Sainik School Eligibility

Sainik School eligibility encompasses specific age requirements, academic criteria, and passing marks for admission to Class 6 and Class 9. For Class 6, candidates must be between 10-12 years, while for Class 9, the age requirement is 13-15 years as of March 31 of the admission year. Both boys and girls can apply, with a minimum requirement of 25% marks in each subject and 40% aggregate marks in the entrance examination, except for SC/ST candidates who have special provisions.

Eligibility Criteria	Requirements
Class 6 Age	10-12 years
Class 9 Age	13-15 years
Minimum Subject Marks	25% in each subject
Aggregate Marks	40% overall
Girls Admission	Available for both classes
Medical Fitness	Mandatory

Key Takeaways

Age calculation is based on March 31 of the admission year, ensuring proper eligibility verification
Both boys and girls can apply for admission to Sainik Schools at Class 6 and Class 9 levels
New Sainik Schools have a different admission process with 40% and 60% routes
Medical fitness is mandatory for all candidates regardless of their category
SC/ST candidates have special provisions in marking criteria
Original documents verification is essential during the admission process
E-counseling is based on the merit list for final admission

Age Eligibility Requirements for Sainik School

Understanding the age criteria is crucial for parents planning their child's admission to Sainik Schools. The age requirements are strictly enforced and form the primary eligibility criterion for Sainik School admission.

Class 6 Age Requirements

For admission to Class 6, candidates must meet the following age criteria:

Age should be between 10 and 12 years as on March 31 of the admission year
Birth date must fall between April 1 and March 31 of the relevant years
This criterion applies equally to both boys and girls
No age relaxation is provided except in special cases defined by authorities

Parent Tip: Calculate your child's age as of March 31 of the admission year, not the current age at the time of application. This helps avoid last-minute disappointments.

Academic Requirements for Sainik School Admission

Academic requirements form an essential part of the eligibility criteria. Candidates must fulfill both qualification and performance criteria in the AISSEE.

For Class 6: Candidate should have passed/appearing in Class 5 from a recognized school
For Class 9: Must have completed/appearing in Class 8 from a recognized school
School recognition should be from a state/central education board
Transfer Certificate will be required at the time of admission

Note: All academic documents must be verified during admission. Parents should keep required documents ready before the admission process begins.

Eligibility for New Sainik Schools

New Sainik Schools follow a unique admission pattern with two distinct routes - 40% and 60%. Parents must understand these routes clearly before applying for their children's admission.

Understanding 40% Route (Category A)

40% seats are filled through All India Sainik School Entrance Exam (AISSEE)
Open to all candidates meeting the age criteria
Follows same age requirements as regular Sainik Schools
Selection based on merit in entrance examination
Medical fitness is mandatory for final admission

Category A Details	Requirements
Available Seats	40% of Total Capacity
Selection Process	Through AISSEE
Age Criteria	Same as Regular Schools
Admission Level	Class 6 Only

Understanding 60% Route (Category B)

The 60% route is specifically designed for students already enrolled in approved New Sainik Schools.

Reserved for existing students of the same school
Candidates must be currently studying in Class 5
Need to qualify in the test conducted by NTA
Same age criteria applies as Category A
Unfilled seats transfer to Category A

Passing Marks and Selection Criteria

Understanding the passing marks and selection criteria is crucial for parents. The cutoff marks vary each year based on competition levels.

Minimum Marks Requirements

General Category students need minimum 25% marks in each subject
40% aggregate marks are mandatory in AISSEE
These criteria apply to both Class 6 and Class 9 admissions
Special provisions exist for SC/ST candidates

Important Note for Parents: The final selection depends on your child's position in the merit list and seat availability in chosen schools.

Category-wise Eligibility Criteria

General Category: Must meet both subject-wise and aggregate marks criteria
SC/ST Category: No minimum marks requirement, selection on inter-se merit
OBC Category: Same as general category with reservation benefits
Defence Category: Additional weightage as per rules

Special Categories and Reservations

Sainik Schools have a comprehensive reservation system to ensure equal opportunities for all sections of society. Parents should check their ward's eligibility under various categories.

SC/ST Category Eligibility

No minimum marks requirement in entrance examination
Must qualify medical fitness criteria
Need to submit valid caste certificate
Selection based on performance within category

Girls Admission Eligibility

Sainik Schools now welcome girl students, offering equal opportunities in military education. Parents interested in admission for girls should understand these specific criteria.

Class 6 Admission for Girls

Same age criteria as boys (10-12 years)
Equal academic requirements and entrance exam pattern
Separate merit list for girls
Dedicated hostel facilities available
Special provisions for physical training

Parent Tip: Check the specific school's infrastructure and facilities for girl students before applying. Some schools have limited seats for girls.

Class 9 Admission for Girls

Age requirement: 13-15 years
Limited seats available
Must have completed Class 8 from recognized school
Same entrance exam pattern as boys
Medical fitness mandatory

Important Points for Parents

As parents, you need to consider several crucial aspects before applying for Sainik School admission. Here's a comprehensive checklist.

Document Requirements

Birth certificate showing correct date of birth
Previous class marksheets and certificates
Transfer certificate from previous school
Category certificates (if applicable)
Medical fitness certificate
Domicile certificate as per requirements

Medical Fitness Criteria

Medical fitness is mandatory for admission. Key points include:

Complete physical examination by authorized medical officer
Vision test mandatory for all candidates
Height and weight measurements as per age
No chronic health issues
Dental fitness examination

Common Eligibility Mistakes to Avoid

Incorrect age calculation
Missing document submission deadlines
Not checking category-specific requirements
Overlooking medical fitness requirements
Not verifying school-specific criteria

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to common questions parents ask about Sainik School eligibility:

Question	Answer
Is there any relaxation in age criteria?	No, age criteria is strictly followed as per guidelines
Can girls apply to all Sainik Schools?	Yes, but seat availability varies by school
Are there any height requirements?	Height requirements are checked during medical examination
Is entrance exam mandatory for all?	Yes, all candidates must appear for AISSEE
What if my child is in CBSE/ICSE board?	All recognized boards are accepted

For detailed preparation guidance, refer to our comprehensive guide on how to prepare for Sainik School entrance exam.