The National Testing Agency (NTA) is gearing up to release the crucial hall tickets for the All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE) 2026. Candidates aiming for admission to Class 6 and Class 9 in the prestigious Sainik Schools across the country can expect their admit cards to be available for download shortly on the official portal.
Key Dates and Download Details for AISSEE Hall Tickets
According to the latest updates, the AISSEE 2026 admit cards are anticipated to be released just two to three days before the examination. The entrance test itself is scheduled to be conducted on January 18, 2026. This means aspirants should vigilantly check the official NTA website for Sainik Schools, exams.nta.nic.in/sainik-school-society, around January 15 or 16, 2026.
Prior to this, the NTA had already provided candidates with their city intimation slips on January 6, 2026, informing them of their allotted exam city. For reference, in the previous cycle (AISSEE 2025), the admit cards were issued on March 26 for an exam scheduled on April 5.
Exam Structure and Pattern for Classes 6 and 9
The AISSEE 2026 will be conducted in the traditional pen-and-paper mode using OMR sheets. The examination will be held across 190 cities in India, ensuring wide accessibility.
For Class 6 Aspirants
The entrance test for Class 6 will have a duration of 150 minutes (2.5 hours). It will be offered in 13 languages, including English and Hindi, to cater to students from diverse linguistic backgrounds. The question paper will consist of 125 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) carrying a total of 300 marks.
The subject-wise distribution is as follows:
- Language: 25 questions (50 marks)
- Mathematics: 50 questions (150 marks)
- Intelligence: 25 questions (50 marks)
- General Knowledge: 25 questions (50 marks)
For Class 9 Aspirants
The Class 9 entrance exam will be 180 minutes (3 hours) long and will be conducted exclusively in English. It comprises 150 MCQs with a total weightage of 400 marks.
The breakdown for Class 9 is:
- Mathematics: 50 questions (200 marks)
- English: 25 questions (50 marks)
- Intelligence: 25 questions (50 marks)
- General Science: 25 questions (50 marks)
- Social Science: 25 questions (50 marks)
Passing Criteria and Broader Admission Scope
To qualify for admission, general category candidates must secure a minimum of 25% marks in each subject section and an overall aggregate of at least 40%. However, there is an important exemption: candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) categories are not required to meet this minimum marks criteria.
The AISSEE 2026 serves as the gateway for admissions to 33 established Sainik Schools in India for Classes 6 and 9. Additionally, it will facilitate entry into Class 6 in all 69 newly approved Sainik Schools. Notably, 19 of these new schools have also been cleared to admit students to Class 9 for the 2026–27 academic session, significantly expanding opportunities.
After the examination, the results are expected to be declared within four to six weeks. All crucial updates regarding admit card downloads, exam city details, and result announcements will be posted on the NTA's official websites: nta.ac.in and exams.nta.nic.in/sainik-school-society. Candidates are strongly advised to monitor these portals regularly to avoid missing any important notifications.
