By the Education Karnataka Editorial Team · Last updated: November 2026

Quick answer: North Karnataka’s main education centres are Belagavi, Dharwad–Hubballi and Vijayapura. They offer private residential schools, government residential schools under KREIS and well-known defence-oriented schools: Sainik School Vijayapura, Rashtriya Military School Belagavi and the Kittur Rani Channamma Residential Sainik School for Girls at Kittur.

Key takeaways

• North Karnataka has strong defence-oriented options, each with its own entrance process.
• Dharwad has long been known as an education town.
• Families can choose schools closer to home rather than travelling to Bengaluru or the coast.
• Airports at Belagavi and Hubballi improve connectivity.

Defence-oriented residential schools in the region

School	Location	How admission works
Sainik School Vijayapura	Vijayapura	AISSEE (conducted by NTA), Classes 6 and 9
Rashtriya Military School Belagavi	Belagavi	RMS Common Entrance Test, Classes 6 and 9
Kittur Rani Channamma Residential Sainik School for Girls	Kittur, Belagavi district	The school’s own admission process; check its notification

Eligibility, age limits and dates change from year to year, so always check the official notifications.

Some other schools listed in our directory for the region

Listed in no particular order. This is not a ranking:

• Siddaganga City Central English Medium High School, Vijayapura

Check current hostel availability, classes and fees directly with each school.

Government residential schools

KREIS runs Morarji Desai and Kittur Rani Chennamma residential schools across North Karnataka districts. Admission is mainly at Class 6, through the KREIS entrance test conducted by KEA.

Why choose a school in North Karnataka?

• Closer to home for families in Belagavi, Bagalkot, Vijayapura, Dharwad, Gadag and Haveri.
• Lower travel costs and easier visits.
• Strong defence-school tradition for students interested in the armed forces.
• Growing private options in Belagavi and Hubballi–Dharwad.

What to check

1. The entrance process and dates for defence and government schools.
2. Hostel supervision, especially for younger children.
3. Board and academic support, such as foundation programmes and supervised study.
4. Medical access and distance to a hospital.
5. Total annual cost for private schools.

Frequently asked questions

Can girls apply to Sainik Schools? Yes. Girls are eligible for Class 6 admission through AISSEE, and Class 9 admission is subject to vacancies. Check the current notification.

What is the age limit for Sainik School Class 6? For the 2026–27 cycle, the age limit was 10 to 12 years as on 31 March of the admission year. Always check the latest bulletin.

How do I apply to Rashtriya Military School Belagavi? Through the RMS Common Entrance Test for Classes 6 and 9. The application and dates are announced in the official notification.

Is Dharwad still a good education town? Dharwad has a long education tradition and many institutions. Evaluate each school on its own merits.

Are there residential PU colleges in North Karnataka? Yes, in several districts. Check hostel arrangements and supervision for each college.

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Need help shortlisting schools? Browse our directory of boarding schools in Karnataka and residential PU colleges in Karnataka, or message us on WhatsApp for guidance.

About Education Karnataka: a directory of residential schools and PU colleges across Karnataka, helping parents compare their options.