The government has given approval to set up three new Sainik schools in Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. The Defence minister AK Antony gave this information in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. At present, there are 24 Sainik schools in the country which admit boys in Classes sixth and ninth. The age of the boys should be ten to eleven years for class sixth and 13 to 14 years for class ninth as on 1st July of the year in which admission is sought. Admissions are made strictly on merit basis in an entrance examination held once a year.