NTSE exam introduction

NTSE exam introduction

NTSE Introduction

NTSE (National Talent Search Examination) is a national-level scholarship program in India. It is considered as the most prestigious and the most difficult examination at high school level in the country.

The objective of NTSE is to identify and recognize students with high intellect and academic talent and help them for higher studies by providing scholarship at different stages.

The NTSE Examination is conducted for students studying in Class 10th only.

1. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

    The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) was established by the Government of India in the year 1961 with a view to bringing about qualitative improvement in school education in the country. No sooner the Council was set up than it mounted a number of programmes in this direction. One such programme was to identify and nurture the talented students. This programme took up the shape of a scheme called National Science Talent Search Scheme (NSTSS) in the year 1963 which provided for the identification of talented students and awarding them with scholarships. During the first year of the implementation of the scheme, it was confined to the Union Territory of Delhi wherein only 10 scholarships were awarded to the Class XI students.

In the year 1964 the scheme was extended to all the states and the union territories in the country with 350 scholarships for the students of Class XI. These scholarships were awarded on the basis of a written examination, a project report and interview. The written examination comprised the Science Aptitude Test and an Essay on a given scientific theme. The candidates were to submit the project report at the time of the written examination. A stipulated number of candidates selected on the basis of these three components were then subjected to personal interview. The performance of the candidates on these four components was eventually employed for the purpose of awarding scholarships. These scholarships were awarded for pursuing education only in basic sciences up to doctoral level.

Consequent upon the introduction of 10+2+3 pattern of education, the NSTS scheme also underwent a change in the year 1976. It was no longer confined to only basic sciences but was extended to social sciences, engineering and medicine as well. It was renamed as National Talent Search Scheme (NTSS). Since the education system in the country was undergoing a change, the scheme was made open to the students of Classes X, XI and XII and separate examinations were conducted for each class. The number of scholarships was raised to 500. The selection procedure was also changed. Now the candidates were subjected to two objective type written tests namely the Mental Ability Test (MAT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). A stipulated number of candidates qualifying these two tests were subjected to face-to-face interview. The final awards were made on the basis of composite scores obtained in the MAT, the SAT and the interview.

The number of scholarships was again enhanced from 500 to 550 in the year 1981. These 50 scholarships were exclusively meant for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) candidates. The number of scholarships was once again escalated to 750 in the year 1983 with a provision of 70 scholarships especially for SC/ST candidates. This arrangement continued until the scheme was decentralised in the year 1985. In the year 2000, the number of scholarships was raised from 750 to 1000 with the provision of reservation for SC and ST candidates based on the national norms of 15 per cent and 7½ per cent respectively.

Yet another change in the scheme was made in the year 2006 wherein the NTS examination was held at the end of Class VIII. From the year 2008 examination, a provision of 3 per cent reservation has been made for physically challenged students.

A discussion about this scheme took place in the 94th Meeting of Executive Committee of the NCERT held on 25.11.2010 and was decided that from 2012 the NTSE will again be held for class X students.

From the year 2012-13

NTSE will be conducted for Class X students

The examination will consist of Mental Ability Test(MAT) and Scholastic Ability Test(SAT)

Quota for State/UT will be computed proportionally on the basis of students enrolment 
    in Class IX and X

The amount of scholarship will be Rs. 500/- per month for all the students studying 
   in Class XI onwards(irrespective of class/course) except for Ph.D., wherein it is paid as per UGC norms.

NTSE 2016-17 Exam Dates

Update (August 2, 2016) : The dates of NTSE 2016-17 Stage-1 and Stage-2 examinations are announced by NCERT.

NTSE 2016-17 Stage-I

Examination in Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Andaman and Nicobar Island : 5th November 2016(Saturday)
Examination in Bihar and West Bengal : 13th November 2016 (Sunday)
Examination in All other States/UTs : 6th November 2016 (Sunday)

Note : NTSE Stage-I Application Form will be available from your State/UT Liaison officer only. Contact them to apply for NTSE 2016-17 Stage-I examination.

NTSE 2016-17 Stage-II

Examination in All States/UTs : 14th May 2017 (Sunday)

Related Page : NTSE Frequently Asked Questions

NTSE 2016-17 Application Form

The application form for NTSE 2016-17 can be obtained from State/UT Liaison officer. Last date for submitting the application form will be notified by respective State/UT only. Different states may have different last dates for submission.

The completed application form after signed by the Principal of the school will be submitted to the address specified by liaison officer of your State/UT.

The State/UT wise Liaison officers list is given here: List of Liaison officers NTSE 2016-17

Indian students studying abroad in class X can appear directly for Stage II NTS examination under conditions mentioned in the NTS brochure.

Application Form for Indian students studying abroad will be uploaded on the NCERT website in October, 2016.

NTSE 2016-17 Exam Fee: The exam fee for NTSE Stage-I exam will be notified by State/UT. For NTSE Stage-II examination, no fee is charged by NCERT.

NTSE Scholarships

On the basis of NTSE Examination, 1000 scholarship are awarded each year. Out of which 15% are reserved for students belonging to the SC category, 7.5% for students belonging to ST category and 3% for Physically Challenged group of students. Amount of scholarship will be:

• Scholarship of Rs.1250 per month for class XI and XII.
• Scholarship of Rs.2000/- per month for Undergraduates and Postgraduates students.
• Amount of Scholarship for Ph.D. be fixed accordance with the UGC norms.

New Rules for NTSE Scholarship Scheme from 2016-17 Session:

• Awardees have to secure an aggregate of 60% marks or equivalent grade in order to be eligible for scholarship every year.
• A pass in all subjects for which a student is registered/appeared is necessary.
• Withdrawal in non core subjects as per institutional rules of exemption is considered for payment of scholarship.
• In view of online payment of scholarship to the awardee the stipulated time period is reduced from 24 months to 12 months.
• Students pursuing diploma or certificate courses will be provided scholarship, provided they are not employed.

Eligibility Criteria for NTSE

All students of Class X studying in recognized schools are eligible to appear for the Stage - 1 examination, conducted by the State/UT's, in which the schools are located.

by

 Ganeshanbu

bt asst teacher,

tiruvarur dt