National Talent Search Scheme
NTSE Establishment
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) was established by the Government of India in the year 1961 with a view to bringing about qualitative improvement in school education in the country. No sooner the Council was set up than it mounted a number of programmes in this direction. One such programme was to identify and nurture the talented students. This programme took up the shape of a scheme called National Science Talent Search Scheme (NSTSS) in the year 1963 which provided for the identification of talented students and awarding them with scholarships. During the first year of the implementation of the scheme, it was confined to the Union Territory of Delhi wherein only 10 scholarships were awarded to the Class XI students.
Scholarship-NTSE
The scholarship under the present scheme awarded to the candidates for pursuing courses in science and social science up to doctoral level and in professional courses like medicine and engineering up to second-degree level subject to the fulfillment of the conditions provided in this brochure. As on date 2000 scholarships are awarded in the country with reservation of 15 percent for SC, 7.5 percent for ST and 27 percent for other backward classes and 4 percent for group of students with benchmark disabilities.
SELECTION PROCEDURE for NTSE
Identification of talent comprises two-stage selection process. While the individual State/UT conducts the first stage selection, the second stage selection at the national level is carried out by the NCERT.
Key Points
1st Stage:- State/UT
2nd Stage:-National Level conducted by the NCERT
STATE LEVEL EXAMINATION
Each State/UT conducts its own examination. They have the autonomy to lay down their own norms for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the candidates. This examination is primarily used to recommend a given number of candidates for the second level test to be conducted by the NCERT. This number is based on the enrolment of students at Classes IX and X in different States/UTs. The candidates are to be recommended on the basis of the merit in the written examination conducted by the States/UTs. The details of the number of candidates for different States/UTs as applicable are notified separately. The state level screening examination is conducted in all State/UT’s on first Sunday of November except in Nagaland, Andaman and Nicobar Island, Meghalaya and Mizoram where it will be conducted on first Saturday of November every year until and unless some special circumstances occur. The addresses of the Liaison Officers of each State/UT are given on NCERT website that information about state level examination may be sought.
Eligibility for NTSE
All students studying in Class X in any type of recognized school including Kendriya Vidyalaya, Navodaya Vidyalaya, and Sainik School etc. will be eligible to appear at the State Level Examination from the State in which the school is located. However, no domicile restriction shall be imposed. The state may impose any other eligibility condition for appearing in the screening examination like any qualifying percentage of marks in the previous annual examination etc. Students registered under Open and Distance Learning (ODL) are also eligible for scholarship provided the students are below the age of 18 years (as on 1st July of that particular year) the students is not employed and they are appearing in class X for the first time
How to apply
NTSE-Only for class 10th Students-
The students studying in Class X in the country ought to be on the lookout for any advertisement in the newspapers or circulars in the school by the respective Government of their State/UT for the above said examination and act as per the requirement given in the State advertisement/circular. Any other information/query about the details of the state level examination may be had from Liaison Officers of the State/UT agencies, the addresses of which are given in the Appendix. The filled in application by the student be submitted to the State Liaison Officer duly signed by the Principal of the school before the due date as advertised/circulated by each concerned State/UT.
Medium of Examination
The medium of the test shall be as announced by the State/UT.
Fee
State may impose any fee for examination and/or for application form.
Examination
State level examination may have two parts: Part-I Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Part-II Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) for nominating the required number of candidates for the second level test to be conducted by the NCERT
Key Points- Examination in Two Parts
- Part-I Mental Ability Test (MAT)
- Part-II Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
The scheme of testing is given below—
Examination Date- Paper Test Timings -Number of Questions -Number of Marks -Time -Duration -Qualifying -Selection -Criteria
1st Sunday of November-NTSE State Level Exam
1st Sunday of November (In all the States/UTs of the country except Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Andaman & Nicobar exam where will be held on 1st Saturday November month every year)
Paper-I Mental Ability Test (MAT)
Paper-I Mental Ability Test (MAT) 09.30 am to 11.30 am (All candidates except visually Challenged Candidates) 100 100 120 Minutes 32% SC, ST and PWD and 40% for Others (General& OBC) • 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 • There will be No Negative Marking 09.30 am to 12.00 noon (Only visually Challenged Candidates)
Paper-II Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
Paper-II Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) 13.30 pm to 15.30 pm (All candidates except visually Challenged Candidates) 100 (Science40, Mathemati cs-20, Social Science40) 100 120 Minutes 13.30 pm to 16.00 pm (Only visually Challenged Candidates) * If there is any change in patern 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.
Results of NTSE
The State/Union Territory will prepare a merit list of the candidates ensuring the minimum qualifying marks in both the tests separately. These marks are 40 per cent in the case of General and OBC category candidates and 32 per cent in the case of SC/ST/physically challenged candidates. The result of State Level Talent Search examination is declared in months of January/ February by the States/UTs themselves. This examination is used only to recommend the candidates for second level NTS examination conducted by the NCERT. The marks of the State level Examination are not added to the National Level Examination for award of scholarship. No correspondence will be entertained by the NCERT with regard to first level examination conducted by the State/UT. The candidate having any query/complaint/clarification with regard to the State Level Examination shall have to correspond only with the state examination agencies.
Always visit NCERT website for authentic update
NTS-NATIONAL LEVEL EXAMINATION–STAGE 2
There is no fee of any kind for appearing in the National Level Examination.
Eligibility
The National Talent Search Examination is open for students of Indian nationality whether they study in India or abroad at Class X level.
Candidates Studying in India
Only the candidates selected by the States/UTs on the basis of their screening examination shall be eligible to appear in the National level examination to be conducted by the NCERT on the Second Sunday of May each year (unless otherwise notified). The NCERT will convey the roll number, the venue, the date and time for the national level examination to all such candidates directly through its portal www.ncert@nic.in.
Candidates Studying Abroad
Students of Indian nationality studying abroad at the Class X level may also compete for Talent Search Award under the following conditions:
- The Indian students studying abroad in Class X or equivalent class shall be exempted from the first level-screening test and shall be permitted to appear directly at the second level examination conducted by the NCERT.
- A candidate shall be eligible to appear in the second level NTS examination only if he or she has obtained at least 60 per cent marks (in aggregate) at the previous annual examination.
- A candidate will have to appear in the NTS examination at a centre in India at her/his own cost.
- A candidate desiring to appear in the NTS examination may request through the Head of the Institution where he or she is studying along with an attested copy (by the Head of the Institution) of the mark sheet of Class IX. The request should reach the Head, Department of Educational Survey Division, NCERT, New Delhi-110016 latest by 31st December of the concerned year.
- The Council shall allot roll numbers to the eligible candidates and inform them about the date, time and the venue of examination along with other relevant instructions.
- No request for change of Centre shall be entertained.
- If a candidate is selected, the scholarship shall be paid for pursuing studies in India only.
- Change of center will be permitted in genuine cases and as per instructions issued from NCERT.
Syllabus of NTS National Level
There is no prescribed syllabus for the NTS examination. However, the standard of items shall be conforming to the level of Classes IX and X. A separate booklet called ‘Learn about the Test’ containing sample items for both the Tests- MAT and SAT is available in print as well as on the NCERT website www.ncert.nic.in.
Scheme of Testing
The scheme of testing is given below—
Selection Criteria
Examination Date for NTS National Level
2nd Sunday of May every year (In all the States/UTs of the country)
Paper-I Mental Ability Test (MAT)
Paper-I Mental Ability Test (MAT) 09.30 am to 12.00 noon (Only visually Challenged Candidates) (All candidates except visually Challenged Candidates) 100 100 120 Minutes 32% marks SC, ST and PWD and 40% for Others (General & OBC) Category separately in both papers
Paper-II Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
Paper-II Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) 13.30 pm to 15.30 pm (All candidates except visually Challenged Candidates) 100
(Science-40, Mathematics-20, Social Science-40) 100 120 Minutes 13.30 pm to 16.00 pm (Only visually Challenged Candidates)
• 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
*If there is any change in patern 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
Written Examination
The written examination shall consist of two paper; Paper-I Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Paper-II Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Both the tests will be administered on the same day
Mental Ability Test
There shall be 100 multiple-choice type items, with four alternatives. Each item will carry one mark. Candidates are required to answer the items on a separate OMR sheet as per instructions given in the test booklet and on the OMR sheet.
Scholastic Aptitude Test
The scholastic Aptitude Test will consist of 100 multiple-choice items of one mark each. Each item shall have four alternatives, out of which only one will be the correct answer. There shall be 40 items from Science, 40 from Social Science and 20 from Mathematics, Candidates are required to answer the items on a separate OMR sheet to be provided at the examination centre as per instructions.
Important Note: Students are allowed to take away question booklets of both the tests (Mental Ability Test and Scholastic Aptitude Test) after the examination.
Medium of Examination
The tests will be available in the following languages: Asamiya, Bangla, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Malayalam, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. The candidate has to mention his option regarding the language in which he/she want to take the test in the application form. Accordingly, the question booklet in that language shall be made available to the candidate at the centre. After exercising this option, no request for the change of medium will be entertained.
Marking Scheme
Each item in both the tests shall carry one mark each. A candidate shall get one mark for correct response. There will be no negative marking in either of the tests. Nevertheless, candidates are advised not to resort to blind guessing, which may not be of any help to them.
Declaration of Result
The final award shall be declared on the basis of combined scores of MAT and SAT. Only the selected candidates shall be informed by registered letter and through NCERT website www.ncert.nic.in. Marks obtained by the candidates in written examination will be revealed to all the candidates individually through NCERT website.
Rechecking
Since the NCERT applies rigorous checks and counterchecks before the declaration of result, no request for re-evaluation or rechecking of scripts will be entertained. Candidates will be provided facility to have access to their scanned OMR sheets which will be placed on NCERT website along with final scoring key so that they can calculate their own score.
Rates of Scholarship
The rates of scholarship at different stages are given as under:
Sl.No. Stage Rate of Scholarship
1. Higher Secondary level Rs. 1250/- p.m.
2. Graduate and Post Graduate Rs. 2000/- p.m.
3. For Ph.D. degree (four years) As per UGC norms
QUOTA ALLOTTED FOR STATES/UTs (2018- 2019 & 2019-2020)
S.No. States/UTs Quota*
1. Andaman & Nicobar Islands -20
2. Andhra Pradesh -263
3. Arunachal Pradesh- 50
4. Assam -202
5. Bihar- 691
6. Chandigarh -20
7. Chattisgarh -195
8. Dadra & Nagar Haveli- 20
9. Daman & Diu -20
10. Delhi -153
11. Goa -50
12. Gujarat- 360
13. Haryana -186
14. Himachal Pradesh -51
15. Jammu & Kashmir -64
16. Jharkhand -142
17. Karnataka- 371
18. Kerala -220
19. Lakshdweep -20
20. Madhya Pradesh -530
21. Maharashtra -774
22. Manipur -50
23. Meghalaya -50
24. Mizoram- 50
25. Nagaland -50
26. Odisha -259
27. Puducherry -20
28. Punjab -183
29. Rajasthan -485
30. Sikkim -50
31. Tamil Nadu -466
32. Telangana- 216
33. Tripura -50
34. Uttar Pradesh- 1408
35. Uttarakhand -79
36. West Bengal -569
TOTAL 8387
* Quota is revised after every three years
Reference and Resource
Above information regarding NTS has been taken from National Talent Search Scheme Information Brochure (2019). Kindly visit https://ncert.nic.in/national-talent-examination.php for more updated and authentic information