The parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence has recommended to the Ministry of Defence that students of Sainik Schools, Rashtriya Military Schools, and RIMC (Rashtriya Indian Military College) should be motivated to pursue careers not only in the Armed Forces but also in allied fields related to defence research, innovation, design and medicine.

The move is in consonance with growing trend of students of such schools -- dedicated to provide human resource for armed forces -- are exploring opportunities outside the uniformed forces.

“The Committee recommend that the Ministry, through these schools and colleges, adopt a multi-pronged approach to build awareness and instil a sense of purpose aligned with students’ interests from an early stage. Such an approach would ensure holistic development and enable students to emerge as responsible citizens and future leaders of the nation,” read the 23rd report on “Review of Sainik Schools, Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) and Rashtriya Military Schools.”

At present there are 33 Sainik Schools, which start from sixth standard onwards, but the government has approved setting up of 100 more such schools in partnership mode with NGO’s/private schools/State governments in a graded manner. Of them, Sainik Schools Society has approved 86 new schools so far in partnership mode with NGO’s/private schools/State governments.

Out of 86, Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) has been signed with only 64 new Sainik Schools and Academic Session has already begun in 45 such schools. The Committee are constrained to note that the signing of MoA in respect of 22 newly approved Sainik Schools is pending for want of requisite documents.

The Committee has suggested to expedite the process as it expressed concern that the process for evaluation of applications to approve 14 New Sainik schools 54 is still not completed by Sainik Schools Society.

In FY 2023-24, out of the allocated budget of ₹175.87 crore, ₹152.43 crore was allocated for Sainik Schools. The balance amount of ₹23.44 crore was surrendered to the government. Although the amount of ₹152.43 crore, as stated by the Ministry was adequate to fulfil the obligation of MoD towards functioning of Sainik Schools, the Committee stated that surrendered amount of ₹23.44 crore could have been gainfully utilised towards various other issues, especially for improving infrastructure of Sainik Schools.

There are five Military Schools and one Military College. As per the data shared with the parliamentary panel, the average drop out of students from Sainik Schools is 6.93 per cent, while it’s 6.96 per cent in Rashtriya Military Schools and 7.1 per cent in RIMC.

The Committee has suggested to the Ministry to review its existing Sainik Schools Society Rules & Regulations, 1997 (SSSR&R, 1997) for considering exemption and provisions for minimising or subsidising fees to the students belonging to economically weaker sections of the society for their admissions so that they also get an opportunity to serve the nation.

As of now, reservation in admission to Sainik School is being provided to students belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. But, the panel wants it to be increased to other economically weaker sections as well.

Published on March 19, 2026