National Talent Search Examination

National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) is a national-level scholarship program as well as one of the oldest and most prestigious examinations in India conducted by the National Council of Educational Research and Training NCERT at the Secondary school level to identify and recognize students with high intellect and academic talent. Introduced in 1963 with the objective of acknowledging intelligent students and nurturing their talent, the National Talent Search Examination is touted as one of the toughest exams held across India at the high-school level. Merely going through the prescribed school books is not enough to prepare for the exam. The skill-based assessment is based on the syllabi of different central and state education boards, and primarily focuses on measuring how well the students have learned the concepts and skills underlying the school syllabus. The examination is conducted every year at two levels: Stage-I (State Level) and Stage-II (National Level). The total number of students appearing for class 10 exams of all state boards and central organisations put together is roughly 18.6 million (2018).

An estimated 9,00,000-10,00,000 students of Class X appear for this scholarship exam every year for the 1st stage from which about 5000 are selected for the Stage 2 examination. About 1000 students are finally selected for the scholarship of which 250 are from the reserved category. It is held every year and aims at screening the most gifted students from the general lot -- the students who have a special aptitude for Sciences, Mathematics, Social Sciences and, above all, questions based on analytical reasoning. The most important aspect of the exam is not the percentage a student scores but where he is placed in the descending order of merit list. This directly relates to one's cognitive skills and reasoning ability.[1]

This exam has undergone a lot of changes in recent years. Currently, from the year 2012-13, this exam is provided to Class X students only.

This exam is considered a headstart for important exams at undergraduate level like IIT-JEE, NEET etc. Though the score is not needed for the evaluation in these exams, but the score is used by many coaching institutes which provides very high scholarships or free education for the future.

An important decision was taken in the year 2008, when NTSE was opened only to the students of class VIII as against class X .In 2012, NTSE was reopened only for class X students, as against class VIII with the award of scholarships determined on the basis of the candidates’ scores in the MAT and SAT in the NTSE Second Level examination.

The scholarship at present is Rs 1250 for Higher/Senior Secondary level, Rs 2000 for Graduate and Post Graduate studies and as per UGC norms for Doctorate (Ph.D) level. The scholarship amount is distributed as a monthly stipend starting from Rs 1,250 for Class 11 and Class 12 students.

Structure

NTSE Stage 1 STATE LEVEL EXAMINATION

The states and Union territories have full independence to devise and administer the Stage 1 examination . Any student studying in Class 10 is eligible to appear for the examination. The candidates are selected on merit and recommended for the Stage 2 Examination held at national level. The examination is usually held on the first Sunday of November and the results are usually declared by February of the next year.

Mental Ability Test (MAT): It contains 100 questions on Mental Ability. Each correct answer awards +1 mark while there is no negative marking. The maximum marks is 100. The time given for this section is 120 min.

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT): It contains 40 questions on Social Sciences, 20 questions on Mathematics and 40 questions on Science. Each correct answer awards +1 mark while there is no negative marking. The maximum marks is 100. The time given for this section is 120 min.

NTSE Stage 2 NATIONAL LEVEL EXAMINATION

The Stage 2 examination is administered by NCERT at the national level. The candidates who have cleared Stage 1 are eligible to appear for the Stage 2 examination which is held on the second Sunday of May. The results are declared by the end of August and the names of the selected candidates are published in their website and are also informed by a letter sent to their registered address.

Mental Ability Test (MAT): It contains 100 questions on Mental Ability. Each correct answer awards +1 mark while there is no negative marking. The maximum marks is 100. The time given for this section is 120 min.

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT): It contains 40 questions on Social Sciences, 20 questions on Mathematics and 40 questions on Science. Each correct answer awards +1 mark while there is no negative marking. The maximum marks is 100. The time given for this section is 120 min. There is no specified syllabus for the examination but the questions are generally based on the concepts of course material of Class IX and Class X .

Eligibility

Participation

Students satisfying the following criteria can participate in NTSE:

  • Students of Class X studying in recognized schools
  • A student studying in class 10 in a recognized school of India
  • A student must secure more than 55% marks in class IX.

Reservation

Reservation: At the national level for Stage-II Examination 15% for Scheduled Castes, 7.5% for Scheduled Tribes and 27% for Other Backward Castes (Non-creamy layer) as per central list available on www.ncbe.nic.in/user panel/centralliststateview.aspx and 4% for Physically Challenged Students[2]

Scholarship

To be eligible for scholarship, a student qualifying NTSE Stage-2 has to satisfy the following criteria:

  • He/She should not be failing in the year of the exam, or in any of the subsequent classes until his/her Post-Graduate level.
  • He/She should not be leaving India in any of the year of the exam or the subsequent years until his/her Post-Graduate level, leading to discontinuation of the award.
  • He/She should not miss any exam in his/her subsequent years in any of his classes. In rare situations, this reason may be considered.
  • He/She should not take a leave for 3 months or more, during this academic year, in any of his/her classes. In rare situations, this reason may too be considered.

The students who will qualify second stage (stage-2) are eligible for the scholarship. The amount of scholarship has been enhanced to Rs.1250 per month for class XI and XII and Rs.2000 per month for students studying under graduate and above. The scholarship is provided immediately after the result. In case students have not received the letter from NCERT after 5 weeks of the declaration of the result, they should contact NCERT for updates. The scholarship is expected to increase up to 4000-5000 in next few years.It was increased to Rs.1250 and Rs.2000 as per the orders in July 2014. The scholarship is independent of the institution or the stream he/she chooses in the future. There are no restrictions like parental income, government school, domicile etc. except for the reasons provided in the eligibility criteria. In case the student moves abroad for studies, the scholarship will no longer be provided.

Syllabus

The syllabus of NTSE is different in both the exams.

NTSE Stage 1

The syllabus of the stage 1 examination is taken greatly from the state board books, especially Social Sciences. Concepts related to Science and Mathematics may come from state board books, as well as NCERT books, and may also include topics outside the syllabus.

NTSE Stage 2

The syllabus of the stage 2 examination is mostly from the NCERT textbooks. However, topics of higher grades are frequently seen in the papers .The 2nd stage examination is much more difficult than the 1st stage as the questions of both SAT and MAT are difficult and the time is limited.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Study Package for NTSE Class X. McGraw Hill Education. p. vii. ISBN 978-93-85965-28-9.
  2. ↑ http://www.ncert.nic.in/pdf/talent_exam19.pdf
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