Maharashtra and Sainik Schools share a long history. The very first Sainik School in India opened in Maharashtra — in Satara, on 23 June 1961. It was the joint vision of Maharashtra's then Chief Minister Yashwantrao Chavan and Defence Minister V.K. Krishna Menon. More than 60 years later, Maharashtra now has three Sainik Schools — each with its own identity and importance.
This article covers all three Maharashtra Sainik Schools — the complete list, admission details, seats, fees, and facts that most websites leave out.
Maharashtra's Sainik Schools — Full List at a Glance
| School | Established | Location | Type | Classes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sainik School Satara | 23 June 1961 | Satara | Co-educational | VI to XII |
| Sainik School Chandrapur | 2019 | Chandrapur | Co-educational | VI to XII |
| Yogeshwari Sainik School, Ambajogai | 2026 | Beed (Ambajogai) | Day Boarding | New |
All three schools run under the Sainik Schools Society, Ministry of Defence, and are affiliated to CBSE.
1. Sainik School Satara — India's First Sainik School
Satara is where the entire Sainik School idea began. A 115-acre campus. Motto — "Nadanyam Na Palayanam" — Dignity and Valour.
According to the official records of the Sainik Schools Society, Ministry of Defence, this school has produced more than 580 NDA/UPSC ↗ selections to date — placing it consistently among the top performing Sainik Schools in the country.
Seats:
- Class 6 — approximately 75 seats, boys and girls both
- Class 9 — approximately 25 seats, boys only
Annual Fees: Approximately ₹1,85,000 — increases by roughly 10% every year
Home State Quota: 67% seats reserved for Maharashtra domicile students. Remaining 33% for other states.
Approximate Cut-Off — Class 6, Maharashtra Quota:
| Category | Cut-Off (out of 300) |
|---|---|
| General | 225–240 |
| OBC-NCL | 205–215 |
| SC/ST | 185–200 |
| Defence | 180–195 |
Satara's cut-off is among the highest in the country. A seat here is difficult to get — but not impossible with the right preparation.
2. Sainik School Chandrapur — Pride of Vidarbha
Chandrapur school opened in 2019 on a 123-acre campus. Motto — "Gyanay Danaaych, Rakshanaay."
As per the official AISSEE 2026 Information Bulletin published by NTA, Sainik School Chandrapur has 105 Class 6 seats — making it one of the highest seat-count Sainik Schools in the entire country.
Seats:
- Class 6 — 105 seats, 95 boys and 10 girls
- Class 9 — 29 seats, 27 boys and 2 girls
Home State Quota: 67% for Maharashtra students — meaning 69 seats go exclusively to Maharashtra children.
Annual Fees: Approximately ₹1,85,283
Approximate Cut-Off — Class 6, Maharashtra Quota:
| Category | Cut-Off (out of 300) |
|---|---|
| General | 210–225 |
| OBC-NCL | 190–205 |
| SC/ST | 170–185 |
| Defence | 170–185 |
Chandrapur has more seats and a slightly lower cut-off than Satara — making it a big opportunity for children from Vidarbha and Marathwada.
3. Yogeshwari Sainik School, Ambajogai — A New Door for Marathwada
This school is located in Ambajogai, Beed district. It is a Day Boarding school — students can travel from home daily, it is not fully residential. For families in Latur, Nanded, Osmanabad, and Beed this is a significant development. Admission happens through AISSEE — same process, same eligibility as all other Sainik Schools.
Admission Process — Same for All Three Schools
As per the official NTA AISSEE portal, admission happens in five steps:
Step 1: Fill the AISSEE form online. Official link: exams.nta.nic.in/sainik-school-society
Step 2: Pay application fee — General/OBC/Defence ₹800, SC/ST ₹650
Step 3: AISSEE exam in January — OMR based, offline mode
Step 4: Result in February-March, followed by e-counselling for school selection
Step 5: Medical test. Final merit list in June.
Eligibility — Quick Recap
| Class | Age | Who Can Apply |
|---|---|---|
| Class 6 | 10–12 years (as of 31 March) | Boys and Girls both |
| Class 9 | 13–15 years (as of 31 March) | Boys only |
Indian citizenship is mandatory. A valid pass certificate from the previous class is required.
One Important Thing Maharashtra Parents Must Understand
Maharashtra's Home State quota is large — but so is the competition inside it. Well-prepared children from Pune, Mumbai, and Nashik come every year to take Satara seats. Children from Vidarbha and Marathwada often face a preparation head-start gap that has nothing to do with intelligence. The right coaching, the right timing, and consistent mock practice — these three things make the real difference.
