Something trips up a lot of families during AISSAC counselling. They treat all Sainik Schools as one category. They look at one cut off number, decide their child is close to it, and fill the form accordingly.
But Old Sainik Schools and New Sainik Schools don't compete at the same level. They never have. And looking at the last two years of data makes this very clear.
Here's the full breakdown - what cut offs looked like in 2024 and 2025, how the two types of schools compare, and what this means practically when you're filling the AISSAC choice list in 2026.
What Separates These Two Types of Schools
Before the numbers, a quick clarification because this confuses many parents.
Old Sainik Schools are the original 33 government-run residential institutions under the Ministry of Defence, directly managed by the Sainik Schools Society. They've been around since the 1960s and have established track records, consistent infrastructure, and deeply embedded selection processes.
New Sainik Schools came in under a Public-Private Partnership model - schools that run in the Sainik pattern but are managed by NGOs, private institutions, or state governments. These recently established institutions under the PPP model have gained popularity among students aiming for disciplined, defence-oriented education. There are 38 of them now under AISSEE ↗ 2026. Students who appeared in AISSEE must clear the cut off marks to be eligible for e-counselling and final admission at both traditional and new Sainik Schools.
Same entrance exam. Same counselling portal. Different cut offs.
Two-Year Cut Off Comparison - Class 6 (Out of 300 Marks)
2024 Data - Old Sainik Schools
AISSEE 2024 was conducted by NTA for admission into both traditional and New Sainik Schools. Based on previous year trends and early data from admission rounds, the cut off for General category at Old Sainik Schools for Class 6 ranged between 220 and 240 marks.
Category-wise picture for 2024, Old Sainik Schools, Class 6:
- General: 220 - 240
- OBC-NCL: 190 - 215
- SC: 160 - 190
- ST: 140 - 170
- Defence: 190 - 215
2025 Data - Old Sainik Schools
The Sainik School cut off for 2025 typically ranged between 220 and 240 for General category in Class 6. More specifically, Sainik School 2025 cut off for general category remained around 200 to 250 for home state and 250 and above for other states.
Category-wise picture for 2025, Old Sainik Schools, Class 6:
- General (Home State): 200 - 250
- General (Other State): 250+
- OBC-NCL: 195 - 220
- SC: 165 - 195
- ST: 145 - 175
- Defence: 195 - 218
Sainik School cut off 2025 was slightly higher than the previous year's cut off. That one-line observation from the 2025 data tells you everything about the trajectory - scores needed are creeping up year on year.
What About New Sainik Schools in 2024 and 2025?
Newly established schools tend to have lower cut offs initially. That pattern has held consistently across both years.
New Sainik Schools, Class 6, estimated from 2024-2025 trend data:
- General: 170 - 210
- OBC-NCL: 150 - 185
- SC: 130 - 160
- ST: 110 - 145
- Defence: 150 - 185
The gap between an Old Sainik School and a New Sainik School cut off in General category for Class 6 runs between 30 and 50 marks. That's not a small gap. A child who scores 195 has almost no realistic path into a competitive Old Sainik School but falls comfortably within range at several New Sainik Schools.
Two-Year Cut Off Comparison - Class 9 (Out of 400 Marks)
2024 Data - Old Sainik Schools
The General category Class 9 cut off typically ranged between 300 and 350 for 2025 data, and similar ranges applied in 2024. The AISSEE 2026 Class 9 cut off marks for General category are expected to be between 310 and 350.
Category-wise picture for 2024, Old Sainik Schools, Class 9:
- General: 280 - 315
- OBC-NCL: 245 - 280
- SC: 205 - 245
- ST: 175 - 215
- Defence: 240 - 278
2025 Data - Old Sainik Schools, Class 9
- General: 300 - 350
- OBC-NCL: 255 - 290
- SC: 215 - 255
- ST: 185 - 225
- Defence: 250 - 285
Class 9 cut offs rose noticeably between 2024 and 2025 across all categories. The General range moved upward by roughly 15 to 20 marks at the competitive end. That reflects tightening competition as fewer Class 9 seats exist compared to Class 6, and as overall preparation quality improves nationally.
New Sainik Schools, Class 9, 2024-2025:
Most New Sainik Schools don't offer Class 9 entry through AISSEE. Those that do typically see:
- General: 230 - 275
- OBC-NCL: 200 - 240
- SC: 170 - 205
- ST: 145 - 180
- Defence: 200 - 235
The gap here - between Old and New Sainik School Class 9 cut offs in General - runs roughly 40 to 60 marks. Even more pronounced than Class 6.
School-Specific Data Points Worth Knowing
Looking at individual schools makes the comparison concrete.
Sainik School Kapurthala cut off for General category ranges between 200 and 250 - the lowest among Old Sainik Schools. That's been consistent in both 2024 and 2025. State-wise, Punjab has a lower competitive applicant base than Maharashtra or Rajasthan, which keeps Kapurthala accessible even within the Old Sainik School category.
Sainik School Satara in Maharashtra shows a home state Class 6 cut off ranging around 278 to 280 for General category - one of the higher cut offs in the country. Maharashtra consistently produces a large volume of high-scoring applicants, and Satara reflects that pressure.
Between these two Old Sainik Schools alone, the cut off gap in the same category spans nearly 70 marks. That range is wider than the gap between the average Old Sainik School and several New Sainik Schools. The type of school matters less than where it's located and how competitive its specific applicant base is.
What the Two-Year Trend Tells You for 2026
Three things stand out clearly from 2024 and 2025 data:
Old Sainik School cut offs are rising. Cut offs have risen consistently every year as applicant numbers grow while seats remain limited. What was a safe score two years ago may be a borderline score in 2026. Don't use 2023 data as your benchmark.
New Sainik School cut offs remain consistently lower. The gap between NSS and Old Sainik Schools hasn't closed significantly. For families whose child scored in the 175 to 210 range for Class 6, New Sainik Schools remain genuinely accessible options - not consolation prizes.
Home state matters more than school type. A General category candidate from Punjab at Sainik School Kapurthala with 210 marks has better odds than the same candidate applying outside state to a New Sainik School in Maharashtra. The domicile filter reshapes the competitive picture more than any other single variable.
How to Use This Data in Your AISSAC 2026 Choice List
Take your child's actual score. Look at which category - General, OBC, SC, ST, DEF - and which domicile situation applies at each school you're considering. Then compare against the 2024-2025 range for that exact profile.
If the score sits comfortably above the 2025 cut off for a school's home-state General cut off - realistic choice, goes in the middle of your list.
If it's 10 to 20 marks below - possible in later rounds, goes lower in the list as a longer shot.
If it's well above the New Sainik School cut off range - include two or three NSS schools in your lower slots as genuine safety options. New Sainik Schools tend to have lower cut offs and are a good entry point for candidates aiming to join the Sainik School pattern of education.
Students shall continuously check the official site and hurry to check if they have made it to the cut off of their desired school - there will be more rounds of cut off releases. Don't make a decision once and stop checking. Cut offs move each round. A school that looked out of reach in Round 1 might become reachable by Round 3.