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NTSE Scholarship 2026 Notification: Check Eligibility, Stage 1 & 2 Exam Dates

Sakshi Negi

Feb 5, 2026

NTSE Scholarship Notification 2026 is expected to be released soon along with the application form. Eligible students can apply online through their respective State/UT portals once the notification is out, usually in August 2026. NTSE exam is conducted in two stages: Stage I at the state level and Stage II at the national level. Only candidates qualifying Stage I can appear for Stage II. Scholarships are awarded based on overall performance in both stages. Stage I has a duration of 120 minutes.

National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) administers the National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) for students of class 10. It is mainly a scholarship program for bright class 10 students, and scholarships are granted in accordance with how well the students score in the NTSE exam.

NTSE Scholarship Notification 2026

National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) will releases NTSE Scholarship notification in August 2026 on official NTSE website. The notification will include important details such as eligibility criteria, application schedule, exam pattern, syllabus, and selection process.

NTSE Exam Date 2026

NTSE Scholarship exam dates 2026 are out. The table below lists the tentative exam schedule for the NTSE Scholarship 2026-25:

Events Dates
NTSE Notification 2026 Release Date August 2026
NTSE Application form releases August 2026
NTSE Stage 1 Admit Card Release Date TBA
NTSE Stage 1 Exam date TBA
NTSE Stage 1 Result TBA

NTSE Exam Date

NTSE Exam EventsNTSE Exam Dates
Stage-1Nov 3, 2024 - Nov 18, 2024

NTSE Scholarship 2026: Highlights

The table below is a summary of the important aspects of the NTSE Scholarship Exam

Particulars Details
Name of the Exam National Talent Search Examination (NTSE)
Conducting Body National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
Exam Level National
Exam Frequency Once in a year
Exam Levels
  • Stage 1
  • Stage 2
Application Mode Online
Application Fees Depends on different states/union territories
Mode of Examination Offline
Exam Duration 120 Minutes
Purpose of the exam A scholarship program for students of class X
Official Website https://ncert.nic.in/national-talent-examination.php

NTSE 2026 Scholarship Amount

NTSE 2026 scholarship amount is provided in three stages of education. For each education level, the Government offers around INR 2000 in scholarships. These stages and scholarships are as follows:

Standard Stipend
XI to XII Rs. 1250/- per month
Undergraduates (UG) and postgraduates (PG) Rs. 2000/- per month
Ph.D To be determined by UGC

NTSE Scholarship Eligibility Criteria 2026

NTSE Scholarship Eligibility Criteria 2026 has similar parameters as other government exams. You need to fulfill NTSE Scholarship eligibility criteria to appear for the exam.

  • For NTSE 2026, only applicants with Indian nationality can apply. The applicants must be Indian citizens currently enrolled in class 10 at a recognized private or public school.
  • If you are under 18 years old, unemployed, and enrolled in open or distance learning in class 10 are also eligible to apply for the NTSE exam.
  • Only those candidates who successfully complete Stage I will be eligible to apply for Stage II.
  • Indian students who are studying abroad and wish to register for the NTSE 2026 must provide a certified copy of their class 9 transcript to the head of the NCERT's Educational Survey Division before December 31, 2026.

NTSE Overall Eligibility Criteria 2026

You can refer to the table below to check the NTSE age limit and other crucial eligibility details:

Particulars Details
Age Limit Must be under 18 years old
Nationality Indian
Important Points Scholarships are also available to students enrolled in Open Distance Learning (ODL), if they are under the age of 18 on July 1 of the given year, are taking their class X exams for the first time, and are unemployed.

NTSE Scholarship 2026 - Reservation Criteria

NTSE Scholarship 2026 reservations are made available to various categories for the NTSE selection process:

Category Reservation Quota
Scheduled Caste (SC) 15%
Scheduled Tribe (ST) 7.5%
Other Backward Class (OBC) 27%
Physically Challenged group of students 4%

NTSE Application Process 2026

NTSE Application Process 2026 began in August 2026. It is advised that you must submit your application form only after carefully reviewing the eligibility criteria. You can follow the steps mentioned below to fill out the NTSE Scholarship Application 2026.

  • Download the application form from the official SCERT website or download it from the appropriate State/UT Liaison Officer (if available).
  • Fill out the application form with your name, date of birth, caste, gender, postal address, information about your family's financial situation, and academic information. If it's offline, you should write it down by hand.
  • Attach a current passport-size photo and your signature in the specified place. If you're submitting these documents online, upload a scan of them.
  • Pay the application fee in accordance with the state's requirements (either online or offline). States may have different fees.
  • Get the NTSE Scholarship 2026 application forms attested by your respective school Principal/Head.
  • Verify the information and send the forms—either physically or online—to the appropriate LOs.
  • The concerned SCERT authorities will either publish the admit cards online or mail them to the postal address you provided on the applications.

The application form for the National level NTSE Stage II 2026, would then be made available on the NCERT website. However, there will be no entrance cost for registering for the test. You must then enter basic information on the application form, including your name, parent's names, gender, date of birth, and category. In addition, information about class IX is needed while filling out the form.

For Indian Students Studying Abroad

  • Foreign-studying Indian students are able to apply directly for the Stage II exam. However, they must visit the NCERT's official website to download the Stage II application form.
  • You must submit your completed application form, together with a photocopy of your most recent exam grade sheet, to the address listed below-

Head, Educational Survey Division,

National Council of Educational Research and Training,

Sri Aurobindo Marg,

New Delhi, 110010

NTSE 2026 Exam Pattern

NTSE 2026 Exam Pattern consists of two stages- Stage I & Stage II. Aspirants should have proper knowledge of Exam Pattern to prepare efficiently for the exam. The NTSE Scholarship exam pattern 2026 is mentioned in the table below:

Paper Name Test Name Number of Questions Total Marks Exam Duration (in minutes)
1. Mental Ability Test (MAT) 100 100 120
2. Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) (Science, Social Science, Maths) 100 100 120

NTSE Exam Pattern for Stage I

  • A state and union territory level test will be stage I.
  • The stage exam will take place via offline mode (pen and paper-based test).
  • The Stage 1 exam will consist of two papers, Paper 1 and Paper 2, which will assess applicants' mental and academic abilities respectively. There will be a total of 200 questions, each worth one mark (a total of 200 marks).
  • There is no negative marking for the Stage I exam.

NTSE Exam Pattern for Stage II

  • The NTSE Stage II exam will be organized at the national level.
  • This test will be conducted by NCERT.
  • Stage II will be conducted offline, i.e. (pen and paper-based tests)
  • Paper 1 and Paper 2 are the two papers that will be covered in the Stage II test. Paper 1 will assess your mental abilities, while Paper 2 will measure their academic abilities.
  • There will be 200 questions altogether, at 1 point each (200 marks on both papers 1 and 2).
  • There is no negative marking in the NTSE Stage II exam.

NTSE 2026 Syllabus

NTSE 2026 syllabus is an essential part of effective NTSE preparation. It is easier for you to focus your preparation efforts in the proper direction if they have a strong understanding of the syllabus. If you intend to take the NTSE Scholarship exam in 2026 should be aware of the detailed syllabus for both stages.

NTSE 2026 - Detailed Syllabus

NTSE 2026 Scholarship Detailed Syllabus is given in the table below:

Sections Topics
Verbal Reasoning
  • Mathematical operations
  • Direction Sense Test
  • Coding-Decoding
  • Series
  • Classification
  • Inserting a missing character
  • Series completion test
  • Problems on clocks
  • Logical Venn diagrams
  • Arithmetical reasoning test
  • Analytical reasoning
  • Verification of truth of the statement
  • Blood Relations
Non-Verbal Reasoning
  • Incomplete Figures
  • Analytical Reasoning
  • Transparent paper folding
  • Classification
  • Folding Paper Cutting
  • Water images
  • Embedded figure
  • Series
  • Problems on cubes and dice
  • Dot fixing situation
  • Analogy
SAT Science Syllabus (Biology, Physics, Chemistry)
  • The Universe
  • Sound
  • Reproduction
  • Motion and Force
  • Measurement
  • Life Processes
  • Food Production & Management
  • Cellular Level of Organization
  • Acids Bases and Salts
  • Work and Energy
  • Structure of Atom
  • Some Common Diseases
  • Periodic Classification of Elements
  • Micro-Organisms
  • Magnetic & Electricity at Work
  • Human Body
  • Carbon and its Compound
  • Water
  • Sound of Energy
  • Soil
  • Metals & Non-Metals
  • Light
  • Heredity and Evolution
  • Diversity in Living Organisms
SAT Social Science Syllabus
  • Water Resources
  • Indian Constitution
  • French Revolution
  • UN and International Agencies
  • The Judiciary
  • Nationalism in Various Countries
  • The Delhi Sultanate
  • Internal Structure of the Earth and Rocks
  • Indus Valley Civilization
  • Local and State Government
  • Eighteenth Century Political Formation
  • Diversity and Livelihood
  • British Raj
  • Agriculture
  • World History
  • Solar System
  • Medieval Architecture and Culture
  • Popular Movements and Social Reforms
  • Vedic Period
  • The Mughal Empire
  • Resources and Development
  • Industrial Revolution
  • Indian Economics
  • Introduction and Sources of Ancient Indian History
  • Early Medieval Period
  • Culture, Science and Literature
  • Atmosphere
  • The Mauryas
  • Union Government
  • Natural Vegetation
  • Population
  • New Empires and Kingdoms
  • Motion of the Earth
  • Jainism, Buddhism and Conquerors from Distant Lands
  • Indian Freedom Struggle Industries
  • Early States
  • Democracy and Elections
  • Biosphere
SAT Maths Syllabus
  • Simple & Compound Interest
  • Linear Equation
  • Rational Numbers
  • Playing with Number
  • Mensuration
  • Percentage & Its Application
  • Basic Geometry
  • Algebraic Expressions
  • Probability
  • Probability
  • Trigonometry
  • Surface Areas and Volume
  • Number System
  • Exponent
  • Direct & Inverse Variations
  • Arithmetic
  • Quadratic Equations
  • Square & Cube Roots
  • Coordinate Geometry
  • Arithmetic Progressions

NTSE 2026 Selection Procedure

NTSE 2026 Selection Procedure consists of two stages- Stage I and Stage II. You will be only eligible to give Stage II if you qualify for Stage I with the minimum cut-off marks. NTSE Stage I is a state-level exam, whereas NTSE Stage II is a National-level exam. Distribution of the NTSE Scholarship will be provided based on the marks obtained in the NTSE Stage II Exam.

NTSE Exam Centres for Stage II

The table below lists all the exam centers for NTSE Stage 2 –

State/UT Exam Centre(s)/Venue
Andaman & Nicobar Islands KV No 2, Raksha Vihar, Minnie Bay
Andhra Pradesh KV, Gandhi Gram Post, Malkapuram, Visakhapatnam
Arunachal Pradesh KV No 2, Itanagar, Chimpu Post, Arunachal Pradesh
Assam KV CRPF Mile Amerigog, Kamrup, Guwahati
Bihar KV no 1, Lohiya Nagar, Near Heart Hospital, Kankarbagh, Patna
Chandigarh KV, ASF High Grounds, Chandigarh
Chhattisgarh KV No 2, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Nagar, Sector 4, Raipur
Dadra & Nagar Haveli KV, Government High School Campus, Silvassa
Delhi KV No 3, Ringroad, Near Seema Sadak Bhawan
Goa KV, INS Madovi, Panjim
Gujarat KV No 1, Near Police Commissioner’s Office, Shahi Baug, Ahmedabad
Haryana KV No 1, AFS, Sector 14, Old Delhi Road, Gurugram
Himachal Pradesh KV No 1, Dharamshala Cantt, Kangra
Jammu and Kashmir KV No 1, Gandhinagar, Jammu
Jharkhand KV CCL, Rajendra Nagar, Ranchi
Karnataka KV, ASC Center, Victoria Road, Bangalore, Karnataka
Kerala KV No 3, Port Trust, Willingdon Island, Kochi, Ernakulam
Lakshadweep KV, Kavaratti
Madhya Pradesh KV No 1, Opp Central India Flour Mill, Hoshangabad Road, Bhopal
Maharashtra KV, Bhandup, LBS Marg, Kanjurmarg WestKV, BEG, Near Deccan College, Pune
Manipur KV No 1, Lamphelpat, Imphal
Meghalaya KV, Happy Valley, Shillong
Mizoram KV, Project Pushpak Zemabawk, Aizawl
Nagaland KV, CRPF Camp, Lerie Hill, Kohima, Nagaland
Odisha KV No 1, Unit 9, Near Ram Mandir, Bhubaneswar
Puducherry KV, IIT Campus, Chennai
Punjab KV, ASF High Grounds, Chandigarh
Rajasthan KV No 1, Bajaj Nagar, Opp Tonk Phatak, Jaipur
Sikkim KV, Post Tadong, Middil, Siyari, Gangtok
Tamil Nadu KV, IIT Campus, Chennai
Telangana KV No 1, Langer House, Golconda, Hyderabad
Tripura KV (GC) CRPF, Adarani, Salbagan, Agartala
Uttarakhand KV ONGC, Kaulagarh Road, Dehradun
West Bengal KV, Ballygunge, Circular Road, Kolkata
Uttar Pradesh KV, Lucknow CanttKV, New Cantt, VD Road, Allahabad

NTSE Answer Key 2026

NTSE answer key 2026 will include all of the answers to the questions. NCERT will make it available on their official website in about a month following the examination. After the release of NTSE answer key, you may object to a question's incorrect response. After the release of the official notification, the specifics of this will be updated.

NTSE 2026 Result

NTSE 2026 Result for NTSE Stage I will be published soon after the release of the NTSE Scholarship 2026 answer key. It will be released on the official website of the recruitment body. The Stage-II exam (national level) is only open to applicants who passed the Stage-I exam. The combined SAT and MAT scores will be used to determine the Stage II exam results.

How to Check NTSE Scholarship 2026 Result?

To check NTSE 2026 Results, follow these steps:

  • Visit the state or union territory government's official website.
  • Select the "NTSE 2026 Result" link.
  • Students will be moved to the next page after clicking the link.
  • Enter the required credentials, including your birthdate and roll number.
  • On the submit button, click.
  • The screen will show the NTSE results.
  • Save a copy of it for later use.

NTSE 2026 Cutoff Marks

NTSE 2026 Stage I minimum cut-off scores will be out soon with the results. The cut-off list is created based on each category. As soon as the official notification is available, we'll update this section.

NTSE 2026 Minimum Qualifying Marks

You can view the cut-off list from the previous year in the table below:

Category Qualifying Marks
General Category 40% in each paper
SC/ST/PH category 35% in each paper

State-specific cutoffs for Stage-I NTSE will be notified by the relevant SCERT authorities. NCERT will choose the Stage-II cutoff, which will be the same across all of India. Students who qualify for this round may take the national-level Stage-II exam.

Factors Affecting NTSE Scholarship 2026 Cutoff Marks

The cut-off list is impacted by numerous things. The applicants should keep an eye on the factors because they might be quite important at times. According to past statistics, the following variables influence cut-off marks:

  • Total number of applicants who are taking the test
  • The highest and lowest marks a candidate can receive
  • Available quotas at the state level
  • Reservation limit for groups like the SC/ST/BPL/PH
  • The exam's level of difficulty

NTSE 2026 Books

NTSE 2026 books can be used by students to help them prepare for the NTSE Scholarship 2026-25 exam. To succeed in the NTSE exam, students must be able to comprehend each and every concept. The following NTSE books will aid you in your preparation and help you ace the exam. The following table lists the books that are suggested for the NTSE Scholarship 2026:

Name of the Book Publisher
Study Package for NTSE Class X McGraw-Hill Publications
Practice Test Papers for NTSE Class X 1st Edition McGraw-Hill Publications
Study Guide NTSE (MAT + SAT) for Class 10th 2019-2020 Arihant Experts
Pearson Guide to NTSE Class 10 (English) 1st Edition Pearson India
Target NTSE Class 10 Stage 1 & 2 Solved Papers (2015 – 19) Disha Experts
A Comprehensive Manual for NTSE for Class X (English) Access Publishing

NTSE Scholarship 2026 Study Notes

NTSE Scholarship 2026 study notes should be chosen wisely to qualify for the exam. NTSE exam is conducted for class X students to encourage them for higher studies in the field of science and social science. According to the NTSE Scholarship Exam Pattern, there will be offline tests for two stages i.e. Stage I and Stage II.

Therefore, students must stick to the study notes that are relevant from an exam viewpoint if they want to score well on the test. NTSE Scholarship 2026 study notes are a good resource for practice questions, particularly for the Social Science and Science parts, in addition to covering the exam's syllabus.

NTSE Scholarship Application Fees 2026

NTSE Scholarship Application Fees 2026 are different for different states and union territories and have varied application fees for Stage I. The Stage-II NTSE Exam has no application fee.

State Registration Fee (INR) Registration Mode
NTSE Tamil Nadu Application 50 Online
NTSE Jammu & Kashmir Application 190 Offline
NTSE Bihar Application General/ EWS/ OBC:n 150SC/ ST: 75 Online
NTSE Delhi Application No Fee Online
NTSE Karnataka Application Govt. Aided School: 75(SC/ST: Rs 20)Non-aided School: 200(SC/ST: 50) Offline
NTSE West Bengal Application No Fee Online
NTSE Puducherry Application - Online
NTSE Himachal Pradesh Application General: 50Reserved: 40 Online
NTSE Sikkim Application No Fee Offline
NTSE Rajasthan Application General: 300SC/ST/PWD: 200 Online
NTSE Assam Application General: 250Reserved: 200 Online
NTSE Madhya Pradesh Application No Fee Online
NTSE Haryana Application General: 200SC/ST/PWD: 140 Online
NTSE Telangana Application 100 Online
NTSE Kerala Application General: 250SC/ST/BPL: 100 Online
NTSE Odisha Application No Fee Online
NTSE Jharkhand Application General: 250SC/ST: 125 Online
NTSE Uttarakhand Application General: 250SC/ST/PH: 150 Offline
NTSE Goa Application No Fee Offline
NTSE Andhra Pradesh Application 200 Online
NTSE Maharashtra Application 150 Online
NTSE Punjab Application No Fee Online
NTSE Meghalaya Application No Fee Offline
NTSE Chhattisgarh Application No Fee Online
NTSE Gujarat Application General: 70OBC/SC/ST: 50 Online
NTSE Uttar Pradesh Application General: 50SC/ ST/ PH: 30 Online
NTSE Manipur Application No Fee Online
NTSE Daman & Diu Application General/ OBC: 75SC/ST: 55 Online
NTSE Tripura Application No Fee Online
NTSE Chandigarh Application No Fee Offline

NTSE Scholarship Admit Card 2026

NTSE Scholarship Stage I Admit Card 2026 was issued in October 2026. NTSE admit card 2026-25 can be made available in online or offline mode. The next step is to download the admit card when you have submitted the application form. The NTSE Scholarship 2026 admit card contains crucial information like the exam date, venue, time, etc.

The organization in charge of administering the NTSE exam will make the offline admit cards of candidates who successfully registered for both stages. The chief superintendent of the NTSE exam center where they are scheduled to take the exam will be where candidates can take up their individual admit cards.

How to Download NTSE Scholarship Admit Card 2026

The following are the processes for downloading the NTSE 2026 admit card:

  • Click the NTSE option on the Program portal of the official website of NCERT.
  • Click the link to download the admit card.
  • Filling in a valid application number and your birthdate
  • On the screen, the NTSE admit card will appear.
  • Check the card's important information, then print a copy of it.
  • If there are any errors on the admit card, immediately contact the school administration.

Details Mentioned on the NTSE Scholarship 2026 Admit Card

You can find the below-mentioned details on the NTSE Scholarship 2026 admit card:

  • Name
  • Roll Number
  • Date of Birth
  • Signature
  • Photo
  • Exam Date, Time, and Venue
  • Exam Day Instructions

NTSE 2026 Exam Day Guidelines

Here are some guidelines you need to follow for NTSE 2026

  • Make sure to carry your admit cards, pencil, pen, and photo identity card to the examination hall
  • Reach the exam center at least 45 minutes before the NTSE Exam 2026 begins
  • Electronic devices, purses, and any kind of papers apart from NTSE Admit Card are not allowed.

Major NTSE Changes over the year

Feature Years Changes made in NTSE
Number of Scholarships(In 1963, just 10 scholarships were awarded) 1964 From 10 to 350
1976 From 350 to 500
1981 From 500 to 550 (out of which 50 were reserved for SC and ST categories)
1983 From 550 to 750 inclusive 70 scholarships were reserved for SC and ST students.
2000 From 750 to 1000 with reservations as under – 15% for Scheduled Caste students and 7.5% for Scheduled Tribes students
2019 From 1000 to 2000 with reservation as under – 27% for Other Backward Class students 15% for Scheduled Caste students 7.5% for Scheduled Tribes students 4% for Physically Disabled students
2020 2000 scholarships with reservation as under – 27% for Other Backward Class students 15% for Scheduled Caste students 7.5% for Scheduled Tribes students 4% for Physically Disabled students 10% reservation added for Economically Weaker Sections
Scholarship amount 2006-2007 The scholarship amount was raised up to Rs. 500. However, the students pursuing Ph.D. courses were given scholarship amount as per the UGC norms only.
2014-2015 till present The scholarship amount of Rs. 500 was increased for students at different levels as under – Class 11th and Class 12th: Rs. 1250 per month At Bachelor degree and Post-Graduate degree levels: Rs. 2000 per month Students pursuing a Ph.D. degree – As per UGC norms
Subjects Specialization/Stream of higher education 1976 (after the introduction of the 10+2+3 education pattern) From Basic Sciences to Engineering, Social Sciences, and Medicine streams
2019
  • Scholarships were awarded to students pursuing higher education in Social Science and Science streams up to the doctoral level.
  • Scholarship for professional courses in Medicine and Engineering was awarded up to the Post-Graduation level only.
Change in Name 1976 From the National Science Talent Search Scheme (NSTSS) to the National Talent Search Scheme (NTSS)
Class level (initially only Class 10th students could apply and appear for the NTSE Scholarship examination) 1976 NTSE Exam was extended up to Class 10th, Class 11th, and Class 12th Students, and separate examinations were conducted for each level.
1985 The class level was returned to Class 10th. However, the centralized examination process at the national level for students from all over India was decentralized i.e. Tiers were introduced and now, students were required to appear for Tier I at their state level and then for Tier II at the national level.
2006-2007 NTSE was now conducted for Class 8th students from Class 10th earlier. However, NCERT conducted 2 more exams for Class 10th students in 2007-2008 to provide an opportunity to students studying in Class 9th and Class 10th at that time.
2013 till present The Class level was again set only for Class 10th.
Selection Procedure 1976
  • Two objective-type written tests were introduced i.e. Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) in place of descriptive written tests and Essays based on Science themes only
  • Project Report submission was discontinued
  • Only qualified students needed to appear for face-to-face Interviews.
  • Selection based on composite scores in MAT, SAT, and Interview only.
2013
  • Language Ability Test (LAT) introduced as part of the selection criteria.
  • LAT was either English or Hindi as per the choice of students.
  • It is of only a qualifying nature as the scores of LAT were not included in deciding the merit of students for NTSE scholarships.
2018 and onward LAT paper was removed from the selection procedure
Exam Pattern 1985 A uniform exam pattern was designed for MAT and SAT for all states and UTs conducted the Tier 1 exam of NTSE. The exam pattern of the NTSE Stage 1 exam now includes – For MAT: 100 MCQs For SAT: 200 MCQs divided into 25 for each subject as under -
  1. Mathematics,
  2. Physics,
  3. Chemistry,
  4. Biology,
  5. History,
  6. Geography,
  7. Civics,
  8. Economics.
However, candidates were provided with a choice of selecting any four of the eight sections and therefore, only needed to answer 100 questions.
1995 The choice to select sections in the SAT paper was terminated. The SAT paper was now based on Science, Social Science, and Mathematics. Science and Social Sciences section 40 MCQs each and the remaining 20 were for Mathematics.
2006-2007 The Class VIII NTSE exam pattern was based on 90 questions for each paper i.e. MAT and SAT. SAT included 35 questions each for Science and Social Science and, 20 MCQs for Mathematics.
2014
  • A negative marking scheme was introduced for the Stage II examination of NTSE
  • For each wrong attempt, 1/3rd of the total marks allotted for a question was deducted.
  • Also, no marks were deducted for questions that were not attempted by students.
2018 onward
  • The negative Marking Scheme discontinued
  • Exam time duration increased from 90 minutes to 120 minutes for each paper i.e. MAT and SAT. Also, 30 minutes extra for Visually Challenged candidates)
  • Reporting time for the examination hall was changed to 09:00 am to 8:00 am.
  • The exam timings are as under –
For MAT paper: 9:30 am to 11:30 am (12:30 am for VC candidates) For SAT paper: 1:30 pm to 03:30 pm (4:00 pm for VC candidates)
  • The total number of questions for the MAT paper was increased as the LAT paper was removed.
Earlier, MAT and LAT papers carried 50 marks each. The MAT paper now carries a total of 100 questions.
Other relevant features 2006-2007
  • The parental/family income criteria to award the NTSE scholarship were discontinued.
  • Books grants were also discontinued.
2008 A reservation of 3% of scholarships from total scholarships was decided for Physically Challenged students.
2015 The minimum qualifying marks for qualifying NTSE were increased from 32% to 35% for SC/ST/PH candidates.
2017 4% reservation in scholarships made for physically challenged Category
2018 The minimum qualifying marks for NTSE qualification have been revised as under – 40% for General Category Candidates and 32% for SC/ST/PH candidates in both tests separately.
2019 A reservation of 27% is introduced for OBC category candidates
2020 Reservation of 10% added for EWS candidates
Non-conduct of the exam 2022 & 2023 NTSE was not held in the years 2022 and 2023, marking the first such omission in its 60-year history

NTSE Scholarships and Benefits 2026

NTSE Scholarships and Benefits 2026 are immense. After attempting all levels, the deserving students who are shortlisted will receive scholarships for their studies every month. Currently, only the top 2000 students are eligible for this award, and NCERT prepares the NTSE Scholarship merit list. The following table summarises the NTSE scholarship amounts for various educational levels:

Stage Rate of scholarship
Higher Secondary level- Class 11th and 12th INR 1,250 per month
Undergraduates and Postgraduates INR 2,000 per month
Ph.D students (for 4 years) As per UGC norms

You can greatly benefit from the National Level Scholarship Program, or NTSE, offered by the Indian government throughout their academic lives. The exam is not just about academics; it is also a source of immense pleasure and honor for each student to be acknowledged as one of the country's best talents.

NTSE 2026 Contact Information

For the NTSE stage I exam – You can contact the State Council of Research and Technology (NCERT) or the listed Liaison Officer of their respective State/UT.

For NTSE stage II exam: Official Address – Educational Survey Division, National Council of Educational Research and Training, Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi 110 016, Phone Numbers – +91-11-26560464, +91-11-26562704, E-mail Address – deme.ncert@nic.in, esdhead@gmail.com, esdhead.ncert@gov.in, ntse2@yahoo.co.in, Official Website: www.ncert.nic.in, Phone Number: +91-11-26560464

NTSE 2026 FAQs

Question: Can students from CBSE schools apply for NTSE 2026-25?

Answer: Yes, students studying in Class 10 from any recognized board, including CBSE, ICSE, and state boards, are eligible to apply for NTSE 2026-25. The examination is open to all Indian citizens irrespective of the board.

Question: Are there any age restrictions for NTSE 2026-25 applicants?

Answer: There is no specific age limit to apply for NTSE. However, the candidate must be a student studying in Class 10 to be eligible.

Question: What is the difficulty level of NTSE compared to other school exams?

Answer: NTSE exam is considered challenging as it aims to identify talented students at the national level. The difficulty level is generally higher than regular school exams and requires focused preparation, particularly for the Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).

Question: How can I access the NTSE 2026-25 application form?

Answer: You can obtain the application form from the Liaison Officer of your respective state or union territory. Forms and detailed instructions are also available on the official NCERT website and state education department portals.

Question: Is NTSE only for students from government schools?

Answer: No, NTSE is open to students from all recognized schools, including government, private, and unaided schools across India.

Question: What documents are needed for NTSE 2026-25 registration?

Answer: You will typically need a duly filled application form, a copy of your Class 9 mark sheet, and any relevant category certificates (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD), if applicable.

Question: How are NTSE scholarships awarded to selected students?

Answer: Scholarships are awarded based on the performance of students in both stages of the NTSE exam. The amount varies depending on the level of study and is paid on a monthly basis.

Question: Do I need to clear both stages of NTSE to be eligible for a scholarship?

Answer: Yes, to be eligible for an NTSE scholarship, you need to qualify in both Stage 1 (state-level) and Stage 2 (national-level) examinations.

Question: Will there be negative markings in the NTSE 2026-25 exam?

Answer: As per previous trends, there is no negative marking in NTSE Stage 1 or Stage 2. However, candidates should check the specific guidelines released for NTSE 2026-25 to confirm.

Question: Are there any reservation benefits for EWS candidates in NTSE 2026-25?

Answer: Yes, reservations for EWS, SC, ST, OBC, and PwD categories are available as per government norms. Candidates should check with their respective state/UT for exact details and applicable benefits.

Question: Is there a provision for rechecking or re-evaluation of NTSE results?

Answer: No, there is generally no provision for rechecking or re-evaluation of NTSE results. Candidates are advised to carefully review the answer keys and official notifications for any updates regarding this policy.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.
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