NTSE 2026 — At a Glance
About NTSE 2026
NTSE (National Talent Search Examination) was NCERT’s national scholarship exam for Class 10 students, held in two stages with MAT and SAT papers. The scheme was approved till 31 March 2021 and has been stalled since; the last Stage 2 exam was held on 24 October 2021. No NTSE 2026 notification has been issued by NCERT.
NTSE 2026
NTSE status (checked 15 October 2026): NCERT has not conducted the National Talent Search Examination since the 2021 cycle. Its notice states that the National Talent Search Scheme was approved till 31 March 2021, and that further implementation of the scheme in its present form has not been approved and has been stalled till further orders. No NTSE 2026 notification has been issued. The details on this page come from NCERT's last official NTSE information brochure and are given for reference only.
Key Takeaways
NTSE is a national scholarship exam for Class X students, run by NCERT in two stages.
The scheme was approved till 31 March 2021; NCERT stalled further exams until new orders.
The last Stage 2 exam was held on 24 October 2021. No NTSE 2026 has been announced.
When it ran, up to 2,000 scholarships were awarded, from Class XI up to Ph.D.
NTSE — At a Glance
The National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) was India's best-known scholarship exam for Class X students. Conducted by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), it aimed to identify talented students and support them with monthly scholarships from Class XI right up to Ph.D. level.
Because the scheme is currently stalled, students preparing "for NTSE 2026" should know the real position: there is no active NTSE cycle at present. This page explains how NTSE worked, what its last official rules were, and where to check for any revival.
NTSE: Highlights
Particular | Details |
|---|---|
Full name | National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) |
Conducting body | National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) |
Current status | Stalled till further orders; no NTSE 2026 notification |
Last Stage 2 exam | 24 October 2021 |
Who could apply | Class X students in recognised schools |
Stages | Stage 1 by States/UTs; Stage 2 by NCERT |
Papers | Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), 100 marks each |
Scholarships | Up to 2,000; ₹1,250/month (Class XI–XII), ₹2,000/month (UG and PG), Ph.D. as per UGC norms |
Official website |
A Short History of NTSE
The programme began in 1963 as the National Science Talent Search Scheme, with 10 scholarships in Delhi, and was expanded nationally in 1964. It was renamed the National Talent Search Scheme in 1976, widening its scope beyond science. Over time the number of scholarships grew to 2,000 a year.
What Is the Current Status of NTSE?
NCERT's notice states that the National Talent Search Scheme was approved till 31 March 2021, and that further implementation in its present form has not been approved, so the scheme has been stalled till further orders. NCERT's NTSE page lists the 2021-22 examination as postponed.
In March 2025, a newspaper report quoted a Union Education Ministry official as saying the ministry was planning to relaunch NTSE in a more extensive form. No official notification, date or new pattern has been released. Eduspray will update this page as soon as NCERT or the Ministry of Education issues an official notice.
How NTSE Worked
NTSE followed a two-stage process. States and Union Territories conducted Stage 1 and recommended candidates within their quotas. NCERT then conducted Stage 2 at the national level and selected scholarship winners on the basis of combined MAT and SAT marks.
Explore NTSE in Detail
Pro Tip: While NTSE is on hold, keep building the same skills: reasoning, Class IX–X concepts and reading comprehension. They help in school exams and in other scholarship tests and Olympiads.
Official Website
For authentic NTSE information, refer only to official NCERT resources:
NCERT NTSE page: ncert.nic.in/national-talent-examination.php
NTSE information brochure (last published): Download PDF
NTS scholarship portal: ntse.ncert.gov.in
Exam helpline (as listed by NCERT): 011-26560464, ntsexam.ncert@gov.in
Students should not pay any fee or share personal details on unofficial websites claiming to conduct NTSE.
Need Help Choosing the Right Scholarship or Olympiad?
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