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.
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 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 Events | NTSE Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| Stage-1 | Nov 3, 2024 - Nov 18, 2024 |
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 |
|
| 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 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 has similar parameters as other government exams. You need to fulfill NTSE Scholarship eligibility criteria to appear for the exam.
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 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 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.
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
Head, Educational Survey Division,
National Council of Educational Research and Training,
Sri Aurobindo Marg,
New Delhi, 110010
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
NTSE Exam Pattern for Stage II
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 Scholarship Detailed Syllabus is given in the table below:
| Sections | Topics |
|---|---|
| Verbal Reasoning |
|
| Non-Verbal Reasoning |
|
| SAT Science Syllabus (Biology, Physics, Chemistry) |
|
| SAT Social Science Syllabus |
|
| SAT Maths Syllabus |
|
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.
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 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 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.
To check NTSE 2026 Results, follow these steps:
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.
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.
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:
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 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 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 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.
The following are the processes for downloading the NTSE 2026 admit card:
You can find the below-mentioned details on the NTSE Scholarship 2026 admit card:
Here are some guidelines you need to follow for NTSE 2026
| 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 |
|
|
| 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 |
|
| 2013 |
|
|
| 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 -
|
| 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 |
|
|
| 2018 onward |
|
|
| Other relevant features | 2006-2007 |
|
| 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 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.
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
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.
Download the PREPP App and attempt FREE NTSE Mock Tests and get complete study material!
Comments