Defence Ministry Approves 21 New Sainik Schools Including One In Odisha

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has approved setting up of 21 new Sainik Schools across the country, including one in Odisha.

These schools will come up in partnership with NGOs, private schools and State governments, the Centre said on Saturday. 

The new schools will be distinct from the existing Sainik Schools, said the Ministry of Defence in a statement. 

“These schools will be set up in the initial round of the government’s initiative of setting up of 100 new Sainik schools across the country in partnership mode. They will be distinct from the existing Sainik Schools,” the Ministry said. 

As per the MoD, the objectives behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of setting up of 100 new Sainik Schools is to provide quality education to the students in tune with National Education Policy and give them better career opportunities, including joining the Armed Forces. 

“It also gives an opportunity to the private sector to work hand-in-hand with the Government towards nation building by refining today’s youth to become responsible citizens of tomorrow,” the Ministry said.

Seventeen of these schools are Brownfield running schools and four are Greenfield schools to be operational shortly. While NGOs/ Trusts /Societies have share of 12 approved new schools, six private Schools and three State Government owned schools find place in the list of such approved new Sainik Schools. 

Unlike existing Sainik Schools which are purely residential in nature, seven new Sainik Schools are Day School and 14 such new approved schools have residential arrangements.

In Odisha, a Sainik School will come up in Dhenkanal district. The school will be known as Sanskar Public School (Abakash Foundation). 

Sharing details about the admission process, the Ministry said, entry to the new Sainik Schools will be at Class VI level. At least 40 per cent of intake in Class VI will be from candidates who have qualified the All-India Sainik School Entrance Examination conducted by NTA through E-Counselling.

Similarly, up to 60 per cent intake will be from students enrolled in the same school and desirous of taking admission under this vertical of new Sainik Schools through a qualifying test, notification for which will be issued separately.

The academic session for approved new Sainik Schools is likely to commence in first week of May 2022.