NTSE National Talent Search Examination
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 talent. ‘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 honours 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-1 (State Level) & Stage-ll (National Level).
• The NTSE consists of Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).
• The 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 sciences and social sciences up to doctoral level and in professional courses like medicine and engineering up to second degree level subject to the fulfilment of the conditions.
Important Dates for NTSE
| STAGE | AREA | DATES |
|---|---|---|
| Stage I (State Level) | Examination in all states & Union Territories | 1st week of November |
| Stage II (National Level) | Examination in all states & Union Territories | 2nd week of May |
Paper-2 also consists of 10 sets of questions and the marking scheme followed is as follows:
| Sr. No. | Question Type | Marks Awarded | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Single correct answer | 3 | -1 |
| 2. | 1 or more correct answer | 4 | -2 |
| 3. | Single Digit Integer | 3 | 0 |
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 months for undergraduates & postgraduates • 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 • 4% 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 NCERT website.
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 Stage II selection is at the national level and carried out by the NCERT for those who have qualified in the Stage-I.
Qualifying Marks:
Qualifying marks for General Category candidates are 40% in each paper and for Schedule Caste (SC), Schedule Tribe (ST) and Physically Handicapped (PH) candidates are 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 The 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-I exam.
The Announcement of Results:
The result of the Stage-I examination (State Level) is announced by the respective State Governments / Union Territories in the last week of January or the 1st week of February. The 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.
How to Obtain The Application Form?
A Student may contact the State/UT Liaison Officer for procurring the application form. However, Application forms can be downloaded from NCERT Website.
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.
Contact Details:
Head - Educational Survey Division National Council of Educational Research & Training, Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi -110016 For NTS National Level Examination Inquiry: 011-26560464, E-mail: ntsexam.ncert@gov.in
For NTS State Level Examination Inquiry: Contact the Liaison Officer of your State
For NTS Scholarship Inquiry: 011-26562704, E-mail: scholarship.nts@gov.in
For Nurture Programme for NTS Awardees, E-mail: nurturance.nts@gov.in Website: www.ncert.nic.in
SCHEME OF TESTING
Paper-I Mental Ability Test (MAT)
| Examination Date | 2nd Sunday of May every year (In all the States/UTs of the country) |
|---|---|
| Timing | 09:30 AM to 11:30 AM (All candidates except visually challenged candidates) 09:30 AM to 12:00 PM (only visually challenged candidates) |
| Qualifying | 32% Marks SC, ST and PWS and 40% for other(General & OBC) Category separately in both papers |
| Selection Criteria | There will be no Negative Marking Only candidates qualifying in both the papers separately will be considered for merit Selection of the awardees will be made on the basis of total Marks scored in MAT & SAT based on merit |
| No. of Questions | 100 |
| Maximum Marks | 100 |
| Time Duration | 120 Minutes |
Paper-II Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
| Examination Date | 2nd Sunday of May every year (In all the States/UTs of the country) |
|---|---|
| Timing | 01:30 PM to 3:30 PM (All candidates except visually challenged candidates) 01:30 PM to 4:00 PM (only visually challenged candidates) |
| Qualifying | 32% Marks SC, ST and PWS and 40% for other(General & OBC) Category separately in both papers |
| Selection Criteria | There will be no Negative Marking Only candidates qualifying in both the papers separately will be considered for merit Selection of the awardees will be made on the basis of total Marks scored in MAT & SAT based on merit |
| No. of Questions | 100 |
| Maximum Marks | 100 |
| Time Duration | 120 Minutes |
*If there is any change in pattern for Stage-II examination then the same will be communicated later on through NCERT website www.ncert.nic.in. Candidates are advised to keep track of updates on NCERT website.
Mental Ability Test (MAT)
There shall be 100 multiple-choicetype questions with four option each questions will carry one mark. Candidates are required to answer the question on a separate OMR sheet as per instructions are given in the test booklet and on the OMR sheet.
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
The Scholastic Aptitude Test will consist of 100 multiple-choice questions, of one mark each. Each question, shall have four
option, out of which only one will be the correct answer. There shall be 40 question from science, 40 from social science and 20
from mathematics. Candidates are required to answer the questions on a separate omr sheet to be provided at the examination centre as per instructions.
