Sainik School, Lucknow was established in July 1960.  It was the first Sainik School in India. Later, other Sainik Schools were established under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey UP Sainik School is a co-educational school affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The UP Sainik School Society manages and administers this institution. From the academic session 2024-25, UP Sainik School, Gorakhpur has also started functioning. Hence, there is a better opportunity for students to secure their seats in one of the two schools. These schools are fully financed and managed by the State Government.

Much before anyone in the country thought of setting up an institution as a pre-preparation for the National Defence Academy, Dr Sampurnanand, the then Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, had the vision of conceiving the idea. He observed that Uttar Pradesh, the most populous State of the Union, had a very poor representation in the officers’ cadre of the Armed forces. Thus, playing the role of a pioneer and a visionary leader, he established a school in Lucknow as early as 1960 to train selected state students for a career in the Officers’ cadre of the Defence Force of India through the National Defence Academy. Dr. Sampurnanand established Sainik School, Lucknow in July 1960 to fulfill his vision. The alumni of Sainik School, Lucknow Capt Manoj Pandey posthumously received the Param Vir Chakra. The school is now named Capt Manoj Kumar Pandey UP Sainik School.

UP Sainik School takes admission in classes 6th and 9th. 

For more details visit https://www.upsainikschool.org/

Click the following link to download the prospectus for academic session 2026-27  https://upsainikschool.org/entranceexam2025/public/school-prospectus

UP Sainik School Scheme of Examination for Class VI 

The UP Sainik School exam for class VI is an OMR sheet-based exam consisting of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). It comprises four subjects, namely, Mathematics, Intelligence, English, and General Knowledge. Students need to pass each section individually to clear the written examination.  The detailed pattern is as follows:

No negative marking 

For admission to UP Sainik School for academic session 2027-28, candidates must fulfill the following eligibility criteria:

(i) Domicile: The applicant and Father of the applicant must be a domicile of UP.

(ii) Date of Birth: 
(a) For Class VI: 02 Jul 2015 to 01 Jan 2018 (both dates inclusive)
(b) For Class IX: 02 Jul 2012 to 01 Jan 2015 (both dates inclusive)

(iii) Gender: Applicants can appear in the exam as per the following details:
U P Sainik School, Lucknow – Class 6 (Only Boys are eligible), Class 9 (Boys & Girls both are eligible)
U P Sainik School, Gorakhpur – Class 6 (Boys & Girls both are eligible), Class 9 (Boys & Girls both are eligible)

(iv) Educational Qualification: Must have passed classes V and VIII for admission in class VI and IX respectively by 20 May 2027 from a recognized school.

Exam Date: The tentative date for the conduct of the UP Sainik School entrance examination for admission to the academic session 2027-28 is 26 December 2026.

For more details visit https://www.upsainikschool.org/

Click the following link to download the prospectus   https://upsainikschool.org/entranceexam/public/school-prospectus

Important Timelines for UP Sainik School Exam (Dec 2026)

Candidates who qualify the written examination and clear the required cutoff are called for personal interview.

What is Checked in the UP Sainik School Interview?

The interview panel mainly assesses:

• Confidence
• Communication skills
• Adaptability
• General knowledge
• Manners & discipline
• Logical thinking
• Awareness about RMS, armed forces, and your own background