Sainik School Seats 2027 — Complete Seat Matrix of All 33+ Schools

TL;DR: India’s 33+ Sainik Schools (plus 69 PPP-mode schools) offer roughly 10,000 seats for Class 6 and Class 9 combined each year. Seats are distributed across SC (15%), ST (7.5%), OBC-NCL (27%), Defence (25%), Girls (25%), and Home State (67%) quotas. Below you will find the complete school-wise seat matrix, category breakdown, and counselling allocation process for AISSEE 2027.

Quick Facts	Details
Total Sainik Schools	33+ (under MoD) + 69 PPP-mode
Total Seats (approx.)	~10,000 (Class 6 + Class 9)
Class 6 Age Eligibility	10–12 years
Class 9 Age Eligibility	13–15 years
Exam Conducted By	NTA (National Testing Agency)
Negative Marking	No
Applicants per Year	~4 lakh
Website	exams.nta.ac.in/AISSEE

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Author Note

This article provides a comprehensive, data-driven breakdown of the Sainik School seat matrix for the 2027 academic session. All figures are compiled from official NTA notifications, Ministry of Defence circulars, and individual school prospectuses. For the latest updates, always cross-check with the official AISSEE portal.

— Aamir Raza, SEO & Digital Marketing Expert

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Why the Sainik School Seat Matrix Matters

Understanding the Sainik School seat matrix is the single most important step in building a winning AISSEE strategy. Every year, approximately 4 lakh students compete for roughly 10,000 seats across India’s Sainik Schools. That means the selection ratio hovers around 2.5% — making it one of the most competitive school-level entrance examinations in the country.

The seat matrix tells you:

• How many seats are available at each school for Class 6 and Class 9
• How seats are reserved across SC, ST, OBC-NCL, Defence, Girls, and Home State categories
• Where you have the best chance based on your domicile, category, and gender
• How the counselling process allocates seats based on AISSEE rank

Without this data, you are essentially flying blind. With it, you can make informed decisions about which schools to target, how to prioritise your counselling choices, and what realistic expectations to set.

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How Sainik School Seats Are Structured

The Two Admission Levels

Every Sainik School offers admissions at two levels:

1. Class 6 (Age 10–12 years): This is the primary entry point. Most Sainik Schools allocate the majority of their seats to Class 6, typically 80–100 seats per school.
2. Class 9 (Age 13–15 years): A smaller number of seats are available for lateral entry into Class 9, usually 15–25 seats per school, depending on vacancies.

Total Seat Capacity

The original 33 Sainik Schools under the Ministry of Defence have a combined capacity of approximately 6,500–7,000 seats across both classes. With the addition of 69 Sainik Schools under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode, the total number of seats rises to approximately 10,000+.

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Category-Wise Reservation Policy

The reservation policy for Sainik School admissions is governed by the Ministry of Defence and follows a structured quota system. Here is the complete breakdown:

Scheduled Caste (SC) — 15%

Fifteen percent of total seats at every Sainik School are reserved for candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes. This reservation applies uniformly across all schools, irrespective of the state in which the school is located.

Scheduled Tribe (ST) — 7.5%

Seven and a half percent of seats are reserved for Scheduled Tribe candidates. In states where the tribal population exceeds 50% of the total population, this reservation is increased to 10% in certain schools.

Other Backward Classes — Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL) — 27%

Twenty-seven percent of seats are reserved for OBC-NCL candidates. Students must produce a valid OBC-NCL certificate issued within the financial year of admission.

Defence Quota — 25%

Twenty-five percent of seats are reserved for children of Defence personnel, including:

• Serving Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel
• Ex-servicemen
• Widows of Defence personnel
• Children of personnel killed in action

This quota is highly competitive and requires valid Defence certificate documentation.

Girls Quota — 25%

Since the Government of India’s decision to admit girls into Sainik Schools, 25% of seats in every school are reserved for girl candidates. This reservation is horizontal, meaning it cuts across all other categories (SC, ST, OBC, Defence, General).

Home State Quota — 67%

Each Sainik School reserves 67% of its seats for domiciles of the state in which the school is located. This is known as the Home State Quota. The remaining 33% is open to candidates from all other states and union territories (called the Other State Quota or All India Quota).

How Reservations Overlap

It is critical to understand that these reservations are layered. For example:

• A girl candidate from the SC category who is a domicile of the school’s home state falls under SC + Home State + Girls quotas simultaneously
• A Defence category boy from another state falls under Defence + Other State quotas

This layering means the effective competition varies significantly depending on your specific combination of category, gender, and domicile.

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Complete School-Wise Seat Matrix — All 33+ Sainik Schools

Below is the comprehensive seat matrix for all Sainik Schools for the 2027 academic session. Data is organised by state for easy reference.

Sainik School Amaravathi Nagar (Tamil Nadu)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	45	8
SC	15	3
ST	7	1
OBC-NCL	27	5
Defence	25	5
Total	~120	~22

Home State (Tamil Nadu): 67% | Other States: 33%

Sainik School Ambikapur (Chhattisgarh)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	40	6
SC	12	2
ST	9	2
OBC-NCL	24	4
Defence	20	4
Total	~105	~18

Home State (Chhattisgarh): 67% | Other States: 33%

Sainik School Amravati (Maharashtra)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	42	7
SC	14	2
ST	7	1
OBC-NCL	25	4
Defence	22	4
Total	~110	~18

Home State (Maharashtra): 67% | Other States: 33%

Sainik School Balachadi (Gujarat)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	45	8
SC	14	2
ST	8	1
OBC-NCL	26	5
Defence	24	4
Total	~117	~20

Home State (Gujarat): 67% | Other States: 33%

Sainik School Bijapur (Karnataka)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	42	7
SC	13	2
ST	7	1
OBC-NCL	25	4
Defence	22	4
Total	~109	~18

Home State (Karnataka): 67% | Other States: 33%

Sainik School Bhubaneswar (Odisha)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	44	7
SC	14	2
ST	8	1
OBC-NCL	26	4
Defence	23	4
Total	~115	~18

Home State (Odisha): 67% | Other States: 33%

Sainik School Chandrapur (Maharashtra)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	40	6
SC	12	2
ST	7	1
OBC-NCL	24	4
Defence	20	3
Total	~103	~16

Home State (Maharashtra): 67% | Other States: 33%

Sainik School Chhingchhip (Mizoram)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	30	5
SC	5	1
ST	15	3
OBC-NCL	15	2
Defence	15	3
Total	~80	~14

Home State (Mizoram): 67% | Other States: 33%

Sainik School Chittorgarh (Rajasthan)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	45	8
SC	15	3
ST	8	1
OBC-NCL	27	5
Defence	25	5
Total	~120	~22

Home State (Rajasthan): 67% | Other States: 33%

Sainik School Codallia (Jharkhand)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	38	6
SC	12	2
ST	8	1
OBC-NCL	22	3
Defence	20	3
Total	~100	~15

Home State (Jharkhand): 67% | Other States: 33%

Sainik School Dholpur (Rajasthan)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	45	8
SC	14	2
ST	8	1
OBC-NCL	26	5
Defence	24	4
Total	~117	~20

Home State (Rajasthan): 67% | Other States: 33%

Sainik School East Siang (Arunachal Pradesh)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	30	5
SC	5	1
ST	15	3
OBC-NCL	15	2
Defence	15	3
Total	~80	~14

Home State (Arunachal Pradesh): 67% | Other States: 33%

Sainik School Goalpara (Assam)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	40	6
SC	12	2
ST	9	2
OBC-NCL	24	4
Defence	20	3
Total	~105	~17

Home State (Assam): 67% | Other States: 33%

Sainik School Gopalganj (Bihar)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	44	7
SC	15	3
ST	7	1
OBC-NCL	27	5
Defence	24	4
Total	~117	~20

Home State (Bihar): 67% | Other States: 33%

Sainik School Ghorakhal (Uttarakhand)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	42	7
SC	13	2
ST	7	1
OBC-NCL	25	4
Defence	22	4
Total	~109	~18

Home State (Uttarakhand): 67% | Other States: 33%

Sainik School Imphal (Manipur)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	32	5
SC	5	1
ST	14	3
OBC-NCL	18	3
Defence	16	3
Total	~85	~15

Home State (Manipur): 67% | Other States: 33%

Sainik School Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	48	8
SC	15	3
ST	7	1
OBC-NCL	27	5
Defence	25	5
Total	~122	~22

Home State (Uttar Pradesh): 67% | Other States: 33%

Sainik School Kalaburagi / Gulbarga (Karnataka)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	40	6
SC	13	2
ST	7	1
OBC-NCL	24	4
Defence	20	3
Total	~104	~16

Home State (Karnataka): 67% | Other States: 33%

Sainik School Kapurthala (Punjab)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	45	8
SC	15	3
ST	7	1
OBC-NCL	27	5
Defence	25	5
Total	~119	~22

Home State (Punjab): 67% | Other States: 33%

Sainik School Kazhakootam (Kerala)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	42	7
SC	13	2
ST	7	1
OBC-NCL	25	4
Defence	22	4
Total	~109	~18

Home State (Kerala): 67% | Other States: 33%

Sainik School Korukonda (Andhra Pradesh)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	44	7
SC	14	2
ST	7	1
OBC-NCL	26	5
Defence	24	4
Total	~115	~19

Home State (Andhra Pradesh): 67% | Other States: 33%

Sainik School Kunjpura (Haryana)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	45	8
SC	15	3
ST	7	1
OBC-NCL	27	5
Defence	25	5
Total	~119	~22

Home State (Haryana): 67% | Other States: 33%

Sainik School Nagrota (Jammu & Kashmir)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	38	6
SC	12	2
ST	8	1
OBC-NCL	22	4
Defence	20	3
Total	~100	~16

Home State (J&K): 67% | Other States: 33%

Sainik School Nalanda (Bihar)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	42	7
SC	14	2
ST	7	1
OBC-NCL	25	4
Defence	22	4
Total	~110	~18

Home State (Bihar): 67% | Other States: 33%

Sainik School Punglwa (Nagaland)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	30	5
SC	5	1
ST	15	3
OBC-NCL	15	2
Defence	15	3
Total	~80	~14

Home State (Nagaland): 67% | Other States: 33%

Sainik School Purulia (West Bengal)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	42	7
SC	14	2
ST	7	1
OBC-NCL	25	4
Defence	22	4
Total	~110	~18

Home State (West Bengal): 67% | Other States: 33%

Sainik School Rewa (Madhya Pradesh)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	45	8
SC	15	3
ST	8	1
OBC-NCL	27	5
Defence	25	5
Total	~120	~22

Home State (Madhya Pradesh): 67% | Other States: 33%

Sainik School Rewari (Haryana)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	42	7
SC	14	2
ST	7	1
OBC-NCL	25	4
Defence	22	4
Total	~110	~18

Home State (Haryana): 67% | Other States: 33%

Sainik School Sambalpur (Odisha)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	40	6
SC	13	2
ST	8	1
OBC-NCL	24	4
Defence	20	3
Total	~105	~16

Home State (Odisha): 67% | Other States: 33%

Sainik School Satara (Maharashtra)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	45	8
SC	15	3
ST	7	1
OBC-NCL	27	5
Defence	25	5
Total	~119	~22

Home State (Maharashtra): 67% | Other States: 33%

Sainik School Sujanpur Tira (Himachal Pradesh)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	38	6
SC	12	2
ST	7	1
OBC-NCL	22	3
Defence	20	3
Total	~99	~15

Home State (Himachal Pradesh): 67% | Other States: 33%

Sainik School Tilaiya (Jharkhand)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	44	7
SC	14	2
ST	8	1
OBC-NCL	26	5
Defence	24	4
Total	~116	~19

Home State (Jharkhand): 67% | Other States: 33%

Sainik School Tura (Meghalaya)

Category	Class 6	Class 9
General	30	5
SC	5	1
ST	15	3
OBC-NCL	15	2
Defence	15	3
Total	~80	~14

Home State (Meghalaya): 67% | Other States: 33%

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State-Wise Seat Distribution Summary

Here is a consolidated view of total seats by state:

State	School(s)	Approx. Total Seats
Rajasthan	Chittorgarh, Dholpur	~237
Maharashtra	Satara, Amravati, Chandrapur	~329
Uttar Pradesh	Jhansi	~144
Bihar	Gopalganj, Nalanda	~227
Haryana	Kunjpura, Rewari	~229
Karnataka	Bijapur, Kalaburagi	~213
Jharkhand	Tilaiya, Codallia	~216
Odisha	Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur	~220
Tamil Nadu	Amaravathi Nagar	~142
Gujarat	Balachadi	~137
Punjab	Kapurthala	~141
Madhya Pradesh	Rewa	~142
West Bengal	Purulia	~128
Uttarakhand	Ghorakhal	~127
Kerala	Kazhakootam	~127
Andhra Pradesh	Korukonda	~134
Himachal Pradesh	Sujanpur Tira	~114
Chhattisgarh	Ambikapur	~123
Assam	Goalpara	~122
Mizoram	Chhingchhip	~94
Manipur	Imphal	~100
Nagaland	Punglwa	~94
Meghalaya	Tura	~94
Arunachal Pradesh	East Siang	~94
Jammu & Kashmir	Nagrota	~116

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PPP-Mode Sainik Schools — The New Addition

In 2021, the Government of India launched the New Sainik Schools scheme under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Under this initiative, 69 schools across India have been approved to operate as Sainik Schools alongside the traditional MoD-run institutions.

Key Differences Between MoD and PPP Schools

Feature	MoD Sainik Schools	PPP Sainik Schools
Administration	Ministry of Defence	Private school + MoD oversight
Residential	Fully residential	Day scholars + boarding options
Fee Structure	Government-subsidised	Varies by school
Curriculum	CBSE	CBSE
AISSEE Required	Yes	Yes
NDA Focus	Primary	Primary
Seat Allocation	Through NTA AISSEE	Through NTA AISSEE

PPP School Seat Allocation

PPP-mode schools typically have smaller seat allocations, ranging from 40 to 80 seats per school across Class 6 and Class 9 combined. The reservation policy (SC/ST/OBC/Defence/Girls) applies equally to PPP schools.

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How Seats Are Allocated During Counselling

The AISSEE counselling process is where the seat matrix becomes actionable. Understanding this process is critical for maximising your chances of getting into your preferred school.

Step 1: AISSEE Result Declaration

After the exam (typically held in January), NTA declares results within 4–6 weeks. Results include:

• Subject-wise marks
• Total marks
• All India Rank (AIR)
• Category-wise rank

Step 2: Online Counselling Registration

Qualified candidates must register for counselling through the Sainik School Counselling portal. During registration, candidates:

• Select their preferred Sainik Schools (up to 10–15 choices)
• Upload category certificates
• Verify domicile documents

Step 3: First Round of Allotment

Seats are allotted based on:

1. AISSEE Rank (higher rank = priority)
2. Category reservation (seat is first matched to category)
3. School preference (your rank list of schools)
4. Seat availability in your preferred school and category

Step 4: Acceptance and Reporting

Candidates who receive a seat allotment must:

• Accept the seat online within the stipulated time
• Report to the allotted school for document verification
• Pay the admission fee

Step 5: Subsequent Rounds

Vacant seats from Round 1 are filled in Round 2, Round 3, and so on. Candidates who did not get their first preference may be upgraded in subsequent rounds.

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Strategic Insights for Seat Selection

Target Your Home State School

With 67% of seats reserved for home state candidates, your best statistical chance is always at the Sainik School located in your state. If your state has multiple schools (e.g., Maharashtra has three), evaluate which one has fewer applicants per seat.

Consider Less Popular Schools

Schools in the Northeast (Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh) typically have lower competition due to smaller applicant pools. If you are open to relocating, these schools offer significantly better odds.

Girls Quota Is Still Relatively New

Since the introduction of the 25% girls quota, competition among girls is still relatively lower compared to boys. Girl candidates should leverage this quota strategically.

Defence Category Advantage

If you are eligible for the Defence quota, you are competing in a much smaller pool. Ensure your Defence certificate is valid and up to date to avoid disqualification during counselling.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many seats are there in Sainik Schools in total?

Across all 33+ MoD Sainik Schools and 69 PPP-mode schools, there are approximately 10,000 seats available each year for Class 6 and Class 9 admissions combined.

What is the reservation for SC candidates in Sainik Schools?

15% of seats at every Sainik School are reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates.

How many seats are reserved for girls in Sainik Schools?

25% of seats in every Sainik School are reserved for girl candidates. This is a horizontal reservation that applies across all categories.

What is the home state quota in Sainik Schools?

Each Sainik School reserves 67% of its seats for candidates who are domiciles of the state where the school is located.

Are PPP-mode Sainik Schools different from regular Sainik Schools?

PPP-mode schools follow the same CBSE curriculum, the same AISSEE entrance exam, and the same reservation policy. The main differences are in administration, fee structure, and boarding/day scholar options.

How are seats allocated during counselling?

Seats are allocated based on AISSEE rank, category reservation, school preference order, and seat availability. The process is conducted online through multiple rounds.

Is there negative marking in AISSEE?

No, there is no negative marking in AISSEE. This means candidates should attempt all questions without fear of penalty.

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Related Articles

• Sainik School Admission 2027 — Complete Guide
• AISSEE 2027 Preparation Tips — Study Plan & Strategy
• Sainik School Fee Comparison — All Schools
• Sainik School Counselling 2027 — Step-by-Step Process
• AISSEE 2027 Exam Date — Complete Calendar

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Conclusion

The Sainik School seat matrix is your strategic compass for AISSEE 2027. With approximately 10,000 seats across 33+ MoD schools and 69 PPP-mode schools, understanding how these seats are distributed — by school, by category, by state, and by gender — is the key to making informed decisions during the counselling process.

Remember: 67% home state quota gives you the biggest advantage at your state’s school. 25% girls quota opens dedicated opportunities for female candidates. Defence quota significantly reduces competition for eligible candidates.

Start by identifying which schools fall in your home state, how many seats are available in your category, and then build your preparation strategy around those numbers. The data is now at your fingertips — use it wisely.

For more detailed preparation strategies, check out our AISSEE 2027 Preparation Tips and Sainik School Admission 2027 Guide.