For a family that cannot afford private-school fees, a residential school that covers tuition, boarding, meals and books can change a child’s whole trajectory. That is the promise of the federal Daanish Schools cycle now open for the 2027 academic session — but only for the campuses and classes named in this cycle, and only if the form reaches the right office before the deadline.
First, do not mix up the two Daanish systems
This post is about the federal Daanish Schools, run by the Daanish Schools Authority under the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training. Punjab has its own Daanish Schools authority, with its own notices, campuses and timetable. A Punjab date, form or campus list does not apply to a federal campus, and a federal date does not apply to a Punjab campus. If a post or agent quotes you a Punjab campus for this cycle, stop and check which system it belongs to before you act on it.
Key dates for the federal cycle
| Step | Date |
|---|---|
| Forms issued | 19 October 2026 |
| Last date to submit the form | 12 November 2026, by 5:00 pm |
| Written entry test | Saturday, 12 December 2026 |
The 12 November deadline is confirmed on the official Daanish Schools homepage itself, which displays admissions open for 2026–27 with that closing date and time. Treat any later date quoted by a blog or agent as unverified unless the official site or the campus office confirms it.
Which classes and campuses are included
| Region | Classes open in this cycle | Campuses named in the cycle |
|---|---|---|
| Islamabad | Class 6 | Islamabad campus |
| Gilgit-Baltistan | Class 6 | Sultanabad, Gupis, Khaplu, Astore |
| Azad Jammu and Kashmir | Classes 6, 7 and 8 | Bagh, Bhimber |
Campus-wise availability can differ in detail, so confirm the class and campus on the admission notice for the campus you are applying to before submitting. The federal school keeps seats for every province and region, while Punjab separately keeps two seats per campus for other provinces — another reason not to carry a rule from one system into the other.
Who counts as a deserving student
Admission is for deserving students, and a child qualifies under any one of these reported conditions:
- Monthly household income under Rs. 40,000.
- Orphan (father deceased) without regular income or property.
- Parents illiterate, with no immovable property and no regular income.
- Dropout from school because of financial hardship, where the parents have no property or income.
- Parents uneducated or illiterate, living in a kutcha house, without property.
Age limits
Ages are calculated as of 31 March 2027:
| Class | Boys | Girls |
|---|---|---|
| Class 6 | 10–12 years | 10–13 years |
| Class 7 | 11–13 years | 11–14 years |
| Class 8 | 12–14 years | 12–15 years |
What is free, and what is not
For deserving students, the package covers tuition, boarding, meals, uniforms, textbooks, computer, science and robotics labs, Google labs, medical and psychological care, the library and sports. Around 10% of seats are reported as fee-paying; the figure quoted for 2026 is Rs. 20,500 a month. That fee figure comes from third-party reporting of the federal figure, not from the homepage checked for this post, so confirm the current fee-paying terms with the campus before budgeting for them.
How selection works
- Written entry test on 12 December 2026.
- Interview for shortlisted candidates.
- Physical and medical check.
- Verification of the family’s financial status.
Applying does not guarantee a seat, and no recommendation can substitute for the test, the interview and the verification stages.
Documents to prepare
- Completed admission form.
- Attested copy of the child’s B-Form.
- Attested copy of the father or guardian’s CNIC.
- School leaving certificate or result card.
- Income certificate or affidavit showing household income under Rs. 40,000, where that condition applies.
- Recent passport-size photographs of the child.
Where to get and submit the form
Forms are available from the official Daanish Schools website, from campus offices, and from District Education Officer and Deputy Commissioner offices. Submit the completed form, with attested documents, to the campus or office named in the notice well before 5:00 pm on 12 November 2026 — a form handed in late, or with unattested documents, is the easiest way to lose an otherwise strong application. If anyone asks for money to secure admission, treat it as a scam and read our guide to spotting fake government scheme websites and agents before paying anything.
Background only: Daanish University is a separate, future institution
Daanish University is not part of this school admission cycle and is not open for admission in 2026. As background only, third-party reporting in September 2026 described it as a future institution with 185 faculty applications received, a talent hunt for current FSc second-year and A-Level students for a free five-month Daanish University Virtual School (whose entry test in more than 40 cities was dated 24 October 2026, now passed), building completion expected next year, regular academic activities scheduled from 20 September 2027, and initial programmes in bioengineering, electrical engineering, artificial intelligence, computer science, technology and sociology. Do not treat any of that as an open university admission for 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is Daanish School admission really free?
Yes, for deserving students selected under the criteria above: tuition, boarding, meals, uniforms and textbooks are covered. A small reported share of seats is fee-paying, so check which category your application falls under.
Can a child from another province apply to a federal campus?
The federal school keeps seats for every province and region, but seat availability is campus-specific. Confirm the campus notice rather than assuming a seat exists at your nearest campus.
What should a child revise for the entry test?
The test is based on the previous class’s subjects, including English, Mathematics, General Science and Urdu, along with IQ-type questions in reports of the cycle. Revise the previous class syllabus thoroughly rather than buying a so-called leaked paper.
If your child qualifies on age and family circumstances, the practical advice is simple: get the form from the official site or a campus office now, get the B-Form and CNIC copies attested, and submit early. This site is run independently of the Daanish Schools Authority, so always cross-check the final notice with the campus before travelling for the test.
