Sainik School Nalanda is a residential school situated in Pawapuri, Rajgir, Nalanda district of Bihar, pin 803116. The institution was set up on 12 October 2003 by the Ministry of Defence under the Sainik Schools Society. It occupies a 52‑acre permanent campus that was moved to its present location in 2016 and serves the children of defence personnel as well as civilian families who wish to prepare their children for a career in the armed forces.
The school follows the Central Board of Secondary Education syllabus and is a member of the Indian Public Schools’ Conference. Instruction is delivered by a combination of civilian teachers with relevant academic qualifications and defence‑service officers who supervise physical and leadership training. Since the 2021‑22 session the school has admitted girl cadets alongside boys, maintaining the motto “Vidya, Mritasya Va Chetana” while aiming to develop cadets for entry into the National Defence Academy, Indian Naval Academy and other officer cadres, as well as for responsible civilian roles.
Admission is limited to Class VI and Class IX and is conducted through the All India Sainik School Entrance Examination organised by the National Testing Agency. Cadets live in separate residential houses—Ajashidu, Ashoka, Mahavira, Siddharth and Bimbisara—and have access to science and computer laboratories, a library, a sports complex and an obstacle course used for SSB training. Parents can expect a structured environment with a focus on academic studies, physical fitness, discipline and leadership development, while the school’s affiliation with CBSE ensures that standard board examinations are administered in line with national norms.
