NTSE 2010: Apply by August 31

National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi-110016, has invited applications for the National Talent Search Examination 2010, for students studying in Class VIII only.

National Talent Search Scheme is a flagship activity of the NCERT to identify talented students, nurture their talent in areas like Sciences, Social Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, Management and Law, by providing financial assistance in the form of a monthly scholarship. For the courses in Basic Sciences, Social Sciences and Commerce, assistance is provided up to Ph.D. level while for professional courses like Engineering, Medicine, Management and Law it is given only up to Post Graduation.

From the selection year 2010, NCERT will conduct the National Talent Search Examination for students studying in Class VIII only.

On the basis of NTSE, 1000 scholarships @ Rs.500/- per month will be awarded for each group of students appearing for Class VIII examinations. 15% scholarships will be reserved for students belonging to the SC category, 7.5% scholarships for students belonging to the ST category and 3% for Physically Challenged Group of Students each in respect of the class VIII.

Selection process is two-stage. For Stage-I, selection will be done by States/UTs through a written examination. Students who qualify in Stage I will be eligible to appear for Stage II examination to be conducted by NCERT. The States/UTs will also conduct the selection test for National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme along with the Stage-I written examination for NTS.

Students of Class VIII studying in recognized schools are eligible to appear for the respective Class VIII Stage I examination conducted by the States/UTs in which the schools are located. There will be no domicile restriction.

Stage I examination at the State/UT level will comprise two parts -(a) Mental Ability Test (MAT) and (b) Scholastic Ability Test (SAT) covering Social Sciences, Sciences and Mathematics.

Stage II examination at the National level will comprise (a) Mental Ability Test (MAT), (b) Scholastic Ability Test (SAT) covering Social Sciences, Sciences and Mathematics and (c) Interview. Only those candidates who qualify the written examination at the National Level will be invited for interview.

Applications for State I Examination can be had from the identified Liaison officer of the State/UT. The list of officers is available at http://www.ncert.nic.in/html/talent.htm

All correspondence relating to application forms should be addressed to the State Liaison Officers (LOs).

Applications can also be downloaded from http://www.ncert.nic.in

States and Union Territories may notify the fee required which will be paid for the Stage-I examination. No fee is charged by NCERT for the Stage-II examination.

Completed application form duly signed by Principal of the school should be submitted to the LO/ concerned district official of the State before the last date.

For Stage I (State) the last date for submission of Application is 31st August, 2009.

Examination in Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Andaman and Nicobar Islands will be held on 7th November, 2009 (Saturday). Examination in all other States and Union Territories will be on 8th November, 2009 (Sunday).

Stage II (National) Examination in all States and Union Territories will be on 9th May, 2010 (Sunday).

Each State/Union Territory has been allotted a quota to recommend a specific number of candidates for the Stage II examination, the details of which will be made available on NCERT website. There will be no State/Union Territory Quota for the final award of scholarship after the Stage II examination.

Results of the Stage-I examination will be announced by the respective State Governments/ Union Territories. Results of Stage-II examination will be announced by NCERT.

Indian students studying abroad can appear directly for Stage II NTS Examination under conditions prescribed in the NTS Brochure for class VIII which is available on the NCERT website. They may fill up relevant items of the Application Form available on the NCERT website and submit it to Head, Department of Educational Measurement & Evaluation National Council of Educational Research & Training, Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi-110016 along with a photocopy of the mark sheet of previous examination to reach there latest by March 15, 2010.