Sainik School, Nalanda.
New Delhi: India’s Ministry of Defence today launched the fourth round of registrations for establishing new Sainik Schools under a partnership mode, opening an online portal at https://sainikschoolsociety.in from May 15 to June 14, 2025.
This initiative, part of the government’s ambitious plan to set up 100 new Sainik Schools in collaboration with state governments, NGOs, and the private sector, aims to transform educational opportunities across the nation while fostering discipline, leadership, and patriotism in students. As of May 2025, 86 schools have been approved to operate as new Sainik Schools, marking significant progress toward the goal announced in the 2021 Union Budget by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Sainik Schools, established in 1961 under the vision of then-Defence Minister V.K. Krishna Menon, were designed to prepare students academically, mentally, and physically for entry into the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Indian Naval Academy (INA), addressing regional and socio-economic imbalances in military officer recruitment. Managed by the Sainik Schools Society, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Defence, the original 33 Sainik Schools have produced over 7,000 officers for India’s armed forces, contributing 25-30% of cadets to the NDA and INA. These English-medium residential schools, affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), emphasise a holistic curriculum that blends academic rigour with physical training and value-based education.
The new Sainik Schools, operating under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, expand this legacy by integrating modern educational standards aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Unlike the traditional Sainik Schools, which are fully residential, the new schools offer flexibility: 14 of the initial 21 approved in 2022 have residential facilities, while seven function as day schools. These schools, affiliated with their respective education boards, operate under the Sainik Schools Society’s oversight and adhere to specific rules for the partnership mode. In addition to their standard curriculum, they deliver an “Academic-Plus” curriculum, which incorporates the Sainik School pattern of physical training, leadership development, and patriotic values.
The expansion began in 2022, with the Ministry of Defence approving 21 schools in the first round, followed by additional approvals, bringing the total to 86 by May 2025. Of the initial 21, 17 were existing (brownfield) schools, and four were new (greenfield) institutions. Twelve were managed by NGOs, trusts, or societies, six by private schools, and three by state governments. Admission to Class VI in these schools follows a dual-track system: at least 40% of seats are filled through the All-India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE), conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), with e-counseling, while up to 60% are allocated to students from the same school via a separate qualifying test. Up to 50% of students may receive scholarships of up to Rs 40,000 on a merit-cum-means basis, enhancing accessibility.
The initiative aligns with the government’s vision to provide quality education and career opportunities, particularly in the armed forces, while encouraging private-sector collaboration in nation-building. “The objectives behind setting up 100 new Sainik Schools are to provide quality education in tune with the National Education Policy and give students better career opportunities, including joining the armed forces,” the Ministry of Defence stated. The programme also promotes inclusivity, with opportunities for girls to join, as seen in schools like Sainik School Chittorgarh, established in 1961, which has adapted to modern educational needs.
The fourth round of registrations invites eligible schools, trusts, and NGOs to join this transformative effort. Interested parties can access detailed guidelines, including the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) and operational rules, at the Sainik Schools Society portal. The initiative has already seen academic sessions commence in several new schools, with nine starting in August 2022 and others following. The government encourages stakeholders to participate, emphasising the role of these schools in shaping disciplined, responsible citizens.
This expansion addresses the growing demand for military-oriented education and supports India’s self-reliance goals in defence and education. By blending traditional Sainik School values with contemporary curricula, the new schools aim to nurture future leaders while maintaining regional balance in defence recruitment. As the registration window closes on June 14, 2025, the Ministry of Defence urged institutions to seize this opportunity to contribute to India’s educational and national security landscape.
– global bihari bureau
