Counselling is Where You Actually Get the Seat. Don’t Mess It Up.
Clearing AISSEE is only half the battle. The other half is counselling, where seats are allocated based on your rank, category, and school preferences. Many students who score well lose their seat because they filled choices incorrectly or missed a deadline.
This guide covers the entire counselling process step by step so you don’t make those mistakes.
How Sainik School Counselling Works
After AISSEE results are declared, qualified candidates must register on the AISSAC portal for e-counselling. The process has multiple rounds.
Counselling Timeline (Tentative for 2027)
| Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| AISSEE Result | February 2027 |
| E-Counselling Registration Opens | March 2027 |
| Choice Filling | March 2027 |
| First Allotment | March 2027 |
| Second Allotment | April 2027 |
| Spot Round (if seats remain) | April-May 2027 |
| Session Starts | April 2027 |
Also Read: Sainik School Admission 2027 Guide
Step-by-Step: How to Register for Counselling
Step 1: Check AISSEE Result
Go to exams.nta.nic.in and check your result. Note your All India Rank and State Rank.
Step 2: Register on AISSAC Portal
Visit pesa.ncog.gov.in/sainikschoolecounselling and register using:
- AISSEE Roll Number
- Date of Birth
- Mobile Number (OTP verification)
Step 3: Fill School Choices
This is the most important step. You can choose multiple Sainik Schools in order of preference.
How to choose schools:
| Priority | Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1st choice | Your home state Sainik School (67% reservation) |
| 2nd choice | Nearest Sainik School from another state |
| 3rd choice | Any Sainik School you are willing to attend |
| 4th-5th | Backup options |
Fill as many choices as possible. More choices = higher chance of getting a seat.
Step 4: Lock Choices
After filling choices, lock them before the deadline. You cannot change choices after locking.
Step 5: Wait for Allotment
Seat allotment happens based on:
- Your AISSEE rank
- Your category (General/SC/ST/OBC/Defence)
- Your school preferences
- Available seats
Also Read: Sainik School Fees & Scholarship
Seat Allotment Rules
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Home State Quota | 67% seats reserved for students from the state where the school is located |
| Other State Quota | 33% seats open to all India candidates |
| SC Reservation | 15% of total seats |
| ST Reservation | 7.5% of total seats |
| OBC-NCL | 27% of total seats |
| Defence Quota | 25% seats for children of service/ex-service personnel |
| Girls Quota | 25% seats reserved for girls |
If you don’t get your first choice in Round 1, you may get it in Round 2 or Spot Round.
Spot Round: Last Chance for Admission
If seats remain vacant after the regular counselling rounds, schools conduct Spot Rounds (offline counselling).
How Spot Round Works
- Schools publish vacant seat list on their website
- Eligible candidates (who cleared AISSEE) can apply directly
- Admission is based on merit (AISSEE rank)
- First-come-first-served for equal ranks
Documents Needed for Spot Round
| Document | Copies |
|---|---|
| AISSEE Score Card | 3 |
| Class 5/8 Marksheet | 3 |
| Birth Certificate | 3 |
| Domicile Certificate | 3 |
| Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC) | 3 |
| Defence Certificate (if applicable) | 3 |
| Passport Photos | 6 |
| Aadhaar Card | 3 |
What If You Don’t Get Any Seat?
If you don’t get a seat in any round:
| Option | Action |
|---|---|
| Try next year | Apply for Class 9 if you applied for Class 6 (or vice versa) |
| New Sainik Schools | 69 new schools under PPP model have more seats available |
| RMS/RIMC | Apply to Rashtriya Military Schools or RIMC as alternatives |
| Private military schools | Several private schools offer similar training |
Also Read: Sainik School vs RIMC vs RMS
Common Counselling Mistakes
| Mistake | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Filling only 1-2 school choices | May not get any seat |
| Not registering before deadline | Disqualified from counselling |
| Wrong category selection | Seat cancelled during verification |
| Missing document verification date | Admission cancelled |
| Not paying fee on time | Seat given to next candidate |
Official Sources:
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Last Updated: July 2026 Author: Nisha — Education Content Specialist
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