Team8 · August 7, 2026 
Introduction
The Sainik School Entrance Exam 2026, officially called the All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE), has moved from exam day to result day. Here’s a complete look at how the exam was structured, what the results show, and what cutoff and merit list candidates can expect next.
Sainik School Entrance Exam 2026: Exam Overview
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the AISSEE 2026 exam on January 18, 2026, in offline, pen-and-paper mode, at 464 exam centres across 190 cities in India. The exam covers admission to both Class 6 and Class 9 across Sainik Schools and New Sainik Schools nationwide. NTA declared the result on February 27, 2026, roughly six weeks after the exam.
Sainik School Entrance Exam Pattern 2026
The exam differs meaningfully between the two entry classes. For Class 6, the paper carries 125 questions across Mathematics, General Knowledge, Language, and Intelligence, for a total of 300 marks, and runs for 150 minutes. For Class 9, the paper carries 150 questions across Mathematics, English, General Science, Social Studies, and Intelligence, for a total of 400 marks, and runs for 180 minutes. Both papers are multiple-choice, and neither applies negative marking for wrong answers.
Sainik School Entrance Exam Result 2026: Key Numbers
Along with individual scorecards, NTA released the merit list carrying all-India ranks for both classes. Reports named the AIR 1 candidates this year: for Class 6, a student from Maharashtra topped with 296 marks, while a Class 9 candidate from Uttar Pradesh recorded 388 marks. Keep in mind that the final admission merit list still depends on combined performance across the written exam and the medical examination, so a high written score alone doesn’t guarantee a seat.
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Sainik School Entrance Exam Qualifying Marks 2026
To qualify and appear on the merit list, General, OBC (NCL), Defence, and Ex-servicemen category candidates need at least 25% marks in each subject and 40% in aggregate. Note that minimum marks criteria don’t apply to SC/ST candidates in the same way, though they must still appear on the merit list to be considered.
Sainik School Entrance Exam Cutoff 2026
The qualifying marks above are only the floor. The actual competitive cutoff, which decides real admission chances, depends on the specific school, the candidate’s category, and whether they’re applying under the home-state quota (67% of seats) or the all-India quota (33% of seats). NTA and the Sainik Schools Society release the official cutoff separately, closer to the counselling rounds, so treat any cutoff figures you see online before that as unofficial estimates.
What Happens After the Sainik School Entrance Exam Result?
Qualified candidates must register for the All India Sainik Schools Admission Counselling (AISSAC) at pesa.ncog.gov.in/sainikschoolecounselling. From there, the process moves to document verification, seat allotment based on merit and category, and a medical fitness examination. Only candidates who clear every stage receive final admission confirmation.
How Career Plan B Helps
Understanding where your child’s score stands relative to a specific school’s likely cutoff, and what the AISSAC counselling process actually involves, takes more than just checking a scorecard. Career Plan B’s Admission and Academic Profile Guidance team helps families interpret AISSEE results in context, and our Personalised Career Counselling can help you plan the years ahead once admission is confirmed.while our Career Roadmapping service keeps your Plus Two outcome connected to your longer-term goals.
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Frequently asked question
Q1. When was the AISSEE 2026 result declared?
On February 27, 2026, by the National Testing Agency.
Q2. What is the AISSEE 2026 exam pattern for Class 6 and Class 9?
Class 6: 125 questions, 300 marks, 150 minutes. Class 9: 150 questions, 400 marks, 180 minutes. Both are MCQ-based with no negative marking.
Q3. What are the AISSEE 2026 minimum qualifying marks?
25% in each subject and 40% in aggregate for General/OBC (NCL)/Defence/Ex-servicemen candidates.
Q4. Is the AISSEE cutoff the same as the qualifying marks?
No. Qualifying marks are the minimum floor to appear on the merit list; the actual admission cutoff is higher and varies by school, category, and quota.
Q5. What happens after qualifying the AISSEE 2026 written exam?
Candidates register for AISSAC counselling, undergo document verification and a medical exam, and only then receive final admission confirmation.
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Conclusion
The Sainik School Entrance Exam 2026 result marks the halfway point of a longer admission journey, not the finish line. Between the written score, the medical round, and school-specific cutoffs, several factors still decide the final outcome. If you’d like help making sense of where your child stands and planning the next steps, Career Plan B’s counsellors are here to guide you.
