NTSE scholarship: Details, eligibility and how to apply

This step-by-step guide will tell you everything you need to know in order to apply for the NTSE scholarship and increase your chances of being selected. Learn about the eligibility criteria, the required documents, and the application process.

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NTSE scholarship overview

The National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) is a national scholarship program conducted by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) in India to identify and recognise students with high academic potential. It is a nationwide exam held annually for students in Class 10 to promote higher education to all. The exam consists of two parts – stage 1, which is conducted by the respective states and stage 2, which NCERT operates.

See also: How to apply for INSPIRE scholarship?

NTSE scholarship: Eligibility criteria

The NCERT has released the eligibility criteria for the NTSE scholarship. As per the criteria, students in Class 10 studying in recognised schools affiliated with any state, central, or international board are eligible to appear for the NTSE exam. The prerequisites for stage 1 as well as stage 2 examination is listed below:

Stage 1: Candidates studying in India

The applicant must be currently enrolled in class 10 under any board.
The applicant must be unemployed and of age below 18 years.
The applicant must be attempting the class 10 board examination for the first time.

Stage 1: Candidates studying abroad

The applicant must hold the nationality of India.
The applicant must be attempting the class 10 board examination for the first time.

Stage 2: Candidates studying in India

The applicant must clear the NTSE stage 1 examination to attempt stage 2 tests.

Stage 2: Candidates studying abroad

The applicant must score a minimum aggregate of 60% in previous examinations.
The applicant must appear for the test in the Indian centre.
The applicant must decide to continue their studies in India to receive the scholarship.

Grade	Eligibility criteria
Class 11 and Class 12	In the event of promotion to Class 11, the scholarship will begin. This scholarship is only available to Indian students for two years. Students who are unemployed and enrolled in diploma or certificate courses may also be eligible for scholarships. Students must achieve a cumulative score of at least 60% each year to qualify for a scholarship. Scholarships will be permanently terminated unless the student fulfils the requirement for consecutive or non-consecutive academic years.
UG	The student must secure at least 60% in high school or an equivalent exam to maintain their scholarship at the first-degree level. A student will continue receiving the scholarship if they maintain a cumulative grade point average of 60% on internal exams or the final degree. The scholarship will be permanently revoked unless earned within two consecutive or non-consecutive years.
PG	The student must score at least 60% each year to be eligible for a scholarship. The scholarship will be discontinued if a student does not attain 60% in two consecutive or non-consecutive years.
PhD	Pre-doctoral or PhD studies require a minimum mark of 60% or equivalent in the MA/MSc/MCom/MPhil course at the first attempt to be considered for continuation. Students will be granted scholarships during their second and fourth years of PhD study if their guides certify that they have produced high-quality work during their first and third years.

NTSE scholarship: Documents required

An NTSE application requires the following documents:

A passport-sized photograph of the applicant
Aadhaar Card of the applicant
Domicile/ residential certificate of the applicant
Income certificate of the applicant’s family
Caste and disability certificate
The applicant’s class 9 mark sheet

How to apply for an NTSE scholarship?

To apply for an NTSE scholarship, students must first register for the NTSE exam by filling out the application form and submitting it to the NCERT. The application form can be obtained from the NCERT website for their respective states.

Step 1: Navigate to the NCERT portal in your state or union territory. The applicant can also contact his state Liaison Officer.

Step 2: Upload all the required documents after filling out the application form. In addition, the school’s principal or head must attest to the application.

Step 3: Make the payment and submit the form.

NTSE scholarship: Examination fees

In accordance with NCERT guidelines, students are not required to pay examination fees for the stage 2 NTSE exam. The stage 1 exam may, however, need students to pay an examination fee depending on the requirements of the states or UTs. Additionally, students can obtain information regarding their respective application fees and payment options from their State Liaison Officer.

NTSE scholarship: Reservation prerequisites

The NCERT offers 1,000 scholarships to students studying in class 10. However, the institution has laid specific reservation criteria for the reserved categories:

Scheduled Caste	15%
Scheduled Tribes	7.50%
Handicapped	4%
Other Backward Castes	27%
Economically Weaker Sections	10%

NTSE scholarship award scheme

The NCERT offers scholarships to students pursuing high school, undergraduate, post-graduation, and PhD courses. After an in-depth scrutiny of the applicant’s profile and marks scored in the qualifier examination, the institution releases a list of students who qualified for the scholarship. The scholarship is rewarded on a monthly basis:

Class 11 and Class 12	Rs 1,250 per month
UG and PG	Rs 2,000 per month
PhD	In accordance with the UGC norms

NTSE scholarship: Examination pattern

NTSE scholarship is a two-stage examination: Stage I is conducted at the state level, and Stage II is undertaken at the national level. Students can choose to attempt the paper in any language prescribed by NCERT. A detailed view of the exam pattern is tabulated below:

Mode of examination	Online (Multiple Choice – OMR)
Languages	English Hindi Bangla Asamiya Gujarati Kannada Malayalam Marathi Punjabi Odia Urdu Telugu Tamil
Number of papers	MAT- 100 questions SAT- 100 questions
Duration of examination	2 hours
Marking scheme	One mark for each question No negative marking
MAT (Stage 1) syllabus	Basic mathematics Aptitude
SAT (Stage 2) syllabus	Mathematics Social science Science (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology)

How to prepare for the NTSE scholarship examination?

To crack the NTSE exam, students need to have a strong foundation in Maths and Science. Here are some essential tips to help students prepare for the NTSE exam. By following these tips, students can increase their chances of cracking the NTSE exam.

Understand the exam pattern and syllabus: The first step is understanding the exam pattern and syllabus. This will help students know what to expect in the exam and help them prepare accordingly.

Develop a strong foundation in Maths and Science: As mentioned earlier, students need to have a strong foundation in Maths and Science to crack the NTSE exam. They should focus on building their concepts and problem-solving skills in these subjects.

Practise with mock tests and previous year’s papers: Another essential tip is to practise with the prior year’s papers. This will help students understand the exam pattern and the type of questions asked.

Time management: Time management is crucial in any exam, and the NTSE is no different. Students must ensure they attempt all the questions within the given time limit.

Revision: Students should revise all the concepts regularly to ensure they remember everything.

FAQs

I am in class 11. Can I apply for the NTSE scholarship?

No, the NTSE scholarship applies to students studying in class 10. Scholarships will be awarded to continue their higher secondary education, graduation, post-graduate studies, and PhD studies in India.

What is the selection process for the NTSE scholarship 2022?

NCERT organises NTSE scholarship qualifier exams once a year. To qualify for the scholarship, the student has to attempt and pass two stages of examination (MAT and SAT)