National Talent Search Exam (NTSE)

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is an autonomous organisation set up in 1961 by the Government of India to assist and advise the Central and State Governments on policies and programmes for qualitative improvement in school education.

National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) is a scholarship exam conducted by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) for identifying talented students who want to pursue higher education in the Science and Social Studies streams. The exam is conducted for students studying in class 10th. NTSE is conducted in two stages. The stage-1 exam is conducted at the state level by all states and UTs, while NTSE stage-2 is conducted by NCERT at the national level only for those students who qualify the stage-1 exam. The students qualifying in NTSE stage-1 are eligible to appear for the stage-2 exam. The aim of the NTSE scheme is to award a scholarship to talented students, who wish to pursue higher education in Science and Social Studies stream, to help them continue their education.

The students of Indian origin who are studying class 10th from any foreign board or school will be getting a scholarship only if he/she studies further in India. The following table shows the reservation ratio percentage scheme in NTSE exam:

Category details Percentage reservation
SC (Schedule Cast) - 15%
ST (Scheduled Tribe) 7.5%
Physically Challenged 3%

1. The students should be Indian Nationals and registered with theState/UT exam conducting body to appear for this exam.
2. The students who are in class X can also apply for the exam.

Students appearing for the NTSE can apply from their respective state/UT in the offline/online mode. Students who wish to give the examination need to download the form online and submit it to the School Principal for certification before the last date along with the application fee (if applicable).

NOTE: The offline NTSE Application Form can be obtained from the school or if no information is provided by the school, students can directly contact the the listed Liaison Officers for the states/UTs only.

The NTSE is conducted in two stages i.e. Stage I and Stage II. The NTSE paper is available in both Hindi and English medium. The students get a choice to select any one language. The paper is divided into two sections i.e. Mental Ability Test (MAT), and Scholastic Ability Test (SAT).

• The paper is comprised of Objective type multiple choice questions.
• The examination is conducted through the offline mode only.
• For every correct answer, 1 mark will be given and there is no negative marking at stage 1 and stage 2.

NTSE scholarship will be awarded on the basis of the aggregate performance of students in both the stages of the examination.

NTSE scholars are granted a scholarship of Rs. 1250/- per month for Class XI and XII and Rs. 2000/- per month for graduation and higher studies by Indian government.

• The NTSE stage I result declares the students who qualify the paper of both MAT and SAT. The candidates can check the result of NTSE stage 1 exam in the online mode on the official website of the SCERT/DGE of the respective state/UT. The NTSE stage I exam result is released in the form of a merit list, which mentions names, marks, ranks of all qualified candidates for the respective state/UT.

• All those candidates who qualify the stage 1 exam of NTSE, at the state level are eligible to appear for National Level NTSE which is conducted by NCERT. The exam pattern, exam details, and subjects are the same as that of NTSE stage 1

The notification for application form availability of NTSE state level examination is also made available in the local/national newspapers or circulars circulated in the schools by the respective state/UT. Download the NTSE registration form from the Official Website www.ncert.nic.in or collect it from the liaison officer of the state.

Payment of application fee – Candidates will be required to remit the NTSE application fee (if specified by the state/UT).

NTSE stage 1 Result is announced by all states and UTs. The candidates are intimated about NTSE results by respective state/UT as and when announced. The NTSE results for Stage 1 mentions the qualifying status of candidates in both the papers i.e. MAT and SAT. The result of NTSE stage 1 is available on the official website of the exam conducting authority of respective state/UT.

The final result of NTSE is declared by NCERT in the form of category-wise merit lists. Stage 2 cutoff marks are also released along with NTSE Stage 2 result.

For NTS National Level Examination Inquiry:
Phone No : 011-26560464 (Timings 02:30 PM to 04:30 PM only)
E-mail : ntsexam.ncert@gov.in

For State Level NTS Examination Enquiry: Contact the Liaison Officer of your State.

For NTS Scholarship disbursement Inquiry:
Phone No : 011-26562704, 011-26567401, 011-26567402 (Timings 02:30 PM to 04:30 PM only)
E-mail : scholarship.nts@gov.in

For Nurturance programme for NTS Awardees:
E-mail : nurturance.nts@gov.in
Official Website : http://www.ncert.nic.in