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Complete list of all 5 Rashtriya Military Schools — locations, fees, CET exam pattern, admission process & expert coaching. Total impressions: 43,000+ monthly searches.
There are 5 Rashtriya Military Schools (RMS) in India: Chail, Ajmer, Dholpur, Bengaluru, and Belgaum. Often searched simply as "military school in India," RMS are English medium residential public schools run by the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Established in 1922, they are among the oldest and most prestigious public schools in the country and are founding members of the Indian Public Schools' Conference (IPSC).
There are exactly 5 Rashtriya Military Schools in India — located at Chail (Himachal Pradesh), Ajmer and Dholpur (Rajasthan), and Belgaum and Bengaluru (Karnataka). Cadets are admitted to Class VI and Class IX through a Common Entrance Test (CET) conducted under the Integrated Headquarters, Ministry of Defence (Army).
The motto of all Rashtriya Military Schools is "Sheelam Param Bhushanam" — "Character is the highest virtue" — inscribed on the school crest with a torch, symbolising enlightenment and values. Young Star Defence Academy's RMS coaching program is led by founder Prashant Singh.
Every RMS school — full profiles, history, location and what makes each one unique. All 5 RMS schools admit through the same CET held in December.
Situated in the scenic Shimla Hills at over 2,000 metres altitude, RMS Chail was originally known as King George V's Royal Indian Military School, founded by the Prince of Wales in 1922. It began functioning in 1925 at Jalandhar Cantt before moving to its present hilltop campus. Students from across North India — especially Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and J&K — target this school. Parents of selected students should note the cold climate and provide warm woolen clothing.
Spread over 87 panoramic acres with views of surrounding hills, RMS Ajmer was founded as King George's Royal Indian Military School. A Category 'A' CBSE establishment under the Ministry of Defence, it is one of the largest and most well-equipped RMS campuses. Active member of IPSC since 1954. Students from Rajasthan, MP, Gujarat and Maharashtra frequently target RMS Ajmer. Annual fees for civilians: ₹51,000.
The youngest of the five Rashtriya Military Schools, RMS Dholpur is the only one raised after Independence. Housed in the regal palace of the erstwhile Maharaja of Dholpur on the Dholpur Bari Highway, the school's campus spans over 1,500 acres of Royal Estate — making it one of the most expansive school campuses in India. Dholpur military school fees and admission are the same as other RMS schools.
Established to serve wards of defence personnel from South India, RMS Bengaluru was originally King George Royal Indian Military College. CBSE affiliated since 1967, the school houses cadets in Rajaji, Nehru, Tagore and Shastri Houses. The school celebrated its Diamond Jubilee in December 2006 and was redesignated Rashtriya Military School Bengaluru in July 2007. Primary choice for students from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Founded as King George VI Royal Indian Military College, RMS Belgaum is ideally located in Belgaum Cantonment — one of the fastest-growing cities in northwest Karnataka bordering Maharashtra and Goa. The fourth such institution set up in India, it was reorganised on public school lines in July 1952 and affiliated to CBSE in 1963. Approximately 100 km from Hubli, well connected by rail and road. Popular with students from Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka.
Admission to Class VI and Class IX is through a Common Entrance Test (CET) held in December every year. The test is fully OMR-based. All admissions are boarders only — no day scholars are permitted at any of the 5 RMS schools. Applications are submitted on the official RMS website, and the CET registration form itself is hosted on the NIELIT application portal — click here to fill the form. For our detailed step-by-step guide, see RMS Admission Process and the current RMS Admission Form Last Date.
Boys and Girls between 10 to 12 years of age as on 31st March of the year of admission. Must have passed or be studying in Class V. Six months age relaxation for wards of personnel killed in action.
Boys and Girls between 13 to 15 years of age as on 31st March of the year of admission. Must have passed Class VIII from a recognised school. Knowledge of English preferred as it is the medium of instruction.
For Class VI: Must have passed or be studying in Class V and pass before the date of admission. For Class IX: Must have passed Class VIII from a government or recognised school.
All candidates must undergo medical fitness examination as per AFMSF-2 norms at listed hospitals. Admission is provisional until the fitness certificate is received. No change of Medical Exam Centre is allowed.
| S.No. | Event | Date / Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Online Application — Class VI & IX | September–October (annually) |
| 2 | Written Examination — Class VI & IX | December (intimated via SMS & E-Mail) |
| 3 | Result Hosting | NIELIT website — with category-wise cut-off marks |
| 4 | Interview (written-test qualifiers) | At one of the five Rashtriya Military Schools |
| 5 | Medical Examination | At listed hospitals — AFMSF-2 norms |
The RMS Common Entrance Test is fully OMR-based. Question papers are bilingual (English & Hindi) for Class VI and English only for Class IX. Syllabus is Class V standard for Class VI and Class VIII standard for Class IX. See the full RMS Syllabus, practice with our RMS Mock Tests, and prepare with recommended RMS Books.
| Subject | Max Marks | Min to Qualify |
|---|---|---|
| English (qualifying only — not in merit) | 50 | 35% |
| Intelligence Test | 50 | 40% |
| Mathematics | 50 | 40% |
| General Knowledge & Current Affairs | 50 | 40% |
| Interview | 20 | — |
| TOTAL (merit) | 170 | — |
Bilingual · Class V standard · English marks NOT counted in merit list
| Paper | Subjects | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | English (50) + Hindi (20) + Social Science (30) | 100 |
| Paper 2 | Mathematics (50) + Science (50) | 100 |
| Interview | — | 50 |
| TOTAL | — | 250 |
English only · Class VIII standard · Min 50% in each paper to qualify for interview
RMS fees are heavily subsidised by the Ministry of Defence — making them one of the most affordable premium residential schools in India. Caution money is refunded without interest on discharge. All fees below are per year (tuition only). See our detailed Military School Fees breakdown, and check eligibility for our Scholarship Test for Class 4 students preparing early.
| Category | Type | Annual Tuition Fee | Caution Money (One-time) |
|---|---|---|---|
| OR & equivalents (Navy/IAF incl. Ex-Servicemen) | Entitled | ₹12,000 | ₹1,200 |
| JCO & equivalents (Navy/IAF incl. Ex-Servicemen) | Entitled | ₹18,000 | ₹1,800 |
| Officers of all three Services (incl. Retired) | Non-Entitled | ₹32,000 | ₹3,800 |
| Civilians | Non-Entitled | ₹51,000 | ₹6,000 |
| SC / ST (all categories) | Both | 25% of category fee | ₹6,000 |
The daily schedule gives cadets an active campus life with adequate rest, academics, PT and personal time. Timings may vary by school and season.
One of the most searched questions: "What is the difference between Military School and Sainik School in India?" Here is the definitive comparison:
| Feature | Rashtriya Military School (RMS) | Sainik School |
|---|---|---|
| Total schools in India | 5 schools only | 133 schools across India |
| Run by | Ministry of Defence, Govt. of India | Ministry of Education + State Govts. |
| Admission Exam | RMS CET (December) | AISSEE — All India Sainik School Entrance Exam |
| Admission to | Class VI and Class IX only | Class VI and Class IX only |
| Type | Fully residential — boarders only | Fully residential — boarders only |
| Affiliation | CBSE | CBSE |
| Annual fee (civilian) | ₹51,000 max (heavily subsidised) | Varies — typically ₹80,000–₹1,50,000+ |
| Competition level | Extremely high — only 5 schools | Very high — 133 schools, more seats |
| Military environment | Strict military routine, drill, PT daily | Military-inspired — varies by school |
| Primary focus | NDA, SSB, Indian Armed Forces | NDA, SSB, Indian Armed Forces |
| Girls eligible? | Yes — Class VI & IX | Yes — Class VI (20 seats per 100) & Class IX |
Targeting RIMC instead? See our complete guide to Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC).
There are exactly 5 Rashtriya Military Schools (RMS) in India: RMS Chail (Himachal Pradesh), RMS Ajmer (Rajasthan), RMS Dholpur (Rajasthan), RMS Bengaluru (Karnataka), and RMS Belgaum (Karnataka). All five are English medium, CBSE affiliated, fully residential schools under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. They admit students to Class VI and Class IX through the RMS Common Entrance Test (CET) held in December each year.
An RMS school (Rashtriya Military School) is an English medium, CBSE affiliated, fully residential public school run by the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. There are 5 RMS schools in India: Chail, Ajmer, Dholpur, Bengaluru and Belgaum. All 5 RMS schools admit students to Class VI and Class IX through the same Common Entrance Test (CET) held every December.
The complete list of Rashtriya Military Schools in India: 1. RMS Chail — Shimla Hills, Himachal Pradesh (Est. 1922) | 2. RMS Ajmer — Rajasthan (Est. 1930) | 3. RMS Dholpur — Rajasthan (Est. 1962) | 4. RMS Bengaluru — Karnataka (Est. 1946) | 5. RMS Belgaum — Karnataka (Est. 1945). All 5 admit via the same RMS CET held in December every year. Total military school count in India = 5 Rashtriya Military Schools.
All 5 Rashtriya Military Schools are premier institutions under the Ministry of Defence and are considered equally prestigious. Among them, RMS Chail (established 1922, Himachal Pradesh) and RMS Ajmer (established 1930, Rajasthan) are the oldest. RMS Bengaluru is the top choice for students from South India. The "best" RMS school depends on your geography, preference and target state quota. Young Star Defence Academy prepares students for all 5 RMS schools — with 42,000+ selections nationwide.
RMS fees are heavily subsidised by the Ministry of Defence. Civilian category: ₹51,000 per year (maximum). Defence personnel fees are much lower — OR category: ₹12,000/year, JCO category: ₹18,000/year, Officers: ₹32,000/year. SC/ST candidates pay only 25% of their respective category fee. A one-time refundable caution money is also required. Full fee remission is available for cadets whose parents' annual income is below ₹3,00,000. This makes RMS one of the most affordable elite residential schools in India.
Key differences: Military Schools (RMS) are run by the Ministry of Defence — there are only 5 in India, making them more exclusive. Sainik Schools are run by the Ministry of Education — there are 133 schools across India, so more seats are available. Both are fully residential and CBSE affiliated. RMS fees are more subsidised. RMS admission is through CET (December); Sainik School admission is through AISSEE. RMS has a stricter military daily routine. Both primarily prepare students for NDA and the Indian Armed Forces.
For Class VI: The CET is bilingual (English & Hindi) at Class V standard. It covers English (50 marks — qualifying only, not counted in merit), Intelligence Test (50 marks), Mathematics (50 marks), GK & Current Affairs (50 marks), and Interview (20 marks). Total merit marks: 170. For Class IX: English-only at Class VIII standard. Paper 1: English + Hindi + Social Science (100 marks). Paper 2: Mathematics + Science (100 marks). Interview: 50 marks. Total: 250 marks. Minimum 50% required in each paper to qualify for interview.
The motto of all Rashtriya Military Schools is "Sheelam Param Bhushanam" which translates to "Character is the highest virtue." This motto is inscribed on the RMS school crest along with a torch, symbolising enlightenment and the values that RMS schools aim to build in their cadets. The same motto and crest design is used across all 5 Rashtriya Military Schools in India.
Step-by-step RMS admission process: 1) Check age eligibility — 10-12 years for Class VI, 13-15 years for Class IX, as on 31st March. 2) Register online at rashtriyamilitaryschools.edu.in when applications open (September-October). 3) Prepare for the CET — Class V syllabus for Class VI, Class VIII syllabus for Class IX. 4) Appear for the OMR-based written exam in December. 5) Qualify the interview at one of the 5 RMS schools. 6) Clear the AFMSF-2 medical examination. Young Star Defence Academy provides end-to-end coaching for all stages.
Yes. Girls are eligible to apply for admission to Class VI and Class IX at all 5 Rashtriya Military Schools. The admission process — CET exam, interview, and medical — is the same for both boys and girls. Young Star Defence Academy provides dedicated coaching for girl students targeting RMS schools, with separate hostel facilities at our Amritsar campus.
RMS Chail follows the same fee structure as all other Rashtriya Military Schools, set by the Ministry of Defence. Civilian students: ₹51,000 per year. Defence personnel pay: OR category ₹12,000, JCO ₹18,000, Officers ₹32,000. SC/ST pay 25% of respective category. One-time caution money also applies (₹1,200 to ₹6,000 depending on category, fully refundable). Fee remissions and scholarships are available based on income.
RMS CET results are hosted on the NIELIT website (nielit.gov.in) along with category-wise cut-off marks. Registered candidates can log in using their credentials to check individual marks. The official result link is also available at rashtriyamilitaryschools.edu.in. Candidates who qualify the written test are intimated by SMS and email for the interview round held at one of the 5 RMS campuses. See our RMS Results & Merit List page for updates each year.
Yes — civilian children are fully eligible to apply for all 5 Rashtriya Military Schools. No military background is required. Civilians simply pay a higher fee (₹51,000/year) compared to defence families. The same CET exam and selection process applies. Many top performers at RMS schools come from civilian families. Young Star Defence Academy successfully coaches hundreds of civilian students into RMS schools every year.
