National Talent Search Examination

National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) is a national-level scholarship program in India to identify and recognize students with high intellect and academic talent. It is one of the most prestigious exams in India. Close to 500,000 students (a largely self selective group of students) appear in this scholarship exam every year, and 1000 scholarships are awarded, of which 775 are not reserved .The former Union Minister of Human Resource Development Smt. Smriti Irani announced that the number of scholarships under National Talent Search Scheme will be doubled to 2000 from existing 1000 while speaking on the occasion of 55th Foundation Day celebration of the NCERT in New Delhi on 1 September 2015. However there is nothing such according to NCERT officials. So the seats have not been doubled. The scheme is open to students of Indian nationality. Students studying in Class X are eligible to appear for the selection process. As it is organized by an official body (NCERT), it is widely regarded by the Government of India as the most prestigious and the most difficult examination at secondary level in the country.

The states and the union territories have been entrusted with the responsibility of conducting the first tier screening examination known as State Level Talent Search Examination. Each state and union territory selects and recommends a stipulated number (state quota) of candidates for the national level examination to be conducted for about 5000 candidates by the NCERT.

The states got complete autonomy to design and conduct their written examinations. However, they were advised to follow the national pattern which comprised MAT and SAT. The MAT, which consisted of 100 multiple choice type questions, was to be attempted by all the candidates. The SAT consisted of 25 multiple choice type questions each on eight subject areas namely Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography, Civics and Economics. The candidates could choose any four out of these eight subjects and had to answer a total of 100 questions in the SAT.

A stipulated number of candidates who qualified at the national level examination were called for face-to-face interviews. The award of scholarships was finally determined on the basis of the candidates’ scores obtained in all three components namely the MAT, the SAT and the Interview.

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