🔄 Latest Update (August 2, 2026): Age limit criteria verified with latest NTA guidelines. Added detailed examples of age calculation for Class 6 and Class 9, date of birth cutoff clarification, and category-wise relaxation rules. Use our Age Calculator Tool for instant eligibility check.
Quick Summary / TL;DR
| Class | Minimum Age | Maximum Age | Cutoff Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 6 | 10 years | 12 years | March 31, 2027 |
| Class 9 | 13 years | 15 years | March 31, 2027 |
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| General | No relaxation |
| OBC | No relaxation |
| SC/ST | No relaxation (age limits same) |
| Defence | No relaxation |
Every year, thousands of AISSEE applications are rejected because the candidate’s age does not meet the eligibility criteria. Parents often miscalculate the age, use the wrong cutoff date, or assume there is age relaxation for their category.
There is NO age relaxation for any category — not for SC, not for ST, not for OBC, not for Defence wards. The age limits are strict and non-negotiable.
This article explains the age criteria in complete detail with real examples, so you never have to doubt your child’s eligibility.
💡 Related: Read the complete Sainik School admission guide for the full process.
The age eligibility for AISSEE 2027 is calculated as on March 31, 2027. This means:
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 10 years as on March 31, 2027 |
| Maximum Age | 12 years as on March 31, 2027 |
| Eligible DOB Range | April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2017 |
| Class Studying | Class 5 or equivalent |
| Gender | Boys and Girls (25% seats for girls) |
💡 Related: For Class 9 admission, see our Sainik School Class 9 Admission guide.
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 13 years as on March 31, 2027 |
| Maximum Age | 15 years as on March 31, 2027 |
| Eligible DOB Range | April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2014 |
| Class Studying | Class 8 or equivalent |
| Gender | Boys and Girls (limited schools) |
💡 Related: Check the AISSEE 2027 exam date calendar for all deadlines.
Your child’s age on March 31, 2027 must be between the minimum and maximum age specified above.
Age = March 31, 2027 − Date of Birth
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Child’s Date of Birth | June 15, 2016 |
| Age on March 31, 2027 | 10 years, 9 months, 16 days |
| Minimum Required | 10 years |
| Maximum Allowed | 12 years |
| Eligibility | ✅ ELIGIBLE |
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Child’s Date of Birth | May 20, 2017 |
| Age on March 31, 2027 | 9 years, 10 months, 11 days |
| Minimum Required | 10 years |
| Eligibility | ❌ NOT ELIGIBLE (will turn 10 after March 31) |
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Child’s Date of Birth | March 10, 2015 |
| Age on March 31, 2027 | 12 years, 0 months, 21 days |
| Maximum Allowed | 12 years |
| Eligibility | ✅ ELIGIBLE (just within the limit) |
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Child’s Date of Birth | February 28, 2015 |
| Age on March 31, 2027 | 12 years, 1 month, 1 day |
| Maximum Allowed | 12 years |
| Eligibility | ❌ NOT ELIGIBLE (exceeds maximum by 1 month) |
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Child’s Date of Birth | August 10, 2013 |
| Age on March 31, 2027 | 13 years, 7 months, 21 days |
| Minimum Required | 13 years |
| Maximum Allowed | 15 years |
| Eligibility | ✅ ELIGIBLE |
The cutoff date is March 31, 2027 — NOT the exam date (January 2027) and NOT the application date (October–November 2026).
This means:
Why March 31? This is the standard academic year cutoff used by CBSE and most Indian education boards. The academic session starts in April, so March 31 is the reference date.
Many parents calculate age as of the exam date (January 2027). This is wrong. The official cutoff is March 31, 2027. If your child is 10 years old in January but will turn 12 before March 31, they might be over-age.
💡 Related: Girls have the same age limits — read Sainik School for Girls 2027 for details.
No. The age limits are the same for all categories — General, OBC, SC, ST, Defence, and any other category. There is no relaxation whatsoever.
No. Defence wards get reservation in seat allocation (a certain percentage of seats are reserved for defence category), but the age limits remain the same.
No. Girls have the same age limits as boys. However, 25% of seats in Class 6 are reserved for girl candidates.
| Category | Age Limit | Relaxation | Seats Reserved |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 10–12 (Class 6), 13–15 (Class 9) | None | Open merit |
| OBC | Same as General | None | 27% seats |
| SC | Same as General | None | 15% seats |
| ST | Same as General | None | 7.5% seats |
| Defence | Same as General | None | 25% seats |
| Girls | Same as General | None | 25% seats (Class 6) |
💡 Related: Avoid these 5 common admission mistakes that parents make.
Unfortunately, there is no provision for age relaxation. If your child does not meet the minimum age on March 31, 2027, they are not eligible. You will need to wait for AISSEE 2028.
Same rule applies. If your child exceeds the maximum age on March 31, 2027, they cannot apply. Consider other options like:
The class requirement is based on what the child is currently studying, not what they have completed. For Class 6 admission, the child must be studying in Class 5 or equivalent at the time of application.
| School | Class 6 Age | Class 9 Age | Cutoff Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sainik School | 10–12 years | 13–15 years | March 31, 2027 |
| Rashtriya Military School | 10–12 years | 13–15 years | March 31, 2027 |
| RIMC | 11–13 years (Class 8) | N/A | July 1, 2027 |
| Navodaya Vidyalaya | 9–13 years (Class 6) | N/A | May 1, 2027 |
We have built a free Age Eligibility Calculator that tells you instantly whether your child is eligible for Sainik School Class 6 or Class 9 admission.
The birth certificate is the only accepted document for age verification. Make sure:
| Document | Acceptable? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate (Municipal) | ✅ Primary | Most commonly accepted |
| Aadhaar Card | ✅ Supporting | Cross-verification only |
| Passport | ✅ Supporting | If available |
| School Transfer Certificate | ✅ Supporting | Must show DOB |
| Hospital Birth Record | ❌ Not accepted | Not an official document |
| Affidavit | ❌ Not accepted | Not sufficient alone |
💡 Related: SC/ST candidates: read about reservation and fee concession.
The child must be between 10 and 12 years old as on March 31, 2027. This means eligible date of birth is between April 1, 2015 and March 31, 2017.
The child must be between 13 and 15 years old as on March 31, 2027. Eligible date of birth is between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2014.
No. The age limits are the same for all categories — General, OBC, SC, ST, Defence, and all other categories.
No. The child must be at least 10 years old on March 31, 2027. If they turn 10 after March 31, 2027, they are not eligible for AISSEE 2027 and must wait for AISSEE 2028.
No. A student can apply for only one class per year. Choose the class based on the child’s current class and age eligibility.
The birth certificate date is considered final and authoritative. If there is a discrepancy, get it corrected in the school records before applying.
No. Girls have the same age limits as boys. However, 25% of Class 6 seats are reserved for girl candidates.
Official Source: NTA AISSEE Portal
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