questions are in a multiple-choice format. There is no negative marking, and a candidate must score at least 25% marks in each subject and 40% overall to qualify. The tables below describe the subject-wise question distribution, marking systems, and durations for both classes.

Class VI

The exam pattern for Class VI is mentioned in the table below:

Class IX

The exam pattern for Class IX is mentioned in the table below:

AISSEE 2026 Preparation Tips

To do well in the AISSEE 2026 exam, students need to prepare with focus and discipline. It’s important to understand the exam pattern and plan studies smartly. As competition is growing every year, students should follow a proper study plan, use the right books, and practice past papers. Staying healthy and confident also helps. The tips below will guide Class 6 and Class 9 students to prepare better.

• Know the Exam Pattern: Understand the syllabus, marking scheme, and paper format.
• Follow a Daily Study Schedule: Stick to a regular timetable for all subjects.
• Solve Previous Year Papers: Practice old papers to improve speed and understand question types.
• Take Weekly Mock Tests: Helps in time management and tracking your progress.
• Revise Weekly: Regular revision helps remember concepts better.
• Use NCERT Books: Rely on NCERT for strong basics in Maths and English.
• Improve General Knowledge: Read newspapers and GK books daily.
• Focus on Weak Areas: Identify tough topics and keep improving on them.

Guidelines for the Exam Day and Dress Code

To make the AISSEE 2026 exam experience easy and stress-free, certain rules and instructions have been made to be followed by candidates appearing for the test on the exam day. Below are the key guidelines for the candidate before he or she enters the exam hall.

• Reach the Centre Early: Arrive in the centre at least 30-60 minutes before reporting time. 
• Carry Admit Card: Carry the printout copy of the AISSEE admit card and a valid ID proof.
• Dress code to be followed:

1. Wear very comfortable and simple clothes (preferably school uniform, if prescribed).
2. Do not wear jackets or caps, and certainly no digital watches or metallic accessories.

• Stationery to Carry:

1. Black/Blue Ballpoint Pen
2. Water Bottle - Transparent
3. Pouch - Transparent with only permitted items

• Listen to the Invigilators: Follow the instructions given by exam staff thoroughly. 
• COVID Guidelines (if applicable): Carry face masks, use sanitisers, and maintain social distancing.

Things to Avoid During the Exam

To maintain examination integrity and prevent any disqualification, candidates must be aware of actions that have been strictly prohibited during AISSEE 2026. Below is a list of major things candidates should strictly avoid for their smooth and fair examination experience.

• Carry no mobile phones, calculators, or any kind of electronic gadgets.
• Avoid the practice of borrowing any kind of stationery from fellow aspirants during the exam.
• Never Panic! If you do not know the answer at first, simply leave the question and come back to it later.
• Never waste too much time on a particular question.
• Avoid marking multiple answers, where clarity in answers matters the most, though there is no negative marking.
• Absolutely no talking or signalling may cause disqualification.
• Do not exit the examination hall until your time is over unless you are allowed to.
• Avoid suspicious/prohibited clothes/accessories.

AISSEE Admit Card 2026

The AISSEE 2026 admit card is mandatory to appear for the entrance examination scheduled on 18 January 2026. It has been issued only to candidates who successfully completed the application process and fulfilled the eligibility criteria. Candidates must download the admit card using their Application Number and Password from 12 January 2026.

Important Notes:

• Carrying the admit card to the exam centre is compulsory
• No duplicate admit card will be issued at the exam centre
• Do not mutilate or alter any entry on the admit card
• Preserve the admit card for future reference
• Admit cards are not issued for incomplete or ineligible applications

AISSEE Answer Key 2026

The provisional answer key for AISSEE 2026 will be released on the NTA official website shortly after the exam. It helps candidates check their answers, calculate estimated scores, and raise objections if needed. This step ensures fairness and accuracy before the final result is declared. Important details about the answer key, challenges, and final release are given below.

• Release Schedule: The answer key of the AISSEE shall be released after the conclusion of the examination.
• Where to Check: It will be found on the official NTA AISSEE website.
• Purpose: It is used for comparing answers, estimating scores, and weighing exam performance.
• Objection Facility: A candidate shall be allowed to object to any answer by depositing a non-refundable fee of ₹200 per question.
• The Final Answer Key: Once the objections are reviewed, the final answer key will be compiled, and the results shall be announced.

AISSEE Result 2026

The AISSEE 2026 result process is conducted in steps. First, NTA releases the OMR sheets and provisional answer keys online. Candidates can challenge any errors by paying a small fee. After reviewing objections, the final answer key is prepared, which is used to calculate the results. The final results are declared on the official NTA website about six weeks after the exam. Candidates can download their scorecards from the Candidate Login.

1. OMR & Answer Key Display: NTA releases provisional OMR sheets and answer keys online. Candidates can challenge any discrepancy by paying ₹100 per OMR question and ₹200 per answer key question.

2. Result Declaration: Final results are released about 6 weeks after the exam. Candidates can download their scorecards from the NTA Candidate Login.

3. Qualifying Marks:

• General / OBC / Defence: Minimum 25% marks in each subject and 40% overall.
• SC / ST: No minimum marks required.
• New Sainik Schools: 25% marks per subject and 40% overall for all categories.

4. Merit Lists:
NTA releases school-wise, category-wise, and all-India merit lists for both regular and new Sainik Schools.

5. E-Counselling:
Qualified candidates must register on the AISSAC portal for school allotment. Admissions are based on merit, preferences, and seat availability.

6. Conditions for Admission:
Admission depends on merit rank, medical fitness, document verification, and acceptance of the allotted school. Being on the merit list alone does not guarantee admission.

AISSEE Counselling 2026

After the AISSEE 2026 results are declared, selected candidates must take part in e-counselling through the AISSAC portal for seat allotment. Seats are given based on merit rank, reservation category, domicile, and school preferences. The counselling process happens in multiple rounds, where candidates can choose to accept, reconsider, or withdraw their options. Below are the key points about the procedure, reservation, and other important details for successful participation.

Colleges Accepting AISSEE 2026 Score

All Sainik Schools in India accept AISSEE 2026 scores for admission to Class 6 and Class 9. These schools are run by the Ministry of Defence and focus on good education, discipline, and preparing students for a career in the Armed Forces. A full state-wise list of AISSEE accepting college and schools is given below.

The AISSEE 2026 follows a structured timeline beginning with registration in October 2025 and concluding with final admissions likely by June 2026. The application process is already complete, and the admit card has now been released. Below is the complete schedule for AISSEE 2026 to help students and parents plan accordingly.

The AISSEE 2026 syllabus checks what students learned in their previous class, Class 5 for Class 6 admission and Class 8 for Class 9. It includes subjects like Maths, Language, Intelligence, and GK for Class 6, and Maths, English, Science, and Social Science for Class 9. Understanding the syllabus helps in better preparation.

Solving AISSEE previous years’ question papers helps candidates understand the exam pattern, types of questions, and the difficulty level of the exam. It also helps students improve time management and exam confidence. Candidates can check the AISSEE past year question papers in the table given below.

The AISSEE 2026 cutoff is the minimum score required to qualify for admission to Sainik Schools. Admission is based on merit, category-wise cutoff marks, and state-wise reservation rules. Out of the total seats, 67% are reserved for candidates from the home state or Union Territory, while 33% seats are open to students from other states or UTs.

In addition, reservation benefits are available for SC, ST, OBC-NCL, and Defence category candidates as per government norms.

The official AISSEE 2026 cutoff marks will be released after the examination along with or after the declaration of AISSEE 2026 results. Meanwhile, candidates can refer to the previous year cutoff marks given below to get an idea of the expected cutoff range for AISSEE 2026.

AISSEE 2026 Exam FAQs

Ques. What is AISSEE?

Ans. AISSEE stands for All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination 2026. It is a national-level entrance exam conducted for admission to Class 6 and Class 9 in Sainik Schools across India.

Ques. Who conducts the AISSEE exam?

Ans. The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the AISSEE exam on behalf of the Sainik Schools Society.

Ques. When will AISSEE 2026 be conducted?

Ans. AISSEE 2026 exam is scheduled to be held on 18 January 2026.

Ques. For which classes is AISSEE conducted?

Ans. AISSEE is conducted for admission into:

• Class 6
• Class 9

Ques. What is the eligibility for AISSEE 2026 Class 6?

Ans. For Class 6 admission:

• The candidate must be 10 to 12 years old as on 31 March 2026
• The student should be studying in Class 5 from a recognised school

Ques. What is the eligibility for AISSEE 2026 Class 9?

Ans. For Class 9 admission:

• The candidate must be 13 to 15 years old as on 31 March 2026
• The student should be studying in Class 8 from a recognised school

Ques. Are girls eligible for AISSEE 2026?

Ans. Yes. Girls are eligible to apply for AISSEE 2026 exam and can take admission in Class 6 and Class 9 in selected Sainik Schools.

Ques. What is the mode of AISSEE 2026 exam?

Ans. AISSEE 2026 is conducted in offline mode (pen and paper based test).

Ques. How many questions are there in AISSEE 2026?

Ans. AISSEE 2026 consists of 125 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) for Class 6 and 150 MCQs for Class 9.

Ques. What is the duration of AISSEE 2026 exam?

Ans. The duration of the AISSEE 2026 exam is 150 minutes (2 hours 30 minutes) for Class 6 and 180 minutes (3 hours) for Class 9.

Ques. What are the total marks for AISSEE 2026?

Ans. The total marks for AISSEE 2026 are 300 marks for Class 6 and 400 marks for Class 9.

Ques. Is there negative marking in AISSEE 2026?

Ans. No. There is no negative marking in the AISSEE exam.

Ques. When will the AISSEE 2026 admit card be released?

Ans. The AISSEE 2026 admit card was already released on 12 January 2026. Students can download it from the official website.

Ques. Is AISSEE compulsory for Sainik School admission?

Ans. Yes. AISSEE is mandatory for admission to Class 6 and Class 9 in all Sainik Schools participating under the Sainik Schools Society.

Ques. Which Sainik Schools are participating in AISSEE 2026?

Ans. AISSEE 2026 is conducted for admission to various Sainik Schools across India. Some of the participating Sainik Schools include:

• Sainik School Kazhakootam, Kerala
• Sainik School Ghorakhal, Uttarakhand
• Sainik School Kunjpura, Haryana
• Sainik School Satara, Maharashtra
• Sainik School Nalanda, Bihar
• Sainik School Goalpara, Assam
• Sainik School Chittorgarh, Rajasthan