Ministry of Defence has rejected media reports that New Sainik Schools are being allocated to institutions based on their political or ideological affiliations. The Ministry has said that such insinuations are unfounded. It added that Sainik Schools were established in the 1960s under the Sainik Schools Society. The Ministry mentioned that considering the significant success of the existing 33 Sainik Schools, there has been a continual demand for additional Sainik Schools in the country. The Ministry further stated that with the vision to provide the benefit of Sainik School pattern education to youth across the country, in the first phase, the Government has initiated the scheme of setting up 100 schools across the country. The Ministry added that the scheme for New Sainik Schools is well thought out and 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.

The Ministry said that the political or ideological affiliation or otherwise of the applicant institution does not influence the selection process.