The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) was
established by the Government of India in the year 1961 with a view to
bringing about qualitative improvement in school education in the
country. No sooner the Council was set up than it mounted a number of
programmes in this direction. One such programme was to identify and
nurture the talented students. This programme took up the shape of a
scheme called National Science Talent Search Scheme (NSTSS) in the year
1963 which provided for the identification of talented students and
awarding them with scholarships. During the first year of the
implementation of the scheme, it was confined to the Union Territory of
Delhi wherein only 10 scholarships were awarded to the Class XI
students.
In the year 1964 the scheme was extended to all the states and the union
territories in the country with 350 scholarships for the students of
Class XI. These scholarships were awarded on the basis of a written
examination, a project report and 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 these three components were then subjected to personal
interview. The performance of the candidates on these four components
was eventually employed for the purpose of awarding scholarships. These
scholarships were awarded for pursuing education only in basic sciences
up to doctoral level.
Consequent upon the introduction of 10+2+3 pattern of education, the
NSTS scheme also underwent a change in the year 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 (NTSS). Since the education system in the country 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 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 the
year 1981. These 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 the year 1983 with a
provision of 70 scholarships especially for SC/ST candidates. This
arrangement continued until the scheme was decentralised in the year
1985. In the year 2000, 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 per cent and 7½ per cent respectively.
Yet another change in the scheme was made in the year 2006 wherein the
NTS examination was held at the end of Class VIII. From the year 2008
examination, a provision of 3 per cent reservation has been made for
physically challenged students.
A discussion about this scheme took place in the 94th Meeting of
Executive Committee of the NCERT held on 25.11.2010 and was decided that
from 2012 the NTSE will again be held for class X students.
From the year 2012-13
NTSE will be conducted for Class X students
The examination will consist of Mental Ability Test(MAT) and Scholastic
Ability Test(SAT) Quota for State/UT will be computed proportionally on
the basis of students enrolment in Class IX and X. The amount of
scholarship will be Rs. 500/- per month for all the students studying in
Class XI onwards (irrespective of class/course) except for Ph.D.,
wherein it is paid as per UGC norms.
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
in this brochure.
For NTS National Level Examination Inquiry:
Phone No : 011-26560464 (Timings 2.30 PM to 4.30 PM only)
E-mail : ntse.ncert@yahoo.in
For State Level NTS Examination Enquiry : Contact the Liaison Officer of your State
For NTS Scholarship Inquiry:
Phone No : 011-26562704 (Timings 2.30 PM to 4.30 PM only)
E-mail : ntse2@yahoo.co.in
National Talent Search Examination 2012-13 - Application Form
Region wise List of Liaison officers 2012-13 - English
