National Talent Search Examination
The National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) is one of India's most prestigious scholarship exams, organised by the National Council of Educational Research and Training. Its aim is to identify and reward talented 10th-grade students nationwide and support their further education.
Scholarships are awarded through a challenging two-stage examination process comprising Stages I and II. Only those who pass Stage I are eligible for Stage II. However, Indian students studying abroad are exempt from Stage I and can directly participate in the Stage II exam.
Students wishing to take the exam must meet specific eligibility criteria set by NCERT. This article will provide comprehensive information about the exam dates, eligibility criteria, syllabus, and application process to help you seamlessly apply for the exam.
1.0Important Dates for the NTSE 2026 Examination
The NTSE 2026 Exam is typically conducted in two stages. The first stage is usually held in November 2026, while the second stage takes place in June of the following year. If there are any changes to the exam pattern for the Stage II examination, the updated information will be communicated later. The table below lists the anticipated dates for the NTSE Stages 1 and 2.
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Highlights of the 2026 NTSE
To appear for the exam, you must know about the key details of the exam, so here we are providing the highlights of the NTSE 2026 Exam.
2.0Syllabus for the 2026-27 NTSE
Students need to know the important topics and understand the exam format to do well. The NTSE exam has two parts:
- The Mental Ability Test (MAT) Tests your Reasoning Abilities
- the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) covers math, science, and social science.
- The syllabus for both Phase I and Phase II of the exam is based on the class 10 syllabus from NCERT.
While the exam does not have an officially prescribed syllabus, the questions are tailored to align with the educational standards of 9th and 10th grades. A resource booklet titled 'Learn about the Test' is available to assist candidates, offering sample questions for the exam's sections. This booklet can be accessed in print or through the official website. Here is a brief overview of the syllabus.
3.0Eligibility Requirements for the NTSE
According to the CBSE guidelines, the NTSE is accessible to all students of Indian nationality at the class X level, regardless of whether they are pursuing their studies in India or overseas.
General Eligibility: The National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) welcomes participation from Indian nationals, regardless of whether they study within India or overseas at the Class X level.
For Students in India:
Eligibility is determined through a screening test.
Successful candidates in the screening test qualify for the NTSE.
For Indian Students Abroad:
These students are eligible for NTSE and can directly appear for the Stage II exam, bypassing Stage I.
Eligibility Criteria for Stage 1:
The candidate should have scored at least 60% in Class IX.
The candidate must be enrolled in a school recognized nationally in India.
Open Distance Learning (ODL) students are eligible if they are below 18 years of age as of July 1 in the examination year and are not employed.
Eligibility Criteria for Stage 2:
Only candidates who pass Stage I can appear in the NTSE Stage II exam.
4.0How to Apply for the NTSE Examination
To apply for the NTSE 2026 exam, students should keep the following points in mind:
- Students in Class X should watch for announcements in newspapers or school circulars from their State/UT government regarding the examination.
- For additional information or queries about state-level examination details, contact the State/UT Liaison Officers, whose contact information is available in the Appendix.
- Students must complete their application forms and submit them to the State Liaison Officer, ensuring their school's Principal signs them before the deadline set by their respective State/UT.
Application Fees for the NTSE Exam
NCERT doesn't charge a fee for the national NTSE exam. However, if you apply through your state for the exam, your state might charge a fee. So, the application cost can differ in each state or union territory.
5.0Exam Pattern for the National Talent Search Examination
The NTSE exam pattern will be helpful in understanding the way the exam will be conducted and in creating a proper preparation schedule. As per the details provided by officials about the exam pattern, NTSE is conducted in two phases. The candidates who clear the 1st round become eligible for the 2nd level, i.e., the national level exam. Below, we have provided the detailed exam patterns for both stages:
NTSE Stage I Exam Pattern:
Stage I of the NTSE is conducted at the state/UT level by the respective state/UT administrations. Aspirants can choose to take the test in English or Hindi. Each correct answer awards one mark, with no penalty for incorrect answers. The examination comprises two parts:
Mental Ability Test (MAT):
- Number of Questions: 100
- Maximum Marks: 100
- Types of Questions: MCQs (with four options, where only one is correct)
- Marking Scheme: +1 for every correct answer, no negative marking
- Duration: 2 hours
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT):
- Number of Questions: 100
- Maximum Marks: 100
- Types of Questions: MCQs (with four options, where only one is correct)
- Questions Distribution: Science – 40 Questions, Social Science – 40 Questions, Mathematics – 20 Questions
- Marking Scheme: +1 for every correct answer, no negative marking
- Duration: 2 hours
NTSE Stage II:
Candidates who pass Stage I are eligible for the Stage II exam. Stage II consists of the same structure as Stage I, with MAT and SAT sections containing 100 questions: Science 40, Mathematics 20, and Social Science 40. There is no deduction of marks for wrong answers, and each test lasts 2 hours or 120 minutes.
6.0NTSE 2026 Admit Card
Students must bring this admit card to the exam center for checking. The stage 2 admit card will be available online two to four weeks before the exam.
Different states issue the NTSE stage 1 admit card at various times. Some states provide these admit cards online, while others give them out through schools.
Students should collect their NTSE stage 1 admit cards from their school or download them from the official website using their application number and date of birth. The admit card includes essential information like the exam location, roll number, date, and time.
7.0Tips for Preparing for the 2026 NTSE Exam
To boost your confidence and achieve a high exam score, incorporate these tips into your daily study schedule:
- Familiarize yourself with the NTSE exam format and syllabus.
- Practice solving previous years' question papers and sample papers.
- Manage your time effectively during the exam by practicing time management techniques.
- Focus on important topics and subjects mentioned in the NTSE syllabus.
- Refer to NCERT books and additional study materials recommended by experts.
- Stay updated with the latest NTSE exam dates and notifications from official sources.
- Take mock tests to analyze your preparation and identify areas for improvement.
- Seek guidance from teachers, mentors, or coaching institutes specializing in NTSE preparation.
- Maintain a consistent study schedule and allocate sufficient time for each subject.
- Stay motivated and believe in your abilities to excel in the NTSE exam.
8.0NTSE 2026 Results Announcement Process
After conducting both stages of the exam, the final merit list will be published.
- State/Union Territory prepares merit lists based on minimum qualifying marks in both tests.
- Qualifying marks are 40% for General and OBC candidates and 32% for SC/ST/physically challenged candidates.
- State Level Talent Search examination results are declared in January/February by the respective States/UTs.
- This examination is a recommendation for the second-level NTS examination conducted by the NCERT.
- Marks obtained in the State-level examination are not considered for the national scholarship.
- NCERT does not handle correspondence regarding the first-level examination conducted by the State/UT.
- Candidates with queries or complaints should correspond with the state examination agencies for the State Level Examination.
Steps to Check the NTSE Result 2026
To check the final result of the NTSE 2026 exam, follow these instructions:
- Visit the official website of NCERT.
- Look for the "NTSE 2026" section and click on it.
- Find the link for "NTSE Result 2026" and click on it.
- The complete list of NTSE 2026 results, including a merit list, will be available.
- Search for your name or roll number in the list to see if you have qualified.
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9.0NTSE Scholarships
The NTSE scholarships are awarded as follows:
- Rs. 1250/- per month for students in classes 11 and 12.
- Rs. 2000/- per month for UG and PG students.
- Scholarships for PhD students are provided according to UGC norms.
