NTSE 2020 Stages and Selection Process

NTSE (National Talent Search Examination) 2020 is a National Level Examination and one of the most prestigious examinations at the high school level in India. This exam has two stages. The Stage -1 of NTSE is conducted by the State or UT government and the Stage-2 is conducted by the NCERT on the behalf of the Central Government. This exam is for secondary school level to identify and recognize students with high intellect and skills and to provide the scholarship to the deserving students.

Every year around 1,200,000 to 1,400,000 students appear for the examination, while only approx 5000 students are selected for stage 2. Out of these 5000 students, only 2000 candidates are selected for the scholarship every year.

Latest Updates

• NTSE 2019 Bihar stage 1 result has been declared on June 12, 2020. Click here
• For More information, Click on the official website

NTSE stage and process: Highlights

• NTSE has 2 stages of the selection procedure
• Stage 1 is conducted by the individual State/UT government.
• Stage 2 is the national stage organized by NCERT.
• Each state conducts its own exam.
• There is no Interview in the NTSE Selection.
• Both Exams have the MAT and SAT section.
• The exam has centres in every State and Union Territory of the country.

Check NTSE 2020 Eligibility

NTSE Selection Procedure

The students who will qualify both Stage 1 and Stage 2 of NTSE 2020 will be awarded a scholarship of Rs.1250 every month for Class-XI to XII and Rs.2000 every month for Undergraduate and Post-graduate courses under some eligible conditions. The details of the selection process of NTSE scholarship:

• Students must fill up the application form of NTSE exam.
• They must then appear for Stage 1 of NTSE.
• After the declaration of the result of Stage 1, the qualified students will be allowed in Stage 2 of NTSE.
• After Stage 2 exam, the merit list will be released approx 4 months after the exam.
• This merit list is prepared on the basis of the scores of Stage 1 and Stage 2.
• 15% of the total scholarships are reserved for SC candidates, 3% for Physically Handicapped candidates and 7.5% for candidates belonging to ST category.

Stage 1: State Level Examination

Stage 1 of NTSE is the primary stage of the selection procedure. This stage is conducted by the respective States and Union Territories. Each State has exam centres for NTSE 2020.

• This exam is primarily to recommend a number of candidates for the 2nd level test, conducted by NCERT.
• The first stage of NTSE comprises two papers.
• Paper 1 is Mental Ability Test (MAT) containing 100 MCQs with a time duration of 120 Minutes.
• Paper 2 is the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) containing 100 MCQs and the time duration is 2 hours or 120 minutes.

For more details check NTSE Exam Pattern and Syllabus.

Important Facts of NTSE Stage 1

• The marks of the State level Examination are not added to the National Level Examination for the award of scholarship.
• No correspondence will be entertained by the NCERT with regard to Stage 1examination conducted by the State/UT.
• The candidate having any query/ complaint/ clarification with regard to the State Level Examination shall have to correspond only with the state examination agencies.

Check NTSE Pattern & Syllabus

NTSE 2020 Quota Allocated for States/Union Territory

While from various state and UTs of India, candidates are giving the state-1 exam, applied students must also know about the NTSE 2020 quota allocated for States and Union Territory. Here is a list where you can find the quota of your state or from the state you are presenting:

Check NTSE Practice Papers

Stage 2: National Level Examination

The 2nd Stage of NTSE exam is conducted by the National Council of Education Research and Training (NCERT) itself. Only the candidates who qualify in the first stage are allowed to sit in stage 2 of the examination. Qualified candidates from different state will be allotted with an exam centre of the same state or in the selected state. NTSE State II 2020 has been scheduled on May 10, 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic and national lockdown, the exam has been postponed with no further notification.

The second stage of NTSE also has 2 papers: Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Both papers have 100 MCQs and the allotted time is 120 minutes. The exam will be taken in the offline mode. The medium of examination will be as per the candidates choice between English or Hindi. Only the selected candidates shall be informed by registered letter and through NCERT website www.ncert.nic.in. Along with the individual results, NCERT also published cut off scores for NTSE Stage II exam.

NTSE 2020: Qualifying Marks:

NTSE 2020: Final Selection

• The final selection will be made depending on the NTSE 2020 merit list. This merit list will be issued by the NCERT.
• Shortly after the declaration of the result, NCERT will release the cutoff of NTSE 2020.
• The merit list will be final and no further correspondence regarding rechecking will be entertained.
• For maintaining transparency, the OMR sheets of qualified students are also released along with the result.
• Only, 2000 scholarships are given among the qualified students of NTSE 2020.

NTSE 2020: Eligibility of the Scholarship

The awardees will be sent an award letter, certificate of the NTSE scholarship and the details of the disbursement of scholarship in due time. The awardees studying in Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities, Languages, Commerce, vocational studies and fine arts will be eligible to receive a scholarship up to PhD level whereas the awardees studying professional courses in medicines, engineering, technology, management and law, will be eligible to receive the scholarship up to second-degree level.

The awardee will receive INR 1290/- per month for the Class XI and XII and then in Under-graduation and Post-graduation, the awardee will receive INR 2000/- per month. The NTSE 2020 scholarship will be disbursed and renews under the following rules:

• Candidates who get into the approved courses.
• The awardee must secure a minimum of 60% score in aggregate every year.
• Has good conduct (Certified by the Head of Institution/College and continue to study as a regular student)
• Is not absent without proper leave
• Takes up whole-time basis studies
• Does not take up any sort of paid jobs

Check Scholarship Criteria for NTSE

NTSE Scholarship 2020: Disbursement of Scholarship

• They have to submit a Claim Bill every year as long as they want the academic scholarship.
• This document will contain details about
  • Student’s school/ college,
  • Course they have opted for along with the various subjects and total marks secured in the particular year.
  • An acceptance undertaking
  • Character certificate to be filled by the school principal
  • Claim bill proforma for payment of scholarship asking details – bank account and advance receipt
  • Annual Progress Report
• Aspirants will receive the scholarship account by the online mode.
• They must score a minimum of 60% aggregate marks in order to be awarded the scholarship.
• If they fail to obtain the minimum marks then scholarship for that year will be forfeited.
• Aspirants will be rendered ineligible for scholarship payment if they fail to score the minimum aggregate for 2 consecutive or non-consecutive years.