National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) is a national-level competitive exam in India conducted by NCERT (National Council of Research and Training) to identify and nurture talented students with good intellect. This examination is open to all Class X students studying in any type of recognized school in India.
Students with meritorious performance in the NTSE Examination will be provided Scholarships to pursue courses in science and social science streams up to the doctoral level. In Professional courses like medicine and engineering, Scholarships will be awarded for up to 2 degree-level.
NTSE 2023 Overview
| Exam Name | National Talent Search Examination |
| Conducting Authority | NTSE Stage 1 is conducted by respective states/UTsNational level or NTSE stage II is conducted by NCERT |
| Exam Level | National Level |
| Class level | Class 10th |
| Total Scholarships | 2000 |
| Scholarship amount | Rs. 1250 per month for Class 11-12Rs. 2000 per month for UG and PG levelAs per UGC norms for research level |
| Scholarship level | Up to PhD level |
| Exam Mode | Offline examination |
| Exam Papers | Mental Aptitude Test (MAT) Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) |
| 120 minutes for each paper (MAT & SAT) at each level i.e. a total of 240 minutes. (same for both stages) | 120 minutes for each paper (MAT & SAT) at each level i.e. a total of 240 minutes. (same for both the stages) |
| Total Exam Centers | For NTSE Stage I exam – In all 28 states and 9 UTsFor NTSE Stage II – 35 exam cities |
| Registration dates | Registration begins in August every year and the last date of application is notified by the respective State/UT separately |
| Exam dates for NTSE 2023 stage 1 | November 4* for Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Andaman and Nicobar IslandsNovember 5* for All other states and UTs |
| Exam date for NTSE 2023 stage 2 | June, 2026 |
| Official Website | http://www.ncert.nic.in |
NTSE Important Dates 2023
The official examination dates for NTSE 2023 are yet to be released by the NCERT. They will be soon available on the official NCERT website. Tentative dates are given below
| State / Union Territory | Dates |
|---|---|
| NTSE exam date for all states & Union territories | November 2023 |
| NTSE exam date for Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Andaman, and Nicobar Islands (Stage 1) | November 2023 |
Selection Procedure
The Candidate Selection Procedure for the NTSE scheme is down to Two levels. The first Level is a State level test conducted by the respective Home state of the Student. The second level is a National Level Test (NTS) conducted by NCERT.
State-level Examination
Each state has the autonomy to conduct its own examination to select deserving candidates for NTSE Scheme. The purpose of the state-level examination is to select potential candidates for the scheme. Students who crack the state-level NTSE Examination will be permitted to attend the National-level NTSE Examination conducted by NCERT.
NTSE Eligibility
1. A class X student studying in any type of recognized school is eligible to apply for NTSE Scheme.
2. Home Schoolers or Distance learners of Class X are also eligible for this Scheme provided they are below the age of 18 years as of July 1st of the particular year.
3. Students must not be employed.
4. States may have other eligibility condition which is subject to respective states. So you may need to meet your state’s eligibility requirement to apply for this scheme.
| Examination Date | Paper | Test | Timings | No of questions | No of Marks | Time Duration | Qualifying marks | Selection Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | 09.30 am to 11.30 am (All candidates except visually Challenged Candidates) 09.30 am to 12.00 noon (Only 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 |
| As above | Paper II | Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) | 13.30 pm to 15.30 pm (All candidates except visually Challenged Candidates) 13.30 pm to 16.00 pm (Only visually Challenged Candidates) | 100 (Science40, Mathematics cs-20, Social Science40) | 100 | 120 minutes |
The Students qualifying in the State Level Examination will be chosen to sit for Nation Level Examination conducted by NCERT. State Level Examination is only conducted for the sake of selecting the right deserving candidates to sit for the NTSE (National Talent Search Examination) which is conducted every year at the national level.
The marks obtained in the state-level examination will not be recorded or utilized ever again. Only Marks obtained in the Final National Level Exam will be recorded and mentioned in the certificates.
The SC/ST and physically challenged candidates require a 32% score to qualify for the national level test. The General and Obc candidates require to achieve a 40% score to qualify.
The Results of State level examination will be released by States/UT in the months of January and February every year.
Nation Level NTSE Examination
Eligibility Requirement For Indian Nationals
The Class X Candidates qualifying for State level Examination Shall be permitted to appear for the National Level Examination conducted by NCERT.
Eligibility Requirement for NRI candidates.
- NRI Candidates studying Class 10 abroad shall be permitted to appear final Examination without appearing state-level Examination provided certain eligibility conditions are fulfilled.
2. The candidate should have obtained a minimum of 60% marks at the annual examination conducted in the previous year at his/her School/Institution. The Class IX mark sheet attested by the head of the institution/school should be sent to the Department of Educational Survey Division, NCERT, New Delhi-110016 latest by 31st December of the concerned year along with the letter requesting admission into the Final level NTSE Examination.
3. Examination will be conducted only in the centres in India.
4. Roll No, Date of the examination, and the Exam Venue Shall be announced by the council.
| Examination Date | Paper | Test | Timings | Number of questions | Marks | Time Duration | Qualifying marks | Selection Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Sunday of May every year (In all the States/UTs of the country) | Paper I | Mental Ability Test (MAT) | 09.30 am to 11.30 am (All candidates except visually Challenged Candidates) 09.30 am to 12.00 noon (Only visually Challenged Candidates) | 100 | 100 | 120 minutes | 32% marks SC, ST and PWD and 40% for Others (General &OBC) Category separately in both papers | • 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 |
| Paper – II | Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) | 13.30 pm to 15.30 pm (All candidates except visually Challenged Candidates) 13.30 pm to 16.00 pm (Only visually Challenged Candidates) | 100 | 100 (Science 40, Mathematics – 20, Social Science – 40) | 120 Minutes |
Both the MAT and SAT examinations will be conducted on the same day. Questions will be asked in a multiple-choice format with four options to choose from. Candidates have to fill in the answer in the omr sheet given to them.
In the Mental Ability test, there will be 100 multiple-choice questions. Each right answer carries 1 mark. There is no negative marking for the wrong answer.
In the Scholastic Aptitude Test, 100 Questions will be asked for a total of 100 marks. 40 questions from science subjects, 20 questions from Mathematics, and 40 questions from social science. Each right answer carries 1 mark and there are no negative markings.
NTSE Results
Selected candidates will be announced through the mail and the NCERT website. All candidates can see their marks individually on the NCERT website.