NTSE Exam 2025: The National Council of Educational Research & Training (NCERT) has yet to announce the dates for the NTSE application form for 2025. Officials have informed Shiksha.com that there is currently no confirmation regarding whether the exam will take place this session. Students are encouraged to frequently check this page for updates on the NTSE exam dates and application form for 2025. As soon as the official exam date is released, it will be posted here. Applications for NTSE will be available both online and offline, depending on the state.
The NTSE was not conducted from 2022 to 2024. NCERT may be planning to hold the NTSE in 2025, potentially providing an opportunity for students who missed out last year to qualify for the scholarship.
Eligible candidates can download the NTSE application forms and submit them along with any applicable fees before the deadline. The application deadline for NTSE 2025 will differ by state. Candidates can access the NTSE Application Forms 2025 link above to download the form specific to their state.
For states that require offline NTSE registrations, students must download the National Talent Search Examination application forms for 2025 online, print them out, and complete them manually. The completed forms, along with any necessary application fees, must be submitted in person at school before the deadline.
In its most recent circular, NCERT stated, “The National Talent Search Scheme was approved until March 31, 2021. The continuation of the scheme in its current format has not been authorized and is on hold until further notice.”
About NTSE
The National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) is a prestigious scholarship test organized by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). Its primary goal is to discover and support exceptional students aiming for advanced studies in Science and Social Studies. This examination is specifically designed for students in the 10th grade and is divided into two distinct stages. The first stage is administered at the state level by various states and Union Territories, while the second stage is conducted nationally by NCERT, exclusively for those who successfully pass the first stage. Students who qualify for NTSE Stage 1 gain the opportunity to take the Stage 2 exam. The overarching purpose of the NTSE initiative is to provide scholarships to gifted students, enabling them to further their education in the fields of Science and Social Studies.
| Highlights of National Talent Search Examination | |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | National Talent Search Examination Commonly known as NTSE |
| Conducted by | NTSE Stage 1 is conducted by respective states/ UTs National level or NTSE stage II is conducted by NCERT |
| Exam Level | National Level |
| Class level | Class 10th |
| Total Scholarships | 2000 |
| Scholarship amount | Rs. 1250 per month for Class 11-12Rs. 2000 per month for UG and PG levelAs per UGC norms for research level |
| Scholarship level | Up to PhD level |
| Exam Mode | Offline examination |
| Exam Papers | Mental Aptitude Test (MAT) Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) |
| Test Duration | 120 minutes for each paper (MAT & SAT) at each level i.e. a total of 240 minutes. (same for both the stages) |
| Total Exam Centers | For NTSE Stage I exam – In all 28 states and 9 UTsFor NTSE Stage II – 35 exam cities |
| Registration dates | Registration begins in August/September every year and the last date of application is notified by the respective State/UT separately |
| Exam dates for NTSE 2025 stage 1 | November/December* for Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Andaman and Nicobar Islands November/December* for All other states and UTs |
| Exam date for NTSE 2025 stage 2 | June, 2026* |
| Exam Helpline for NTSE Stage II examination only | Phone number – 011-26560464e-mail – ntsexam.ncert@gov.in |
| Official Website | http://www.ncert.nic.in |
NTSE 2024 Exam Dates & Schedule
Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of National Talent Search Examination 2024 exam
| Dates | Upcoming Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| Feb ’25 – May ’25 | NTSE Stage 1 Result 2024TENTATIVE |
| Dates | Past Exam Dates |
| Nov ’24 | Conduct of NTSE Stage 1 Exam 2024 for Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Andaman and Nicobar Islands |
| Nov ’24 | Conduct of NTSE Stage 1 Exam 2024 for all other States and UTs |
NTSE 2025: Important dates and other events
Candidates can find all the important events and dates related to NTSE 2025 below:
| Events | Stage I dates (Tentative) | Stage II dates (Tentative) |
|---|---|---|
| NTSE application dates | Aug/Sep | No registration required |
| NTSE Admit card releases | October | May 2025 |
| NTSE Exam dates | November | June 8, 2025 |
| NTSE Result releases | January – April 2025 | August 2025 |
NTSE Eligibility 2025
To participate in the NTS 2025 scholarship exam, candidates must meet the eligibility requirements set forth by NCERT. Each State and Union Territory outlines its own NTSE Eligibility Criteria for 2025, which includes academic qualifications, age limits, and the minimum qualifying marks from the previous class that applicants must achieve to be eligible for the exam. Only those who satisfy these criteria will be considered for the scholarship after successfully passing the National Talent Search Examination2025 examinations. Below are the details regarding NTSE eligibility for both stage I and stage II exams:
NTSE Eligibility Criteria 2025 for Stage I (State Level) –
The following conditions apply:
Candidates currently enrolled in Class 10 at any recognized Private or Government school, including Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, and Sainik Schools, are eligible to apply.
There are no domicile restrictions, allowing candidates to take theNational Talent Search Examination stage I exam in their respective state or UT.
The SCERT of each state or UT may impose additional requirements for the stage I exam, such as minimum qualifying marks from the previous class.
Students pursuing their education through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programs, such as the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) or State Open Boards, are also eligible to apply and take the NTSE 2024 exam.
Candidates studying through Open and Distance Learning must be at least 18 years old at the time of the scholarship exam. Additionally, they should not be employed in any capacity, including part-time jobs, and must be appearing for the Class 10 qualifying examination for the first time.
NTSE 2025 Eligibility Criteria for the NTSE Stage II Exam –
For candidates studying in India:
To be eligible for the National Talent Search Examination Stage II exam conducted by NCERT, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- They must be Indian Nationals, regardless of whether they are taking their Class 10 qualifying examination in India or abroad.
- They should have successfully passed the Stage I exam at the state level.
For candidates studying outside India:
Indian nationals studying overseas can directly participate in the Stage II exam for the NTS scholarship.
- They must have achieved a minimum of 60 percent in their previous qualifying examination, which is Class 9.
- These candidates should intend to pursue their higher education exclusively in India after receiving the National Talent Search Examination Scholarship.
NTSE Eligibility 2025: General Criteria for NTSE Scholarship Awards
- To qualify for the NTSE scholarship, candidates must enroll in approved courses within the fields of Science, Social Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. They are expected to pursue their higher education exclusively in India.
- Candidates must demonstrate good conduct at their school and continue their education without interruption.
- It is essential that candidates do not have unexcused absences from school and keep the school authorities informed about any necessary leaves.
- Candidates must be full-time students and should not be employed or receiving any form of salary or stipend.
- If a candidate is receiving scholarships from other programs, they must choose which scholarship to retain.
- In cases where a candidate is awarded another scholarship, their National Talent Search Examination Scholarship will be suspended for that year. It can only be reinstated upon a request to NCERT, provided they forfeit benefits from any other scholarship programs.
- Candidates who receive fee waivers, one-time grants, fee subsidies, or accommodation are qualified for the National Talent Search Examination National Talent Search Examination Scholarship.
- If a candidate decides to withdraw from their studies or discontinue their education within a year of enrollment, they will not be eligible for the scholarship.
- It is essential for candidates to pass all subjects of their course on their first attempt. If they fail to achieve this in any core subject, their scholarship will be revoked.
- Candidates who receive fee waivers, one-time grants, fee subsidies, or accommodation are qualified for the National Talent Search Examination Scholarship.
- If a candidate decides to withdraw from their studies or discontinue their education within a year of enrollment, they will not be eligible for the scholarship.
- It is essential for candidates to pass all subjects of their course on their first attempt. If they fail to achieve this in any core subject, their scholarship will be revoked.
NTS Exam Procedure 2025
NTSE Application 2025: Students eager to take part in the NTSE can submit their applications through their respective state or Union Territory, either online or offline, as directed by the examination authorities. Candidates must download the application form online and present it to their School Principal for certification before the deadline, along with any applicable application fee. For those opting for the offline method, the National Talent Search Examination Application Form can be collected from their school or designated Liaison Officers in their state or UT.
Information regarding the availability of the National Talent Search Examination application form for the state-level examination is also published in local and national newspapers, as well as through circulars distributed in schools by the respective state or UT.
The National Talent Search Examination admit card for 2025 is included with the application form and must be completed by the candidates. This admit card will be signed by the State Liaison Officer and provided to the candidates in October.
NTSE Admit Card 2025 – The admit card for NTSE 2024, specifically for stage 1, will be released by the exam authorities at least 15 days prior to the exam date. While many states distribute the NTSE 2025 admit card in a physical format, others offer it online for candidates to download. Applicants for National Talent Search Examination 2025 will receive their admit cards from their respective state or union territory for the state-level examination. It is essential to bring the admit card on the day of the exam; without it, candidates will not be permitted to participate. Those who pass the state-level exam will receive the NTSE 2024 Stage 2 admit card from NCERT, which can only be downloaded from NCERT’s official website.
NTSE Stage 1 exam – The examination for National Talent Search Examination 2025 is expected to take place in November or December, conducted by the states and union territories in offline mode at designated exam centers.
NTSE Stage 1 Result 2025 – The results for National Talent Search Examination Stage 1 in 2025 will indicate whether candidates have qualified for both the MAT and SAT papers. Candidates can access their results online through the official website of the SCERT/DGE for their respective state or union territory. The results will be presented in a merit list format, showcasing the names, scores, and ranks of all candidates who have successfully qualified in their state or UT.
NTSE Stage 2 Exam – Candidates who pass the Stage 1 exam at the state level will be eligible to take the national levelNational Talent Search Examination, organized by NCERT. The NTSE Stage 2 exam for 2025 is anticipated to take place in June 2025. The structure, details, and subjects of the exam will mirror those of Stage 1.
NTSE Stage 2 Result: The final results for the NTSE Stage 2 examination are expected to be released around August or September 2025. Candidates can check their results via a link provided by NCERT, where they will need to input their roll number and date of birth. The results will include individual scores as well as a combined score for both MAT and SAT papers. The National Talent Search Examination scholarship will be awarded based on the merit list following the announcement of the Stage 2 results.
The NTSE examinations, both at the state and national levels, take place at specific centers assigned by the authorities overseeing the tests. For the state-level National Talent Search Examination exam, candidates will find their designated exam centers indicated on their admit cards, as determined by their respective states or Union Territories. Meanwhile, the Stage 2 examination is organized by NCERT at designated testing locations. The list of NTSE Exam Centers for Stage 1 in 2025 will be published by the states approximately one month prior to the exams, while the details for Stage 2 exam centers are provided below.
NTSE Exam Centres for Stage 2
The table below lists all the exam centres 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 West KV, 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 Cantt KV, New Cantt, VD Road, Allahabad |
Exam Day Instructions
Candidates participating in the National Talent Search Examination should adhere to the following instructions on exam day:
Be sure to bring your admit card, a pencil, a pen, and a valid photo ID to the exam venue.
All candidates are required to arrive at the exam center at least 45 minutes before the exam starts.
Any candidate arriving more than 15 minutes late will not be permitted to take the exam.
Please note that electronic devices are prohibited within the examination center.
For tips on preparing for the NTSE, students can check the preparation advice available from Shiksha.
Significant Changes in NTSE Over the Years
The Origin
The initiative began in 1963 as the National Science Talent Search Scheme (NSTSS), aimed at supporting gifted students through scholarships. Candidates seeking National Talent Search Examination scholarships were chosen based on their performance in a written test, project report, and interview. The written assessment consisted of a Science Aptitude Test (SAT) and an essay focused solely on a scientific topic. Additionally, the project report had to be submitted during the written test. Scholarships were granted exclusively to those students intending to pursue higher education in Basic Sciences, from Class 11 through to the Doctoral level.
A comprehensive look at NTSE through the years:
Since its inception, the exam authority has implemented significant modifications to the NTSE examination format, subjects, grade levels, scholarship quantities, and amounts. Below, you can find the key changes that have been introduced in theNational Talent Search Examination scholarship program.
NTS Exam over the years
| Feature | Years | Changes made in NTSE |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Scholarships (In 1963, only 10 scholarships were awarded) | 1964 | 350 from 10 |
| 1976 | From 350 to 500 | |
| 1981 | From 500 to 550(out of which 50 scholarships were reserved for SC and ST categories) | |
| 1983 | From 550 to 750 inclusive of 70 scholarships reserved for SC and ST students only | |
| 2000 | From 750 to 1000 with reservation as under –15% for Scheduled Caste students7.5% for Scheduled Tribes students | |
| 2019 | From 1000 to 2000 with reservation as under –27% for Other Backward Class students15% for Scheduled Caste students7.5% for Scheduled Tribes students4% for Physically Disabled students | |
| 2020 | 2000 scholarships with reservation as under –27% for Other Backward Class students15% for Scheduled Caste students7.5% for Scheduled Tribes students4% for Physically Disabled students10% 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 Ph.D. degree – As per UGC norms | |
| Subjects Specialization/Stream of higher education | 1976 (after the introduction of 10+2+3 education pattern) | From Basic Sciences to Engineering, Social Sciences and Medicine streams |
| 2019 | The scholarship will be awarded to students pursuing higher education in Social Science and Science streams up to the doctoral level.The scholarship for professional courses in Medicine and Engineering will be 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 | The 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 back to Class 10th only.However, the centralized examination process of 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 own state level and then for Tier II for 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 for providing 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 introduced i.e. Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) in place of descriptive written test and Essay based on Science theme only Project Report submission was discontinued Only qualified students need 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 qualifying nature as the scores of LAT was not included in deciding the merit of students for NTSE scholarships. | |
| 2018 and onward | LAT paper removed from the selection procedure | |
| Exam Pattern | 1985 | A uniform exam pattern was designed for MAT and SAT for all states and UTs conducted Tier 1 exam of NTSE.The exam pattern of National Talent Search Examination Stage 1 exam now included –For MAT: 100 MCQs For SAT: 200 MCQs divided into 25 for each subject as under -Mathematics,Physics,Chemistry,Biology,History,Geography,Civics,Economics.However, candidates were provided with a choice of selecting any four of the eight sections and therefore, only need to answer 100 questions. |
| 1995 | The choice to select sections in 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 | Negative marking scheme introduced for the Stage II examination of National Talent Search Examination 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 | 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 MAT paper was increased as the LAT paper is removed.Earlier, MAT and LAT paper 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 discontinued.Books grants 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 Physical Challenged Category | |
| 2018 | The minimum qualifying marks for NTSE qualification have been revised as under –40% for General Category Candidates32% for SC/ST/PH candidates in both tests separately. | |
| 2019 | Reservation of 27% is introduced for OBC category candidates | |
| 2020 | Reservation of 10% added for EWS candidates | |
| Non-conduct of the exam | 2022 & 2024 | NTSE was not held from the year 2022 till 2024, marking the first such omission in its 60-year history |
NTSE – Contact Information
For NTSE stage I exam – Candidates can contact the State Council of Research and Technology (NCERT) or listed Liaison Officer of their respective State/UT.
For NTSE stage 2 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
