National Talent Search Examination

National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) is a national-level scholarship program in the Indian Union to identify and recognize students with high intellect and academic talent. It is one of the most prestigious exams in India. Close to 300,000 students (a largely self selective group of students) appear in this scholarship exam every year, and 2,000 scholarships are awarded, out of which 1550 are not reserved.The Union Minister of Human Resource Development Smt. Smriti Irani announced that the number of scholarships under National Talent Search Scheme will be doubled to 2000 from existing 1000 while speaking on the occasion of 55th Foundation Day celebration of the NCERT in New Delhi on 1st September 2015[1][2] The scheme is open to students of Indian nationality. Students studying in Class X are eligible to appear for the selection process. As it is organized by an official body (NCERT), it is widely regarded by the Government of India as the most prestigious and the most difficult examination at secondary level in the country.

History

The states and the union territories in the country with 350 scholarships for the students of Class XI. Those scholarships were awarded on the basis of a written examination, a project report and an interview. The written examination comprised the Science Aptitude Test and an essay on a given scientific theme. The candidates were to submit the project report at the time of the written examination. A stipulated number of candidates selected on the basis of those three components were then subjected to personal interviews. The performance of the candidates on those four components was eventually employed for the purpose of awarding scholarships. Those scholarships were awarded for pursuing education only in basic sciences up to doctoral level.

With the introduction of 10,+2 and +3 pattern of education, the NSTS scheme also underwent a change in 1976. It was no longer confined to only basic sciences but was extended to Social Sciences, engineering and medicine as well. It was renamed as National Talent Search Scheme (NTSE). Since the education system in India was undergoing a change, the scheme was made open to the students of Classes X, XI and XII and separate examinations were conducted for each class. The number of scholarships was raised to 500. The selection procedure was also changed. Now the candidates were subjected to two objective type written tests, namely the Mental Ability Test (MAT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). A stipulated number of candidates qualifying these two tests were subjected to a face-to-face interview. The final awards were made on the basis of composite scores obtained in the MAT, the SAT and the interview.

The number of scholarships was again enhanced from 500 to 550 in 1981. Those 50 scholarships were exclusively meant for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) candidates. The number of scholarships was once again escalated to 750 in 1983 with a provision of 70 scholarships especially for SC and ST candidates. That arrangement continued until the scheme was decentralized in 1985. Yet another change in the scheme was effected from 2000 wherein the number of scholarships was raised from 750 to 1000 with the provision of reservation for SC and ST candidates based on the national norms of 15% and 7.5% respectively.

The scheme was partially decentralized in 1985 and was confined to only class X. Under the new arrangement, the selection of candidates for the awards became a two-tier process. The states and the union territories have been entrusted with the responsibility of conducting the first tier screening examination known as State Level Talent Search Examination. Each state and union territory selects and recommended a stipulated number (state quota) of candidates for the national level examination to be conducted for about 5000 candidates by the NCERT. [3]

The states got complete autonomy to design and conduct their written examinations. However, they were advised to follow the national pattern which comprised MAT and SAT. The MAT, which consisted of 100 multiple choice type questions, was to be attempted by all the candidates. The SAT consisted of 25 multiple choice type questions each on eight subject areas namely Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography, Civics and Economics. The candidates could choose any four out of these eight subjects and had to answer a total of 100 questions in the SAT.

A stipulated number of candidates who qualified at the national level examination were called for face-to-face interviews. The award of scholarships was finally determined on the basis of the candidates’ scores obtained in all three components namely the MAT, the SAT and the Interview.

A crucial modification in the scheme was again made in the year 1995 when the provision of choice in the SAT was abolished and all the subjects were made compulsory. These subjects were Science, Social Science and Mathematics with 40, 40 and 20 questions respectively.

The scholarships under the present scheme are awarded to the candidates for pursuing courses in sciences and social sciences up to doctoral level and in professional courses like medicine and engineering up to second-degree level subject to the fulfillment of the conditions provided. Also, an important decision was taken in the year 2008, when NTSE is open only to the students of class VIII as against class X .In 2012, NTSE was reopened for class X students.

NTSE scheme at present

Declaration of results

The results of the first stage of the exam are declared between February to April, varying from state to state. The results of the second stage are declared between July to September. Students are divided into 4 quotas: General, SC, ST, Disabled. Around 1500 students are selected from General quota, 300 from SC, 160 from ST and around 40 from Disabled quota. The finals results of the second stage are displayed on the website www.ncert.nic.in by any time before May next year.they can publish final key/frozen key/ revised key/ etc., as and when required.

Syllabus

First level exam for class X

SAT: The syllabus for Mathematics, Science and Social Science is broadly based on the prescribed respective State Board Syllabus from Std 9th to 10th class. Few states like Kerala refer both state board and NCERT books while few states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh ask questions primarily from their state board books. MAT: General questions Language: state board books covers a lot. More focus is on vocabulary, grammar and basic understanding. Language in first stage is of qualifying nature only?

Second level exam for class X

NCERT has announced new pattern for stage 2 exam, where each correctly answered question awards the student +1, while an incorrect answer deducts 1/3 marks.

Mental Ability test: 50 questions 50 marks, Language test : 50 questions 50 marks, Scholastic Aptitude test : 100 questions 100 marks (40 q from Science, 20 q from maths, 40 q from SST), SAT: The mathematics and science questions will be asked from the chapters in the syllabus of class 9 and 10. The social science questions will also be asked from class 9 and 10[4] Language test is only for qualification, it is not counted in merit list..

Rewards

The students who qualify second stage are eligible for scholarship. The amount of scholarship has been enhanced to Rs.1250 per month for class XI and XII and Rs.2000 per month for students studying under graduate and above. The scholarship is provided immediately after the result. In case students have not received the letter from NCERT after 5 weeks of the declaration of the result, they should contact NCERT for updates. The scholarship is expected to increase up to 4000-5000 in next few years.It was increased to Rs.1250 and Rs.2000 as per the orders in July 2014 There are no restrictions like parental income, government school, domicile etc. In case the student moves abroad for studies, the scholarship will no longer be provided.


See also

References

  1. ↑ Yuvraj Jangid. "Number of scholarships doubled under National Talent Search Scheme - National Talent Search Examination". National Talent Search Examination.
  2. ↑ "National Council Of Educational Research And Training :: Home".
  3. ↑ Anand Meena. "State Level National Talent Search Exam (NTSE) 2016". AglaSem Schools.
  4. ↑ http://www.ncert.nic.in/programmes/talent_exam/pdf_files/LearnTest.pdf
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