Important Dates and Schedule
Full pageNTSE 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
No NTSE 2026 dates have been announced.
Stage 1 was usually held by States/UTs on the first Sunday of November.
Stage 2 was usually held by NCERT on the second Sunday of May.
The last Stage 2 exam took place on 24 October 2021.
NTSE 2026 Important Dates
NTSE dates are announced by NCERT (for Stage 2) and by individual States/UTs (for Stage 1). Since the scheme is stalled, there is no NTSE 2026 schedule. Any website showing confirmed "NTSE 2026 exam dates" is not quoting an official source.
Event | NTSE 2026 |
|---|---|
Official notification | Not issued |
Stage 1 application | Not announced |
Stage 1 exam | Not announced |
Stage 2 exam | Not announced |
Result | Not announced |
Usual NTSE Calendar (When the Scheme Was Running)
NCERT's last published brochure described the typical yearly schedule:
Stage | Usual timing | Conducted by |
|---|---|---|
Stage 1 applications | As advertised by each State/UT (usually a few months before the exam) | States/UTs |
Stage 1 exam | First Sunday of November (first Saturday in Nagaland, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Meghalaya and Mizoram) | States/UTs |
Stage 1 results | January/February | States/UTs |
Stage 2 e-admit card | About 21 days before the exam | NCERT |
Stage 2 exam | Second Sunday of May | NCERT |
Recent NTSE Timeline
31 March 2021: Approval period of the National Talent Search Scheme ended, as stated by NCERT.
24 October 2021: Last NTSE Stage 2 exam conducted by NCERT.
2021-22 cycle: Listed as postponed on NCERT's NTSE page; the scheme remains stalled till further orders.
Important Instructions for Students
Check the official NCERT NTSE page for any revival notice.
Watch for circulars from your school or State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT).
Do not register on unofficial portals that claim to conduct NTSE.
Pro Tip: Bookmark the official NCERT NTSE page and check it every few months. If NTSE returns, state application windows can be short.
Source: NCERT NTSE Information Brochure (latest published edition).
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?
Eduspray India helps students and parents find active scholarship exams, plan preparation and choose the right stream after Class 10. Explore scholarships, browse entrance exams or take the psychometric test.