If your child has ever stood a little straighter when a soldier walked by, or if you have ever imagined them in uniform one day — this article is worth reading carefully. Rashtriya Military Schools are not widely talked about outside defence circles, but families who know about them guard that knowledge like something precious. And rightly so. These five schools offer a combination of academic rigour, physical development, character building, and military tradition that very few institutions in India can match. More importantly, they are accessible to any child in the country who is willing to prepare seriously and sit a competitive entrance exam.
This guide covers everything a parent needs to know — all five schools, where they are, what the fees look like, how admission works, and what it actually takes to get a seat.
What Is a Rashtriya Military School?
Rashtriya Military Schools — commonly called RMS — are residential schools run under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. They were originally established as King George's Royal Indian Military Schools during the British era, primarily to educate the children of military personnel. Over the decades they evolved, and today they admit civilian children alongside defence wards.
There are five Rashtriya Military Schools across India. Each one is affiliated to the CBSE ↗ board and follows a structured residential format. The schools run from Class 6 to Class 12 and are boys-only institutions. The curriculum blends strong academics with physical training, NCC, sports, and the kind of daily discipline that builds character from the inside out.
The schools are administered by the Army and are overseen by the Adjutant General's Branch. Every aspect of school life — from the way meals are served to the way the day is structured — carries a military stamp. Students who spend six years inside an RMS come out different. More focused, more resilient, and more ready for whatever comes next — whether that is the NDA ↗, a professional degree, or a career in any field they choose.
All 5 Rashtriya Military Schools in India
1. Rashtriya Military School, Chail — Himachal Pradesh
Chail sits in the hills of Himachal Pradesh at an altitude of around 2,250 metres. The school is set inside what was once the summer retreat of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala — a campus of extraordinary natural beauty and historic character. Walking onto the grounds of RMS Chail feels like stepping into a place that takes itself seriously in the best possible way.
Location: Chail, Solan District, Himachal Pradesh Established: 1925 Classes: VI to XII Affiliation: CBSE
The Chail campus is known for its cool climate, its sprawling grounds, and a sporting culture that runs deep. The school has produced officers, sportsmen, and professionals across generations. For a child who thrives in a structured outdoor environment, RMS Chail is among the finest places in the country to spend six formative years.
2. Rashtriya Military School, Ajmer — Rajasthan
RMS Ajmer is one of the oldest and most well-known of the five schools. Located in the historic city of Ajmer in Rajasthan, the school carries a long tradition of academic excellence and military culture. Its alumni include senior armed forces officers, bureaucrats, and professionals who speak of their time there with visible pride.
Location: Ajmer, Rajasthan Established: 1930 Classes: VI to XII Affiliation: CBSE
Ajmer's central location makes it accessible from most parts of North and West India. The school has strong academic results at the Class 10 and Class 12 board levels and a consistent record of students clearing NDA and other defence entrance exams after passing out.
3. Rashtriya Military School, Bangalore — Karnataka
RMS Bangalore is the southernmost of the five schools and the one that draws the largest number of applications from South India. Located in the defence cantonment area of Bangalore, it combines the advantages of a well-resourced campus with the energy of one of India's most dynamic cities nearby.
Location: Bangalore Cantonment, Karnataka Established: 1946 Classes: VI to XII Affiliation: CBSE
The Bangalore school is known for its strong science stream at the senior secondary level and its consistent board exam results. Families from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, and Karnataka tend to target this school specifically for its regional proximity and strong academic reputation.
4. Rashtriya Military School, Belgaum — Karnataka
RMS Belgaum — now officially Belagavi — is located in northern Karnataka, close to the Goa and Maharashtra borders. It serves as a natural choice for families from Maharashtra, Goa, and the northern Karnataka belt. The school sits within a well-established cantonment and carries the same military culture and academic standards as its four counterparts.
Location: Belagavi (Belgaum), Karnataka Established: 1946 Classes: VI to XII Affiliation: CBSE
RMS Belgaum has a strong track record in sports and has produced athletes alongside academic achievers. The campus environment is disciplined and focused, and the school maintains close ties with the surrounding military establishment.
5. Rashtriya Military School, Dholpur — Rajasthan
RMS Dholpur is the newest of the five schools and is located in Dholpur district in southeastern Rajasthan, close to the Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh borders. It draws students from Rajasthan, UP, MP, and Bihar, and has grown steadily in reputation since its establishment.
Location: Dholpur, Rajasthan Established: 1962 Classes: VI to XII Affiliation: CBSE
For families in central and eastern India, RMS Dholpur is often the most geographically practical choice. The school follows the same curriculum, the same residential structure, and the same military traditions as the other four schools.
Quick Comparison: All 5 RMS Schools at a Glance
| School | Location | State | Established | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RMS Chail | Chail, Solan | Himachal Pradesh | 1925 | North India, hill region families |
| RMS Ajmer | Ajmer | Rajasthan | 1930 | North & West India families |
| RMS Bangalore | Bangalore Cantonment | Karnataka | 1946 | South India families |
| RMS Belgaum | Belagavi | Karnataka | 1946 | Maharashtra, Goa, North Karnataka |
| RMS Dholpur | Dholpur | Rajasthan | 1962 | Central & East India families |
RMS Admission Process — How It Works
Admission to all five Rashtriya Military Schools happens through a single centralised entrance exam conducted by the Board of Rashtriya Military Schools. There is no separate exam for each school. Your child sits one paper and lists their school preferences. Seats are then allocated based on merit and preference.
Classes Open for Admission
RMS admits students at two entry points — Class 6 and Class 9. Class 6 admission is the more popular and more competitive of the two. Class 9 seats are fewer in number but remain a genuine option for families who missed the Class 6 window.
Who Can Apply
For Class 6:
- Age between 10 and 12 years as on 1st July of the year of admission
- Must have passed or be appearing in Class 5
For Class 9:
- Age between 13 and 15 years as on 1st July of the year of admission
- Must have passed or be appearing in Class 8
Both defence wards and civilian children are eligible. A percentage of seats in each school is reserved for wards of defence personnel, with the remaining seats open to civilian applicants on merit.
The Entrance Exam Pattern
The RMS entrance exam is conducted offline, in pen-and-paper format. The paper pattern differs slightly between Class 6 and Class 9.
Class 6 Paper:
- Mathematics
- English
- General Knowledge
- Intelligence
Class 9 Paper:
- Mathematics
- English
- Science
- Social Studies
- Intelligence
All questions are objective type. The paper is timed and designed to test not just subject knowledge but the speed and accuracy with which a child can apply that knowledge under pressure.
Selection Stages After the Written Exam
Clearing the written exam is only the first stage. Shortlisted students are then called for:
Medical Examination — Conducted at designated military hospitals. Standards are strict but not unusual for a healthy child. Vision, hearing, physical fitness, and general health are assessed.
Interview — A personal interaction that assesses confidence, general awareness, communication, and the child's overall personality. It is not a technical test — but it is a genuine test of how the child carries themselves.
Final merit is prepared considering the written exam score, medical fitness, and interview performance together.
RMS Fees Structure — What Parents Should Know
This is where Rashtriya Military Schools genuinely stand apart from most private boarding schools in India. The fee structure is kept deliberately accessible because these schools are run under government oversight and are designed to serve families across income levels — not just affluent ones.
Approximate Annual Fee Breakdown
| Category | Approximate Annual Fees |
|---|---|
| Wards of Defence Personnel (JCO/OR) | ₹ 35,000 – ₹ 55,000 |
| Wards of Defence Personnel (Officer) | ₹ 55,000 – ₹ 80,000 |
| Civilian Students | ₹ 90,000 – ₹ 1,10,000 |
These figures are approximate and subject to revision each academic year. Parents should verify current fee schedules directly with the respective school or the Board of Rashtriya Military Schools at the time of application.
The fees cover boarding, lodging, meals, tuition, uniform, and most school activities. When broken down against what the school provides — a fully residential six-year education with academic, physical, and character development included — the value is exceptional. Private boarding schools of comparable quality regularly charge five to ten times this amount.
Fee Concessions and Scholarships
Several concessions are available depending on category and financial background. Wards of war widows and gallantry award winners receive significant reductions. Families facing genuine financial hardship can apply for further consideration. The intent of the fee structure is inclusion, not exclusion.
Life Inside a Rashtriya Military School
Numbers and admission processes tell only part of the story. What actually happens inside these campuses is what makes RMS genuinely different.
The day begins early — typically before six in the morning. Physical training, parade, academics, sports, NCC, and evening activities follow a structured timetable that leaves little room for idleness but a great deal of room for growth. Students learn to manage time because they have no choice. They learn to work as a team because the school is built around it. They learn to lead because the system expects it.
Academic results at RMS schools are consistently strong. The Class 10 and Class 12 board results across all five schools tend to outperform state and national averages. But parents who have sent their children to RMS consistently say the same
