• Prestigious national-level scholarship program in India for Class 10 students, testing aptitude in sciences, social sciences, and reasoning.

The National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) is 

a prestigious national-level scholarship exam for Class 10 students in India, conducted by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). It identifies and nurtures talented students through a two-stage process: a state-level Stage I exam and a national-level Stage II exam. The scholarship is awarded to students pursuing higher studies in basic sciences and social sciences up to the doctoral level, and in professional courses like medicine and engineering up to the second-degree level. The exam comprises a Mental Ability Test (MAT) and a Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). 

Purpose and Objectives

• To identify talented students with high intellectual and scholastic abilities.
• To provide financial support through scholarships for higher studies to these identified students.
• To nurture and support students in pursuing courses in science, social sciences, and professional fields up to advanced levels. 

Eligibility

• Students must be studying in Class 10 in a recognized school, regardless of their board.
• The exam is open to Indian students residing in India and abroad.
• Students from recognized Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programs can also apply, provided they meet age and employment criteria. 

Examination Structure

• Two Stages:The exam is conducted in two stages: Stage I (State/Union Territory level) and Stage II (National level). 
• Two Papers:Each stage consists of two papers:
  • Mental Ability Test (MAT): Tests reasoning and problem-solving skills.
  • Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT): Covers subjects such as Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, and Social Sciences. 
• Language:The exam papers are available in Hindi, English, and several other Indian languages. 

Scholarship Details

• Amount:Scholarships are awarded at different rates for different levels of study. 
• Duration:The scholarships are awarded for higher education, extending from Class XI and XII, through undergraduate and postgraduate studies, and even up to the doctoral level in some fields. 
• Reservation:A portion of the scholarships is reserved for candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and students with benchmark disabilities.