The Brochure
The Brochure
The Brochure
Information Brochure
(2019)
1. Historical Background 3
2. Present Scheme 6
3. Selection Procedure 6
5. Nurturance Programme 21
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National Talent Search Scheme
1. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
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 eventuall y employed for the purpose of awarding
scholarship. These scholarships were awarded for pursuing education only in basic science 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 candidate 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.
An experience of over two decades of the scheme brought it to the forefront that a large number
of scholarships were restricted to certain pockets of the country and many areas remained
unrepresentative. In the light of this, the scheme was recast in 1985.
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The scheme, which until now was completely centralized, was partially decentralized 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 were entrusted with the
responsibility of conducting the first tier screening examination known as State Level Talent
Search Examination. Each State and Union Territory was to select and recommend a stipulated
number (as per state quota) of candidates for the national level examination to be conducted for
about 3000 candidates by the NCERT. The number of scholarships, however still continued to be
750 including 70 for SC/ST candidates.
The state and the union territory quota was to be computed proportionately on the basis of
the student enrolment at secondary level with a minimum of 10 for a union territory and 25 for a
state and a maximum of 500 for either of the two. This quota was to be reviewed every three
years.
The states and union territories had 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 200 questions containing 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 interview. The award of scholarships was finally determined on the basis
of the candidates’ scores obtained in all the 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.
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 brought in 2006. The scheme was modified by shifting the
scheme from Class X to Class VIII. The National Talent Search Examination held at the end of Class
VIII from the year 2007 onwards. However, the NCERT conducted two more examinations for
Class X students in the selection year 2007 and 2008 in order to give on opportunity to those
who were presently in Classes X and IX. The class VIII MAT and SAT consisted of 90 questions
each. SAT had 35 questions for Social Science, 35 for science and 20 for Mathematics. Quota for a
state was computed proportionally on the basis of student enrolment in Classes VII and VIII. The
amount of Scholarship has been enhanced to Rs 500/- per month for all the students studying in Class
IX onwards (irrespective of the class/course) except for Ph.D., wherein it was paid as per UGC norms.
The criterion of parental income for deciding payment of scholarship was discontinued. Book grant
was also discontinued.
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From the year 2008, examination, a provision of 3 per cent reservation for Physically
Challenged (PC) Students has been made. Once again in 2013 NTS Exam was shifted to class X
and Language Test (English/Hindi) was included as an additional component along with Mental
Ability Test and Scholastic Test. Language Test was qualifying in nature and the scores of
language test were not included in deciding final merit. In the year 2014 negative marking was
introduced for the first time at the stage II national level examination, wherein 1/3 marks were
deducted for every wrong answer and no marks were deducted for unattempted questions.
In the year 2014-15 the rates of scholarships were increased from Rs. 500 to the following
rates for various stages of education.
a) Scholarship of Rs. 1250/- per months for class XI and XII.
b) Scholarship of Rs. 2000/- per month for UG and PG.
c) Scholarship for students pursuing Ph.D in accordance with UGC norms.
In 2015 minimum qualifying marks for SC/ST/PH candidates were increased from 32% to
35%. In 2017 4% reservation to Physical Challenged Category was implemented for
group of students, with benchmark disabilities of which, one per cent each shall be
reserved for persons with benchmark disabilities under clauses (a), (b) and (c) and one per
cent for persons with benchmark disabilities under clauses (d) and (e) namely:
In the year 2018 negative marking was abolished, there was increase in time duration of test and
increase the number of question in MAT and there was change in reporting time for students at the
examination hall from 8 am to 9 am on the day of examination. In the same year initiative for
downloading E-Admit Cards from NCERT website was implemented.
From the year 2018-19 reservation to Other Backward Class (OBC) will be implemented in the NTS
scheme. Besides, There will be reservations for OBCs @27% from the year 2019 as per
central norms subject to the income limit notified by the Government of India from time to time
for determination of the creamy layer for the purpose of OBC Reservation vide its letter No. 15-
19/2014.Sch-4 dated November 2, 2017.
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2. PRESENT SCHEME
The scholarship under the present scheme awarded to the candidates for pursuing courses in
science and social science 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. As on date 1000 scholarships are awarded in the country with reservation of 15 percent for
SC, 7.5 percent for ST and 27 percent for other backward classes and 4 percent for group of students
with benchmark disabilities.
3. SELECTION PROCEDURE
Identification of talent comprises two-stage selection process. While the individual State/UT
conducts the first stage selection, the second stage selection at the national level is carried out by
the NCERT.
Each State/UT conducts its own examination. They have the autonomy to lay down their own
norms for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the candidates. This examination is primarily
used to recommend a given number of candidates for the second level test to be conducted by
the NCERT. This number is based on the enrolment of students at Classes IX and X in different
States/UTs. The candidates are to be recommended on the basis of the merit in the written examination
conducted by the States/UTs. The details of the number of candidates for different States/UTs as
applicable are notified separately.
The state level screening examination is conducted in all State/UT’s on first Sunday of
November except in Nagaland, Andaman and Nicobar Island, Meghalaya and Mizoram where it will
be conducted on first Saturday of November every year until and unless some special
circumstances occur.
The addresses of the Liaison Officers of each State/UT are given in Appendix with whom
information about state level examination may be sought.
3.1.1 Eligibility
All students studying in Class X in any type of recognized school including Kendriya
Vidyalaya, Navodaya Vidyalaya, and Sainik School etc. will be eligible to appear at the State
Level Examination from the State in which the school is located. However, no domicile
restriction shall be imposed. The state may impose any other eligibility condition for appearing in
the screening examination like any qualifying percentage of marks in the previous annual
examination etc. Students registered under Open and Distance Learning (ODL) are also eligible for
scholarship provided the students are below the age of 18 years (as on 1st July of that particular
year) the students is not employed and they are appearing in class X for the first time.
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3.1.2 How to apply
The students studying in Class X in the country ought to be on the lookout for any
advertisement in the newspapers or circulars in the school by the respective Government of their
State/UT for the above said examination and act as per the requirement given in the State
advertisement/circular. Any other information/query about the details of the state level examination
may be had from Liaison Officers of the State/UT agencies, the addresses of which are given in the
Appendix.
The filled in application by the student be submitted to the State Liaison Officer duly
signed by the Principal of the school before the due date as advertised/circulated by each
concerned State/UT.
3.1.4 Fee
State may impose any fee for examination and/or for application form.
3.1.5 Examination
State level examination may have two parts: Part-I Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Part-
II Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) for nominating the required number of candidates for the second
level test to be conducted by the NCERT.
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The scheme of testing is given below—
Examination Paper Test Timings
Number Number Time Qualifying Selection Criteria
Date of of Duration
Questions Marks
1st Sunday of Paper-I Mental 09.30 am to 100 100 120 32% SC, • Only candidates
November Ability 11.30 am Minutes ST and qualifying in
Test (All PWD and both the papers
(In all the (MAT) candidates 40% for separately will
States/UTs of except Others be considered
the country visually (General& for merit
except Challenged OBC) • Selection of the
Nagaland, Candidates) awardees will be
Mizoram, 09.30 am to made on the
Meghalaya 12.00 noon basis of total
and Andaman (Only Marks scored in
& Nicobar visually MAT & SAT
exam where Challenged based on merit
will be held Candidat es) • There will be
on 1 st Paper- Scholastic 13.30 pm 100 100 120
No Negative
Saturday II Aptitude to Minutes
Marking
November Test 15.30 pm (Science-
month every (SAT) (All 40,
year) candidates Mathemati
except cs-20,
visually Social
Challenged Science-
Candidates) 40)
13.30 pm
to
16.00 pm
(Only
visually
Challenged
Candidates)
* If there is any change in patern for Stage-II examination then the same will be communicated later on through
NCERT website www.ncert.nic.in. Candidates are advised to keep track of updates on NCERT website.
3.1.6 Results
The State/Union Territory will prepare a merit list of the candidates ensuring the minimum
qualifying marks in both the tests separately. These marks are 40 per cent in the case of General and
OBC category candidates and 32 per cent in the case of SC/ST/physically challenged candidates.
The result of State Level Talent Search examination is declared in months of January/
February by the States/UTs themselves. This examination is used only to recommend the candidates
for second level NTS examination conducted by the NCERT. The marks of the State level
Examination are not added to the National Level Examination for award of scholarship. No
correspondence will be entertained by the NCERT with regard to first level examination conducted
by the State/UT. The candidate having any query/complaint/clarification with regard to the State
Level Examination shall have to correspond only with the state examination agencies.
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3.2 NATIONAL LEVEL EXAMINATION
There is no fee of any kind for appearing in the National Level Examination.
3.2.1 Eligibility
The National Talent Search Examination is open for students of Indian nationality whether
they study in India or abroad at Class X level.
i. The Indian students studying abroad in Class X or equivalent class shall be exempted from
the first level-screening test and shall be permitted to appear directly at the second level
examination conducted by the NCERT.
ii. A candidate shall be eligible to appear in the second level NTS examination only if he
or she has obtained at least 60 per cent marks (in aggregate) at the previous annual
examination.
iii. A candidate will have to appear in the NTS examination at a centre in India at her/his
own cost.
iv. A candidate desiring to appear in the NTS examination may request through the Head
of the Institution where he or she is studying along with an attested copy (by the Head
of the Institution) of the mark sheet of Class IX. The request should reach the Head,
Department of Educational Survey Division, NCERT, New Delhi-110016 latest by 31st
December of the concerned year.
v. The Council shall allot roll numbers to the eligible candidates and inform them about
the date, time and the venue of examination along with other relevant instructions.
vi. No request for change of Centre shall be entertained.
vii. If a candidate is selected, the scholarship shall be paid for pursuing studies in India
only.
viii. Change of center will be permitted in genuine cases and as per instructions issued from
NCERT.
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3.2.2 Syllabus
There is no prescribed syllabus for the NTS examination. However, the standard of items shall
be conforming to the level of Classes IX and X. A separate booklet called ‘Learn about the Test’
containing sample items for both the Tests- MAT and SAT is available in print as well as on the
NCERT website www.ncert.nic.in.
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3.2.4 Written Examination
The written examination shall consist of two paper; Paper-I Mental Ability Test (MAT)
and Paper-II Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Both the tests will be administered on the same day
Important Note: Students are allowed to take away question booklets of both the tests (Mental
Ability Test and Scholastic Aptitude Test) after the examination.
3.2.7 Medium
The tests will be available in the following languages: Asamiya, Bangla, English,
Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Malayalam, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. The
candidate has to mention his option regarding the language in which he/she want to take the test
in the application form. Accordingly, the question booklet in that language shall be made
available to the candidate at the centre. After exercising this option, no request for the change of
medium will be entertained.
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3.2.9 Venue, Date and Time of the Test
The admission letter shall have all the information about the venue, the roll number, the
date and time of the test. Candidates can download their E-Admit cards themselves before 21
days of examination.
3.2.17 Rechecking
Since the NCERT applies rigorous checks and counterchecks before the declaration of
result, no request for re-evaluation or rechecking of scripts will be entertained. Candidates will be
provided facility to have access to their scanned OMR sheets which will be placed on NCERT
website along with final scoring key so that they can calculate their own score.
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3.3 QUOTA ALLOTTED FOR STATES/UTs (2017-2018, 2018-2019 & 2019-2020)
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4. RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR DISBURSEMENT OF
SCHOLARSHIP
ii. (a) If an awardee is getting scholarship from other sources on regular basis, then he has to
choose only one of the scholarship. In such cases the NTS scholarship will be
temporarily discontinued for that year/period. His/her scholarship will be once again
resumed if he/she approaches once again to NCERT for seeking NTS scholarship
after fulfilling other conditions. All the students must also give an undertaking each
year that they are not receiving scholarship or award from any other institutions.
Further no student who is employed is eligible for payment of scholarship and
accordingly, every student has to provide a certificate that he or she is not employed.
(b) Fee waiver/one time grant/subsidy in fee and residential accommodation will not make
a student ineligible for scholarship.
iii. No scholarship shall be available for studies abroad for any course.
iv. An awardee can submit his claim bills any time during the course of study. However, the
claim bills are to be submitted for each class/year separately.
v. In case any awardee leaves her/his course of study within one month of registration/
admission, no scholarship shall be paid to him/her.
vi. In case awardee is not able to appear at the examination due to serious illness, one should
send the medical certificate through the Head of the Institution within three months of
his/her falling ill. The duration of illness should be clearly certified by a specialist, who is a
Registered Medical Practitioner. The facility will be available to the awardee to continue
the same course in which one is studying provided the principal or the head of the
institution certifies that the overall performance of the awardee during the year is 60 per cent
or above.
vii. The NTS awardee is allowed one shift in the course of study till one month after the end of
the first year of undergraduate courses, within the same institution or in another
institution. However, she/he will not be awarded scholarship for the first year of the new
course. Thus, in this case she/he will have to lose the scholarship for one year. It would
resume in the next year provided all the requirements are met.
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viii. Scholarship shall be deemed to be discontinued with any gap of one academic session in
studies at any time due to any reason.
ix. Scholarship once discontinued on the basis of the rules of disbursement of scholarship
cannot be revived under any circumstances.
x. Awardees have to secure an aggregate of 60% marks or equivalent grade in order to be
eligible for scholarship every year. If a student secured less than 60% in a year the
scholarship is forfeited for that year. If a student fails to secure minimum 60% or equivalent
grade for two consecutive or non-consecutive years. He or she will be ineligible for
payment of scholarship and will be discontinued forever.
xi. For seeking scholarship the awardee has to pass in all subject (core subject) in first attempt.
If an awardee fails in any core subject, his/her NTS scholarship will be discontinued
forever.
xii. All rules are subject to change from time to time, as and when required, which will be
binding on all awardees.
i. The award of scholarship to the selected candidates shall commence subsequent to their
clear promotion to Class XI.
ii. The scholarship at the higher secondary stage or equivalent Classes XI to XII is payable
for a maximum period of two years for studies in India only.
iii. Student pursuing diploma or certificate courses will be provided scholarship, at this stage
provided if they are not employed.
iv. Awardees have to secure an aggregate of 60% marks or equivalent grade in order to be
eligible for scholarship every year. If a student secured less than 60% in a year the
scholarship is forfeited for that year. If a student fails to secure minimum 60% or
equivalent grade for two consecutive or non-consecutive years. He or she will be ineligible
for payment of scholarship and will be discontinued forever.
v. In case an institution does not conduct an examination at the end of Class XI, the
scholarship for the second year will be continued on the submission of a certificate to
this effect from the Head of the Institution.
vi. In case the performance is reported in grades, then equivalent to 60% aggregate will be
taken into account.
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4.5 ELIGIBILITY AND OTHER CONDITIONS AT M.PHIL./PH.D STAGE
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4.6 CONTINGENCY GRANT FOR PH.D. WORK
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4.8 MODE OF PAYMENT
The payment of scholarship shall be made direct to the awardees. The scholarship amount will be
either directly transferred to their joint account through e-banking or will be sent through bank
draft wherever above mentioned e-banking facilities are not available.
i. The payment of scholarship shall be made to the awardees on the receipt of the claim bill
on a prescribed Performa sent to the NCERT duly signed by the Principal/ Head of the
Institution and accompanied by the mark sheet of the previous annual examination.
ii. The Payment of scholarship to the awardees will be made for a maximum period of 12
months in a one academic session subject to the condition for the maximum period of
duration of the specific course.
iii. The bank will transfer the amount of scholarship to the awardees on annually basis.
NCERT will pay the scholarship from July to June (for manually) and from April to March
(for online) for a particular academic session.
iv. The payment of scholarship during leave shall be governed by relevant leave rules.
i. Leave must be got sanctioned from the Head of the Institution/ Department before it is
availed of. Any absence from studies/research without leave shall lead to discontinuation
of scholarship.
ii. Generally no leave with scholarship shall be granted to awardees except on medical
grounds.
iii. Medical leave up to a maximum of four months in an academic year shall be admissible, if
recommended by a competent medical authority, as under:
a. Full scholarship if the absence does not exceed two months;
b. Half scholarship for a further period of two months;
c. No scholarship for the absence beyond four months.
iv. For married men/women, scholarship will be admissible at full rates up to 15/135 days
respectively, for absence on grounds of maternity.
v. The awardees working at the Ph.D. level shall, however, be allowed casual leave with
scholarship up to a maximum of 30 days in an academic year. The Ph.D. Supervisor will
grant this leave.
vi. Applications for medical leave, including maternity leave, should be referred to the
NCERT within a fortnight of the illness/confinements.
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5. NURTURANCE PROGRAMME
The Council may arrange Nurturance Programme for the benefit of the awardees at
various institutions of higher learning in the country. The awardees shall have to attend these
nurturance Programme in their Own Interest.
Note: For additional information, the candidates may contact at the following address:
Prof. Indrani Bhaduri
Head, Educational Survey Division,
NCERT, Sri Aurobindo Marg, New delhi-110016
Mobile No: +91 9718106995
Email ID: esdhead@gmail.com, indranibhaduri@gmail.com
NCERT Website: www.ncert.nic.in
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