This year NCERT will conduct the stage II of National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) in coordination with states for students studying in Class X. NTSE 2016 – 2017 in all States and Union Territories was conducted on 05 Nov 2016, 06 Nov 2016 & 13 Nov 2016. NTSE 2017 stage II will be conducted on 14 May 2017.

NTSE 2016-2017 – Schedule

Students of Class X studying in recognised schools are eligible to appear for the respective Class X Stage I examination conducted by the States in which the schools are located. There will be no domicile restriction.

Students registered under Open Distance Learning (ODL) will also be eligible for scholarship, the student should be below the age of 18 years (as on 01 July of the particular year). The student should not employed. Student should be appearing for the first time.

NTSE State Quotas

Each State/Union Territory has been allotted a quota to recommend a specific number of candidates for the Stage II examination, the details of which will be made available on NCERT website. However, there will be no State/Union Territory Quota for the final award of scholarship after the Stage II examination.

NTSE Examination Pattern

The pattern of written examination for Class X will be as follows:

Stage I examination at the State/UT level will comprise two parts, namely (a) Mental Ability Test (MAT) and (b) Scholastic Ability Test (SAT) covering social sciences, sciences and mathematics.

Stage II examination at the National level will comprise (a) Mental Ability Test (MAT), (b) Scholastic Ability Test (SAT) covering Social Sciences, Sciences and Mathematics.

At Stage-II (National Level) Exam, there will be negative marking in each paper. For each wrong answer 1/3rd marks will be deducted. No marks will be deducted for unattempted questions.

NTSE Selection Process

There will be two-stage selection process for award of scholarship. For Stage-I, selection will be done by States/UTs through a written examination. Students who qualify Stage I will be eligible to appear for Stage II examination conducted by NCERT.

Qualifying marks for candidates fromGeneral category is 40% in each paper and for candidates from SC, ST, PH is 35% in each paper.

The States/UTs will also conduct the selection test for National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme along with the Stage-I written examination for NTS.

NTSE Reservation

• 15% scholarships will be reserved for students belonging to the SC category,
• 7.5% scholarships for students belonging to the ST category and
• 3% for Physically Challenged Group of Students.

NTSE Scholarships

On the basis of the National Talent Search Examination, 1000 scholarships will be awarded. The amount of scholarship will be as under:

• Scholarship of Rs. 1250 per month for class XI & XII
• Scholarship of Rs. 2000 per month for UG & PG
• Scholarship for Ph.D will be fixed in accordance with the UGC Norms.

NTSE for Indian Students Studying Abroad

Indian Students Studying Abroad in Class X can appear directly for Stage II NTS Examination under conditions prescribed in the NTS brochure which is available on the NCERT website. Candidates may fill up the Application Form, available on the NCERT website and send to the undersigned along with a photocopy of the mark sheet of previous examination, latest by 31 Dec 2016. Application Form for students studying abroad will be uploaded on NCERT website in the month of October 2016.