Sainik School Medical Standards and Disability Rights

Source: Madras High Court 

Why in News? 

The bench of Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan in the case of M.R.Yajith Krishna (Minor) v. Union of India and Ors. (2025) dismissed a writ petition challenging the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for All India Sainik School Admission Counselling (AISSAC), particularly the eye standards prescribed for admission to 6th standard at Sainik Schools. 

What was the Background of M.R.Yajith Krishna (Minor) v. Union of India and Ors. (2025) Case? 

• The petitioner, a 12-year-old student represented by his natural guardian and mother, applied for admission to 6th Standard at Sainik School, Amaravathi Nagar, Udumalpet, Tiruppur District. 
• The petitioner secured 227 marks out of 300 marks in the entrance examination, well within the cut-off marks under the Scheduled Caste category. 
• Despite his academic performance, the petitioner was directed to appear for medical examination at Medical College Hospital, Coimbatore, for verification of medical fitness as per communication dated 27.06.2025. 
• The medical examination declared the petitioner medically unfit for Eye Standard-II due to vision defect of 6/36. 
• The petitioner applied for a review and was directed to report to Military Hospital, Chennai, for further examination, but the initial medical report was confirmed. 
• The petitioner challenged the rejection as discriminatory under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, arguing violation of Sections 3, 4, and 16 of the Act. 
• The petitioner contended that his rejection was solely on medical grounds and not academic ineligibility, violating Article 21 of the Constitution. 

What were the Court's Observations? 

• The Court noted that all Sainik Schools function under the administrative control of the Sainik Schools Society and the Ministry of Defence, New Delhi, and are residential institutions starting from Class VI. 
• The primary aim of Sainik Schools is to act as feeder institutes for the National Defence Academy and the Indian Naval Academy, requiring stringent medical standards. 
• The Court emphasized that Sainik Schools are designed to groom students for future roles as military officers, focusing on their mental and physical readiness. 
• Medical examination is non-negotiable before admission to Sainik Schools and is mandated by the Sainik Schools Society functioning under the Ministry of Defence. 
• The Court ruled that provisions under Section 12(c) of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, and Sections 3, 4, and 16 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, are not applicable to such specialized military preparatory schools. 
• The Court found that the petitioner cannot challenge the Standard Operating Procedure after having accepted it initially and appearing for the entrance examination. 
• The Court dismissed the petition, stating it found "no infirmity or illegality in the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for All India Sainik School Admission Counselling (AISSAC) 2025." 

What are Sainik Schools? 

About: 

• Sainik Schools are residential educational institutions in India that prepare students for careers in the armed forces. 
• These schools function under the administrative control of the Sainik Schools Society and the Ministry of Defence, New Delhi. 
• They commence from Class VI and serve as feeder institutes for the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the Indian Naval Academy (INA). 
• The primary objective is to groom students for future roles as military officers with focus on mental and physical readiness. 

Medical Standards for Sainik School Admission: 

The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for All India Sainik School Admission Counselling (AISSAC) prescribes specific eye standards: 

• Standard-I: 6/6 & 6/6 (perfect vision in both eyes) 
• Standard-II: Uncorrected VA 6/18 & 6/18; BCVA 6/6 & 6/6 
• Myopia limitations: <-1.25 D Sph, including max astigmatism < +/-0.5 D Cyl 
• Hypermetropia limitations: < + 1.25 D Sch, including max astigmatism < +/-0.5 D Cyl 
• LASIK and equivalent procedures not permitted 
• Colour vision requirements: CP II 
• Additional requirements include absence of squint, morbid eye conditions, and active trachoma 

Admission Process: 

• Selection and admission are subject to fulfilling multiple criteria: admission criteria, eligibility, rank, merit list, medical fitness, and verification of original documents. 
• Students undergo entrance examinations followed by medical examinations for shortlisted candidates. 
• Medical fitness is assessed at designated medical institutions, with provision for review at Military Hospitals. 
• In case of unfit medical reports, the Principal is mandated to reject the candidature through the e-counselling portal.