National Talent Search Examination 2013, Last date: 31 Aug

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.

Institute: National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)

Scholarship: National Talent Search Examination- 2013

Eligibility: Students of Class X studying in recognized schools are eligible to appear for the respective Class X Stage I examination conducted by the States/UTs in which the schools are located. There will be no domicile restriction.

How to apply:

Click here to download the application form
Students may also  contact the State/UT Liaison officer for procuring application form.

Note:
The completed application form should be signed by Principal of the school. The candidate/Principal of the school must confirm the last date for submission of Application Form and where to submit it from the State/ UT liaison officer.

Click here for the List of Liaison Officers for Class X NTS Examination 2012- 2013

Selection process: There will be two-stage selection process for award of scholarship. For Stage-I, selection will be done at the States/UT level through a written examination. Students who qualify Stage I will be eligible to appear for Stage II examination at the national level conducted by NCERT.

Scholarships: On the basis of the examination conducted, 1000 scholarships will be awarded for each group of students appearing for Class X examinations. The amount of scholarship will be Rs.500/- per month as per NTS rules.

Note: The States/ UTs will also conduct the selection test for National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme along with the Stage-I written examination for NTS.

Important Dates:

Application deadline: August 31, 2012

Stage I:
Exam in Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Andaman and Nicobar Islands: November 17, 2012
Exam in All other States and Union Territories: November 18, 2012

Stage II (National): Examination in All States and Union Territories: May 12, 2013

Click here to view details

Address:
NCERT
National Talent Search Examination
National Council of Educational Research and Training
Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi – 110016

Phone: (011) 26560464 (Timings 2.30 PM to 4.30 PM only)  For NTS National Level Examination Inquiry only
Phone: (011) 26562704 (Timings 2.30 PM to 4.30 PM only) For NTS Scholarship Inquiry

Email: ntse.ncert@yahoo.in

Website: www.ncert.nic.in