🔄 Last verified: 26 September 2026 — The AISSEE 2027 information bulletin is not released yet, so the final 2027-28 school-wise seat matrix isn’t available. Below is the official 2026-cycle baseline (HT, Oct 2025 + AISSAC SOP). This page will be updated within 48 hours of the bulletin’s release.
“How many seats are there in total?” — it’s the first question every AISSEE parent asks. The straight answer: the final 2027 seat matrix isn’t out yet, because NTA’s bulletin is still pending. But that doesn’t mean we’re guessing in the dark — we have the official 2026-cycle data, and it’s a solid base for understanding what 2027 will look like.
| Fact | Status | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Established Sainik Schools | ✅ CONFIRMED (PIB) | 33 schools |
| New schools — Class 6 entry | ✅ (2026 cycle, HT Oct 2025) | 69 schools (3 added in Oct 2025) |
| New schools — Class 9 entry | ✅ (2026 cycle) | 19 schools |
| Final 2027-28 list | 🔶 Awaited | Comes with the NTA bulletin (expected Oct 2026) |
So in 2026, AISSEE admissions ran across 100+ schools — 33 established plus 69 new ones for Class 6. That number could grow for 2027: in March 2026 the Raksha Mantri announced 100 new PPP-mode Sainik Schools (Indian Express, 22 Mar 2026). But keep perspective — that was a policy-level announcement; which individual schools get approved and enter the admission cycle will only be clear in the bulletin.
The reservation math is the most confusing part of the seat matrix, so let’s walk through it. Say an established school has 120 Class 6 seats:
| Step | Calculation | Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Total seats | — | 120 |
| Home-state (67%) | 120 × 0.67 | ~80 |
| Other-state (33%) | 120 × 0.33 | ~40 |
| Girls quota (10% or 10 seats, whichever more) | 120 × 0.10 = 12 | 12 (minimum) |
| SC within home-state (15%) | 80 × 0.15 | ~12 |
| ST within home-state (7.5%) | 80 × 0.075 | ~6 |
| OBC-NCL within home-state (27%) | 80 × 0.27 | ~22 |
| Defence wards (25% of remainder) | remainder × 0.25 | varies |
That’s the ✅ AISSAC SOP formula. In real counselling the software does this arithmetic — your job is only to claim the right category and domicile. The full reservation logic is explained in our quota guide.
Here’s a small scene that shows why this matters more than parents think: a family I know was fixated on one famous Sainik School three states away — the name, the legacy, the NDA numbers. Their son scored well. But they’d ignored that 67% of that school’s seats were locked for its home state, and in the 33% other-states pool the cutoff was brutal. He missed it. The next year, a cousin with a lower score got into their home-state school comfortably. The seat matrix isn’t just a number — it’s a map. Read it before you fall in love with a school.
My honest take: if your child is in Class 5 right now, aim squarely at Class 6 entry. It’s the largest intake and the most predictable process. Keep Class 9 as a backup plan, not the main one.
🔶 All three depend on the bulletin. If any website shows you a “final 2027 seat list” before the bulletin is out, it’s recycling old data — be cautious.
Counselling runs on AISSAC — ✅ the Sainik Schools Society’s online system at pesa.ncog.gov.in, free of charge, roughly six rounds. When you fill choices:
Our counselling guide walks through the round-by-round strategy in detail.
How many total seats will there be in 2027? The final number comes with the bulletin. The 2026 baseline was 33 + 69 schools for Class 6 — expect 2027 to be at least that, possibly more.
Does every school admit in both Class 6 and Class 9? No. Class 6 entry ran in 102 schools in 2026; Class 9 in only 52. Check your target school’s entry classes in the bulletin.
How do I get the home-state quota benefit? Fill the domicile correctly in the form and produce the domicile certificate at verification. A wrong state entry means losing the quota — see the admission mistakes guide.
Can I apply to more than one school? Yes — one AISSEE form lets you fill choices for multiple schools during counselling.
When will the seat matrix be released? With NTA’s information bulletin — 🔶 expected around October 2026.
Can girls apply to every school? The girls’ quota is confirmed for the 33 established schools. For new schools, check the bulletin — and read our girls’ guide for the full picture.
Related reading: Reservation & Quota Rules · State-wise School Directory · Cutoffs 2026 State-wise · Counselling Guide · New PPP Schools Model
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