Paper Analysis
Marking Scheme and Qualifying Marks
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
1 mark per correct answer; no negative marking.
Qualifying marks: 40% (General/OBC) and 32% (SC/ST/PwD) in each paper.
Both papers had to be cleared separately.
NTSE Marking Scheme
NTSE used a simple marking scheme. Each correct answer earned one mark, and there was no penalty for wrong answers after NCERT removed negative marking in 2018.
Paper | Questions | Marks per question | Total | Negative marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
MAT | 100 | 1 | 100 | No |
SAT | 100 | 1 | 100 | No |
NTSE Qualifying Marks
Category | Minimum in MAT | Minimum in SAT |
|---|---|---|
General and OBC | 40% | 40% |
SC, ST and PwD | 32% | 32% |
Note: the eligibility and selection sections of NCERT’s brochure state 32% for SC, ST and PwD candidates, while its introduction mentions that this minimum was raised to 35% in 2015. Any revived scheme will confirm the current figure.
Candidates had to clear the qualifying marks in each paper. Clearing only one paper was not enough to enter the merit list.
Qualifying Marks vs Cutoff
Qualifying marks were only the minimum. Actual selection depended on state quotas in Stage 1 and the national merit list in Stage 2. See NTSE Cutoff.
Pro Tip: Because there is no negative marking, never leave a question blank. Use elimination to make your best guess.
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.
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