The scheme for new Sainik Schools is “well thought out” and the “political or ideological affiliation or otherwise” of the applicant institution does not influence the selection process, the Defence Ministry said on April 3 responding to some reports stating that attempts to “politicize or distort” the objectives and implementation of the scheme by “casting aspersions on it are unwarranted and misleading”.
“The selection process itself is rigorous, checks and balances have been built in to ensure continuing adherence to the objectives and strong incentives are in place to provide financial support to deserving students,” a Ministry statement issued late in the evening said.
Sainik Schools were established in the 1960s under the Sainik Schools Society (SSS), which is under the Ministry and there are 33 existing schools with an admission capacity of approximately 3,000 students in Class 6. Given the demand for Sainik Schools, the Union Cabinet had in October 2021 approved the proposal for launching 100 Sainik Schools under public private partnership to be affiliated with SSS.
