Paper Analysis
Stage 1 and Stage 2 Pattern
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
Both stages used the MAT and SAT format.
States/UTs set the Stage 1 papers; NCERT set Stage 2.
Final merit used Stage 2 marks only.
NTSE Stage 1 and Stage 2 Pattern
NTSE was a two-level exam. Stage 1 screened students within each State/UT, and Stage 2 selected national scholarship winners.
Stage 1 vs Stage 2
Feature | Stage 1 | Stage 2 |
|---|---|---|
Conducted by | State/UT | NCERT |
Usual date | First Sunday of November | Second Sunday of May |
Papers | MAT and SAT (as set by the State/UT) | MAT (100) and SAT (100) |
Fee | As set by the State/UT | No fee |
Medium | As decided by the State/UT | 13 languages, including English and Hindi |
Result | State merit list within quota | National merit list for scholarships |
Who Could Skip Stage 1?
Class X students studying abroad, with at least 60% in the previous annual exam, were exempt from Stage 1 and appeared directly in Stage 2.
Read more: State Quota and Stage 1 Selection.
Pro Tip: Stage 1 papers can vary between states. Practise your own State/UT's previous papers for Stage 1, and NCERT papers for Stage 2.
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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