Sainik Schools

Sainik Schools are residential schools that mix regular schooling with military-style discipline. They prepare students for the National Defence Academy (NDA) and other officer entries. The first one opened in 1961.

1Why Were Sainik Schools Started?

• The scheme was started in 1961 by V.K. Krishna Menon, who was then the Defence Minister.
• The first school opened at Satara, Maharashtra. Krishna Menon inaugurated it on 23 June 1961.
• The aim was to widen the base of the officer corps. Before this, officers came mostly from a narrow set of families and regions.
• The idea was simple. Talented boys from any state, rich or poor, should have a fair shot at becoming officers.
• So the plan was to set up schools across the states.
• Over time, 33 traditional Sainik Schools were set up.

2How Are Sainik Schools Run and Entered?

• The 33 traditional schools work under the Sainik Schools Society. This is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Defence.
• The Society runs English-medium residential schools. They follow the CBSE syllabus.
• Admission is through the All India Sainik School Entrance Examination (AISSEE).
• The entrance exam is for Class 6 and Class 9.
• The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts this exam.
• These schools have about 3,000 seats in Class 6 across the 33 schools.

3When Did Girls Join Sainik Schools?

• Sainik Schools were boys-only for a long time.
• In 2018-19, girls were first admitted as a pilot at Sainik School Chhingchhip in Mizoram.
• From the 2021-22 session, girls were admitted in all 33 Sainik Schools.
• Girl cadets are now part of the same entrance and training system.

4What Are the New Sainik Schools in Partnership Mode?

• The Union Budget 2021 proposed 100 new Sainik Schools in partnership with NGOs, private schools and States.
• On 12 October 2021, the Union Cabinet approved affiliating 100 government, private and NGO schools with the Sainik Schools Society, from 2022-23.
• About 5,000 Class 6 seats were expected from these schools. The 33 older schools offer about 3,000.
• On 26 March 2022, the Ministry of Defence approved the first 21 new schools. Of these, 12 are run by NGOs or trusts, 6 are private and 3 are State-owned. (Source: PIB.)
• Seven of them are day schools. The other 14 have residential arrangements.
• The new schools run on their own, with their own funds. The Government of India does not pay for their buildings or staff.
• It gives fee support on a merit-cum-means basis. The support is up to 50% of the fee, capped at Rs 40,000 per student a year, for up to half the class. (Source: PIB.)
• By December 2022, the Society had signed agreements with 18 such schools. (Source: PIB.)

5What Did the Vice-President Say in July 2026?

• On 13 July 2026, Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan was briefed on the NCC and Sainik Schools. Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth gave the briefing at Uprashtrapati Bhavan. (Source: Vice-President of India.)
• The briefing covered how Sainik Schools work and how they are expanding. It covered both the older and the Public-Private Partnership models.
• The Vice-President noted the growing demand from students and parents.
• He said each State could aim to have three to five Sainik Schools.
• He also asked the Ministry to look at raising the intake of the existing schools.

6What Should You Remember for Exams?

Must Know

• Sainik Schools were started in 1961 under V.K.
• Krishna Menon.
• The first was at Satara.
• There are 33 traditional schools under the Sainik Schools Society.

Good to Know

• Entry is by AISSEE, for Class 6 and Class 9.
• The NTA conducts it.
• Girls were piloted at Chhingchhip in 2018-19 and admitted everywhere from 2021-22.

Great to Know

• The 100 new schools are affiliated, not run by the Society (Trap).
• The Cabinet decision was on 12 October 2021, not in the 1961 scheme (Trap).