Team8 · August 6, 2026 
Introduction
With the All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE) 2026 result already declared, parents and students are now focused on one number above all else: the AISSEE Cut Off Marks 2026. Since AISSEE 2026 was conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on 18 January 2026 with results out on 27 February 2026, understanding exactly how the cut off system works — and how it differs from the minimum passing marks — is essential before entering counselling. This guide breaks down the AISSEE Cut Off Marks 2026 for Class 6 and Class 9, school-wise trends, and the minimum passing marks required at each stage.
AISSEE Minimum Passing Marks 2026: The Qualifying Baseline
Before comparing competitive cut-off marks, understand the AISSEE minimum passing marks. These marks set the absolute baseline that candidates must achieve to qualify for the merit list.
- General, OBC-NCL, and Defence/Ex-servicemen categories: Minimum 25% marks in each individual section/subject, plus an aggregate of 40% marks in AISSEE 2026
- Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) categories: No minimum marks criteria apply
- New Sainik Schools (all categories): Minimum 25% marks per section/subject, plus 40% aggregate
Clearing these minimum passing marks only makes a candidate eligible to appear on the merit list — it does not guarantee a seat at any specific school. That’s where the actual cut off marks come in.
AISSEE Cut Off Marks 2026 vs Minimum Passing Marks: The Key Difference
A total of 1,78,022 students appeared for AISSEE 2026, competing for a limited number of seats — approximately 1,800 to 2,000 seats for Class 6 nationally, and only around 600 to 800 for Class 9. This massive gap between applicants and available seats is exactly why the minimum passing marks (40% aggregate) sit far below the actual cut off marks needed for admission. Passing the exam and getting a seat are two very different thresholds.
Sainik School Cut Off 2026 Class 6 (Out of 300 Marks)
AISSEE Class 6 is conducted for a total of 300 marks. Based on the actual AISSEE 2026 trend data, expected cut off ranges are:
- General Category: 210 to 250 marks
- Schools in high-demand states can trend toward the higher end of this range, while schools in the Northeast typically see more accessible cut offs due to fewer home-state applicants
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Sainik School Cut Off 2026 Class 9 (Out of 400 Marks)
AISSEE Class 9 carries a total of 400 marks. Since Sainik Schools offer only around 600–800 Class 9 seats nationwide, candidates face tougher competition than in Class 6 admissions. Expected category-wise cut off ranges for Class 9 are:
- General Category: 280 to 320 marks at most schools, with top-ranked schools in competitive states trending higher
- OBC-NCL Category: 250 to 285 marks
- SC Category: 210 to 245 marks
- ST Category: 185 to 220 marks
- Defence Category: 245 to 275 marks
AISSEE Cut Off Marks 2026 School Wise: What Affects the Variation
Cut off marks are not uniform across all Sainik Schools — they vary significantly school to school based on a few consistent factors:
- Home state demand: Sainik Schools reserve 67% of seats for Home State candidates. As a result, states with a large applicant pool, such as Rajasthan and Maharashtra, often record significantly higher Home State cut-off marks.
- Gender-wise seat availability: Sainik Schools usually allocate fewer seats to girls than boys. As a result, girls often need higher cut-off marks to secure admission at most schools.
- Total seats at that specific school: Newer or smaller-capacity schools naturally see tighter cut offs
- Regional competition: Schools in the Northeast and less densely populated states typically have more accessible cut offs compared to schools in populous states
For example, Sainik School Chittorgarh in Rajasthan has shown home-state cut offs for boys around 275–277 marks and for girls around 284–286 marks, while Sainik School Satara in Maharashtra has recorded girls’ cut offs as high as 288 marks — both considerably above the general expected range, reflecting high home-state competition in these states.
After Clearing the AISSEE Cut Off: What Comes Next
Clearing the AISSEE Cut Off Marks 2026 places a candidate on the merit list, but admission is not yet final. The complete process from here includes:
- Registration for AISSAC (All India Sainik Schools Admission Counselling), the mandatory e-counselling round
- A medical examination round for shortlisted candidates
- Document and eligibility verification as per prescribed norms
- Preparation of the final merit list, based on combined written test and medical exam performance
Only after successfully completing all these stages is admission to a Sainik School confirmed.
How Career Plan B Helps
Understanding where your child’s AISSEE score places them — and what it means for their next steps — can be confusing without the right guidance. Career Plan B’s Admission and Academic Profile Guidance team helps parents interpret AISSEE Cut Off Marks 2026 in the context of category, home state, and school-wise trends, so decisions are grounded in clarity rather than guesswork. Our Personalised Career Counselling supports families in planning calmly through the counselling and medical exam stages, whatever the outcome. And our Career Roadmapping service ensures that wherever your child’s AISSEE journey leads, it connects smoothly to their broader academic and career path.
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Frequently asked Questions
Q1. What are the AISSEE Cut Off Marks 2026?
AISSEE Cut Off Marks 2026 determine whether candidates can secure a seat at a specific Sainik School. These competitive scores remain considerably higher than the minimum passing marks and vary by school, category, and class.
Q2. What is the difference between AISSEE minimum passing marks and cut off marks?
Minimum passing marks (40% aggregate for General/OBC-NCL/Defence) only make a candidate eligible for the merit list, while cut off marks are the higher, actual scores needed to get an admission seat.
Q3. What is the expected AISSEE Cut Off for Class 6 in 2026?
For the General category, expected cut offs range between approximately 210 and 250 marks out of a total of 300.
Q4. What is the expected AISSEE Cut Off for Class 9 in 2026?
For the General category, expected cut offs range between approximately 280 and 320 marks out of a total of 400, with reserved categories ranging lower.
Q5. Do minimum marks criteria apply to SC and ST candidates?
No, SC and ST category candidates are exempt from the minimum marks criteria under AISSEE 2026 rules.
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Conclusion
The AISSEE Cut Off Marks 2026 sit well above the minimum passing marks of 40% aggregate, and the gap between the two is exactly why understanding both numbers matters for realistic planning. With expected General category cut offs ranging from 210–250 for Class 6 and 280–320 for Class 9 — and considerable school-wise and category-wise variation on top of that — candidates should track their specific target school’s historical trends closely rather than relying on the national average alone, and stay prepared for the e-counselling and medical exam rounds that follow.
Whatever stage you’re at — choosing a course, prepping for an exam, or just figuring out what’s next — Career Plan B’s counsellors can help you think it through. Talk to a Career Plan B counsellor →
