Eduspray
Eduspray Chatbot
HomeExamsNTSE 2026Selection and Award Process
NTSE 2026
Entrance Exam

NTSE 2026

National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)

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.

NTSENTSE 2026NTSE StatusNational Talent Search ExamNCERT ScholarshipNTSE Exam PatternNTSE SyllabusNTSE Scholarship

Last updated: 16 Oct 2026

HomeExamsNTSE 2026Selection and Award Process

Selection and Award Process

Updated 15 Oct 20263 topics

Jump to

State Quota and Stage 1 SelectionStage 2 Merit and Final SelectionScholarship Disbursement

State Quota and Stage 1 Selection

Full page

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

  • Each State/UT had a fixed quota of candidates for Stage 2.

  • Quotas were based on Class IX–X enrolment and revised every three years.

  • In 2018-19 and 2019-20, the total quota was 8,387 candidates.

  • Only candidates clearing the qualifying marks in both papers entered the state merit list.

NTSE State Quota and Stage 1 Selection

Stage 1 was the screening round. Each State/UT conducted its own exam and recommended a fixed number of candidates for the national-level Stage 2 exam. That number is called the State/UT quota.

How State Quotas Were Fixed

According to NCERT's brochure, the quota for each State/UT was based on student enrolment in Classes IX and X and was revised every three years. For 2018-19 and 2019-20, the total quota across India was 8,387 candidates, ranging from 20 (Andaman and Nicobar Islands) to 1,408 (Uttar Pradesh).

Stage 1 Selection Process

  1. The State/UT conducts the Stage 1 MAT and SAT papers.

  2. Candidates who clear the qualifying marks in both papers become eligible.

  3. The State/UT prepares a merit list within its quota, applying reservation rules.

  4. Selected candidates are recommended to NCERT for Stage 2.

Stage 1 Pattern

States/UTs set their own Stage 1 papers, generally following the MAT and SAT format. See Stage 1 and Stage 2 Pattern.

Important Points

  • Your competition in Stage 1 is mainly within your own State/UT.

  • Clearing the qualifying marks alone does not guarantee a place; you must also fall within the quota.

Pro Tip: Practise previous Stage 1 papers from your own State/UT where available, as state papers can differ in style.

Source: NCERT NTSE Information Brochure (latest published edition).

Official Website

For authentic NTSE information, refer only to official NCERT resources:

Students should not pay any fee or share personal details on unofficial websites claiming to conduct NTSE.

Eduspray guidance for school students and scholarship exams

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.

NTSE State QuotaNTSE Stage 1 Selection

Stage 2 Merit and Final Selection

Full page
Stage 2 Merit and Final Selection

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

  • Stage 2 was conducted by NCERT at the national level.

  • Final awards were based only on combined Stage 2 MAT and SAT marks.

  • Reservation: SC 15%, ST 7.5%, OBC 27% and PwD 4%.

NTSE Stage 2 Merit and Final Selection

Stage 2 was the decisive round. NCERT conducted the exam and prepared the national merit list from the combined marks of the MAT and SAT papers. Stage 1 marks were not counted at this stage.

Selection Rules (Last Published Brochure)

Rule

Details

Papers

MAT (100 marks) and SAT (100 marks)

Qualifying marks

40% in each paper for General/OBC; 32% for SC/ST/PwD

Merit

Combined MAT + SAT marks of Stage 2

Number of awards

Up to 2,000 scholarships

NTSE scholarship reservation: SC 15, ST 7.5, OBC 27 and PwD 4 percent

Reservation in NTSE Scholarships

  • Scheduled Castes: 15%

  • Scheduled Tribes: 7.5%

  • Other Backward Classes: 27% (non-creamy layer)

  • Persons with benchmark disabilities: 4%

Document Verification

NCERT asked qualified candidates to submit category and disability certificates for verification before awarding reserved scholarships.

Pro Tip: Because Stage 2 merit is national, aim to do well in both papers. A strong MAT score can balance a weaker subject in SAT.

Source: NCERT NTSE Information Brochure (latest published edition).

Official Website

For authentic NTSE information, refer only to official NCERT resources:

Students should not pay any fee or share personal details on unofficial websites claiming to conduct NTSE.

Eduspray guidance for school students and scholarship exams

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.

NTSE Stage 2NTSE Merit ListNTSE Reservation

Scholarship Disbursement

Full page

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

  • Scholarships were paid directly to awardees.

  • Payment was by e-banking to a joint account, or by bank draft where e-banking was unavailable.

  • Claims needed a prescribed claim bill signed by the Head of Institution, with the previous year's mark sheet.

NTSE Scholarship Disbursement

Once a student was selected, NCERT paid the scholarship directly to the awardee. Payments continued each year as long as the scholarship conditions were met and the required documents were submitted.

How Scholarship Payments Were Claimed

  1. Fill in the prescribed claim bill (NTSE claim form).

  2. Get it signed by the Principal or Head of the Institution.

  3. Attach the previous annual exam mark sheet.

  4. Submit it to NCERT as instructed.

Mode of Payment

Mode

When used

E-banking to a joint account

Standard mode

Bank draft

Where e-banking was not available

Existing Awardees

NCERT continues to list scholarship notices, the claim bill form and an NTS scholarship portal on its official page for existing awardees. Students should follow only these official instructions.

Pro Tip: Keep scanned copies of every mark sheet and claim bill. Delays in documents can delay payments.

Source: NCERT NTSE Information Brochure (latest published edition).

Official Website

For authentic NTSE information, refer only to official NCERT resources:

Students should not pay any fee or share personal details on unofficial websites claiming to conduct NTSE.

Eduspray guidance for school students and scholarship exams

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.

NTSE Scholarship PaymentNTSE Claim Form

Explore more in NTSE 2026

OverviewCutoffPreparationPaper AnalysisImportant DatesEligibility CriteriaApplication Process and FeesScholarship BenefitsAdmit Card, Answer Key and ResultsLatest NewsFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)