About NTSE

The National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) is a national level scholarship program in India started in the year 1963. The purpose of the scheme was to identify talented students and nurture their talents. ‘Talent’ refers to the potentiality that manifests itself at a high level of performance in one or more specialized areas. Therefore, it covers areas like Science, Social Science, Engineering, Medicine, Management and law. It is organized by - National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and it honors and helps talented students by providing financial assistance in the form of a monthly scholarship. For the courses in Basic Sciences, Social Sciences and Commerce, this assistance is provided up to Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) level whereas for professional courses like Engineering, Medicine, Management and law this assistance is given only up to Post Graduation. The scheme is open to students of Indian nationality. It not only helps students to proliferate their mental level but also helps them to sharpen their minds.
NCERT conducts the NTSE for students studying in Class X. The exam is conducted at 2 levels: Stage-I (State Level) & Stage-II (National Level).

• The NTSE consists of Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
• Quota for State/UT will be computed proportionally on the basis of student’s enrollment in Class IX and X
• The scholarships under the present scheme are awarded to the candidates for pursuing courses in science and social sciences up to doctoral level and in professional courses like medicine and engineering up to second degree level subject to the fulfillment of the condition

Important Dates for NTSE :

Scholarship :

On the basis of NTSE Stage-II results, scholarships are awarded to top 1000 students all over India.
Awardees of National Talent Search Examination will receive a scholarship of

• 1250/- per month for class XI & XII
• 2000/- per month for under-graduates & post-graduates
• Amount of Scholarship for Ph.D. in accordance with the University Grants Commission (UGC) norms

Reservation :

• 15% for students belonging to the SC category
• 7.5% for students belonging to the ST category
• 3% for Physically Challenged Group of Students

Eligibility :

Students of Class X studying in recognized schools are eligible to appear for the Stage-I examination, conducted by the States/Union Territories (UTs), in which the schools are located. There is no domicile restriction. For further details please visit: www.ncert.nic.in

Selection Procedure :

The selection process of NTSE comprises of two-stages. The first stage selection will be done by individual State/UT through a written exam while, the second stage selection is at the national level and carried out by the NCERT for those who qualified in the Stage-I

Qualifying Marks :

Qualifying marks for General Category Candidates is 40% in each paper and for Schedule Caste (SC), Schedule Tribe (ST), Physically Handicapped (PH) candidates is 32% in each paper.

Syllabus :

There is no prescribed syllabus for NTSE. However, the standard of questions shall conform to the level of Classes IX and X.

State Quota :

Each State/Union Territory has been allotted a quota to recommend a specific number of candidates for the Stage II examination. However, there will be no State/Union Territory Quota for the final award of scholarship after the Stage II examination.

Examination Fee :

States and UTs may notify the fee required to be paid for the Stage-I exam. Therefore, before submitting the application form, you should find out the fee charged for Stage-I exam and also the mode of payment from the respective State Liaison Officers (LOs). However, NCERT does not charge any fee for the Stage-II exam.

Announcement of Results :

Result of the Stage-I Examination (State Level) is announced by the respective State Governments / Union Territories in the last week of January or 1st week of February. Result of the Stage-II Examination (National Level) is announced by NCERT in the month of July every year

Indian Students Studying Abroad in Class-X :

Candidates may fill up the relevant fields of the Application Forms under conditions prescribed in the NTS brochure and send it to NCERT along with mark-sheet of previous exam latest by Last week of December for consideration.

How to Obtain Application Form?

Student may contact the State/UT Liaison officer for procuring application form. However application forms can be downloaded from NCERT website www.ncert.nic.in

Where to Submit Application Form?

The complete application forms duly signed by the Principal of the respective school should be submitted to the State Liaison Officers (LOs) before the last date mandatorily. Different states may have different last dates for submission. Please confirm from the liaison officer of your state, the address at which the completed forms are to be submitted. No application should be sent to NCERT

Pattern of NTSE :

The written examination for NTSE is consists of two stages viz., Stage-I & Stage-II.

• Stage -I examination takes place at the State/UT level
• Stage -II examination at the National level

Scheme of Exam for Stage-I : The State/UT level examination has three parts for nominating the required number of candidates for the second level test to be conducted by the NCERT.
Scheme of Exam for Stage-II : Candidates acquiring more than the required percentage in the state level examination and standing within a specified number of top ranks (state quota) are eligible to appear for the Stage-II, the national level examination.
Stage-I & II consists of two papers each i.e. (i) Mental Ability Test (MAT) and (ii) Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). The examination will be conducted in three sessions on the same day.

Note :

• The questions in MAT and SAT are multiple choice based questions
• Candidates are required to answer all the questions in separate Answer sheets.
• Each question has four alternatives.
• The candidate has to select one correct answer from the given alternatives and mark its number in the answer-sheet as per the instructions
• Each correct answer carries one mark.
• There is no negative marking in Stage-I (State/UT Level)
• There will be negative marking in each paper at Stage-II (National Level)
• For each wrong answer 1/3 marks will be deducted.
• No marks will be deducted for questions not attempted.