National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) is an exam under NTS scheme to award scholarship to students studying at the Class X level. Scholarships are awarded up to Ph.D. in Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities, Languages, Commerce, Vocational Studies and Fine arts. And up to second degree level for professional courses in medicines, engineering, technology, management and law.

Eligibility Criteria

All students studying in Class X in any recognized school is eligible to appear in Stage-I NTS exam. Additionally, State/UT can impose any eligibility criteria to appear in Stage-I.

For stage-II, there is a quota for each State and Union Territory computed based on Student enrollment at secondary level. Students with Indian Nationality studying abroad need to secure 60% marks in previous examination to apply for NTS exam.


The NTSE Exam Duration is 90 Minutes the Examination Pattern of the Exam is given below

Examination Pattern

Test No. of Questions Maximum Marks Time
Mental Ability Test (MAT) 50 50 45 minutes
Language Test 50 50 45 minutes
Scholastic Ability Test (SAT) 100 100 90 minutes


NTSE Selection Process
There will be two-stage selection process for award of scholarship. For Stage-I, selection will be done by States/UTs through a written examination. Students who qualify Stage I will be eligible to appear for Stage II examination conducted by NCERT.
Qualifying marks for candidates from General category is 40% in each paper and for candidates from SC, ST, PH is 35% in each paper.