AISSEE 2027 (Sainik School) photo, signature and thumb impression size, step by step

Latest update

NTA opened the AISSEE 2027 online form on 3 Nov 2026.

• The exam is for admission to Class VI and Class IX in Sainik Schools.
• The last date is 2 Dec 2026, up to 11:50 PM.
• The exam is on 31 Jan 2027 (Sunday). It is a pen-and-paper (OMR) test.

Source: NTA Public Notice dated 3 Nov 2026 and the AISSEE 2027 Information Bulletin.

Key dates

Class VI exam: 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM (150 minutes).

Class IX exam: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (180 minutes).

Fee

• Pay online only: debit card, credit card, net banking or UPI.
• Bank charges and GST are extra.
• The fee is not refundable.

File sizes at a glance

NTA has not given a pixel size for the photo, signature or thumb impression. Only the KB range and JPG format are given. If a site gives a fixed pixel size for AISSEE, that number is not from NTA.

Source: Bulletin para 7.2 and para 7.1.5.

Photograph rules

1. Passport-size colour photo.
2. Taken on or after 1 July 2026.
3. The Bulletin says the photo should preferably show the candidate's name and the date the photo was taken.
4. White background.
5. Face should cover about 80% of the photo. Ears must be clearly visible.
6. No cap. No goggles.
7. Spectacles only if the child wears them regularly.
8. No Polaroid photos. No computer-generated photos.
9. The photo need not be attested.
10. Keep 6 to 8 passport-size colour photos with white background. You will need them later.

Important: Upload only the candidate's own photo. A fabricated, defaced or someone else's photo is treated as Unfair Means (UFM). The candidature is cancelled.

Signature rules

1. Take a plain white paper.
2. Use a Black ink pen.
3. The candidate signs the full signature in running handwriting.
4. Not in capital letters.
5. Scan or photograph it. Save as JPG, 10 KB to 50 KB.

A form without a signature is rejected. Someone else's signature is UFM.

Left-hand thumb impression rules

1. Take a plain white paper.
2. Use Blue ink (a blue stamp pad).
3. Press the left-hand thumb once. Do not smudge it.
4. Scan it. Save as JPG, 10 KB to 50 KB.
5. An unclear impression is rejected.

If the left thumb is not available, the Bulletin allows the right-hand thumb impression.

Tips for a clear thumb impression (our tips, not NTA text)

• Use a little ink. Too much ink fills the lines.
• Press straight down. Lift straight up.
• Make 3–4 impressions on the paper. Crop the clearest one.
• Scan in daylight or with a scanner. Avoid shadows.

Certificates to keep ready (PDF, 50–300 KB)

1. Date of birth certificate from the competent authority (Municipal authority or Registrar of Births and Deaths).
2. Domicile certificate. If the child does not have one, the parent's domicile certificate may be uploaded.
3. Caste / category certificate, if applicable.
4. Service certificate (serving Defence) or PPO (ex-servicemen), if applicable.
5. Certificate from the Principal in the Appendix XII format, only if the child now studies in an approved New Sainik School.

Keep the originals safe. They are checked at admission. If an upload cannot be matched with the original, admission can be denied.

Step by step: how to apply

Step 1: Registration

1. Open exams.nta.nic.in/sainik-school-society.
2. Click the AISSEE 2027 registration link.
3. Use a unique email ID and unique mobile number. It can be the parent's.
4. Verify with OTP.

Note: Mobile number and email cannot be changed after fee payment.

Step 2: Fill the form and upload files

1. Log in. Note the Application Number.
2. Enter the name and parents' names as in school records.
3. Enter the date of birth as in the birth certificate / school records.
4. Choose 4 exam cities. The exam city has no link to the school you choose. The city choice cannot be changed later.
5. Upload the photo, signature, thumb impression and PDFs.
6. Check the preview before you move on.

Step 3: Pay the fee

1. Pay through the SBI or Union Bank of India gateway.
2. Wait for fee status OK.
3. Download and print the Confirmation Page.

Only the Confirmation Page proves your form is submitted. Money cut from the account is not proof.

If the status is not OK, the transaction is cancelled. Pay again. The cancelled amount is refunded to the same card or account later.

You do not need to send any printout to NTA by post.

Making files the right size

Photo (10–200 KB)

1. Open the Exam photo resizer (AISSEE preset).
2. Leave Photo selected. The KB range is already 10 to 200.
3. The crop is a starting shape. NTA has not given a pixel size. Do not stretch the face.
4. Download the JPG. Check the file size before upload.

Signature (10–50 KB)

1. Open the AISSEE signature preset.
2. The KB range is already 10 to 50.
3. Keep the lines dark and sharp. If the ink blurs, move Aim for towards sharper.

Thumb impression (10–50 KB)

1. Open the AISSEE thumb preset.
2. The KB range is already 10 to 50. NTA has not given a pixel size. The crop is a starting shape.
3. Keep the ridges clear. If they blur, aim for a sharper file.

Certificates (50–300 KB PDF)

1. Use Compress PDF.
2. Stay under 300 KB.
3. If the PDF is below 50 KB, scan at a higher quality. The form needs at least 50 KB.

Eligibility in short

Age is counted as on 31 Mar 2027.

• Class IX: the child must have passed Class VIII at the time of admission.
• Girls can apply for Class VI. For Class IX, girls can apply subject to vacancies.
• OBC-NCL must be in the central list (NCBC). If your caste is only in the state OBC list, choose General.

Correction window: 7–9 Dec 2026

• It opens only once.
• No change is allowed later, not even at counselling or admission.
• A change of category is possible only in this window.

NTA helpdesk for AISSEE 2027

• Phone: 011-40759000 / 011-69227700
• Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Saturday
• Email: aissee@nta.ac.in

Write your Application Number in every email.

Checklist before you pay

• Photo: colour, white background, ears visible, taken on or after 1 July 2026, JPG 10–200 KB
• Signature: black ink, running hand, not capitals, JPG 10–50 KB
• Left thumb: blue ink, clear, JPG 10–50 KB
• Certificates: PDF 50–300 KB each
• Name, parents' names and DOB match school records / birth certificate
• 4 exam cities chosen
• Mobile and email are correct (no change after payment)
• Only one application for the child

Official sources

• AISSEE portal
• AISSEE 2027 Information Bulletin (PDF)
• NTA Public Notice, 3 Nov 2026 (PDF)
• NTA