Information on National Talent Search Examination, 2015-16

Last date of submission of application form is extended upto 21st September, 2015

General Information:

With a view to identify the talented students and to nurture their talents, Government of India (GOI) has introduced National Talent Search Scheme (NTSS) in the year 1963. The NCERT conducts the National Talent Search Examination for students who are presently studying in class X.

It is a two-stage selection process. The first stage selection i.e. Stage-I State level NTS Examination is conducted by the state by way of a written examination. The date for the said examination for this year has been fixed on 8th November, 2015 (Sunday). The number of students as per State quota in order of Merit among the successful ones in the Stage-I Examination, will be eligible to appear at the Stage-II Examination (National Level). Stage-II NTS Examination will be conducted and held on 8th May, 2016 (Sunday) by the N.C.E.R.T.

Examination Patten for Stage-I Examination:

State level Examination will be conducted in three session on the same day as per details given below:-

1) Mental Ability Test (MAT)

2) Language Test (LT)

3) Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)

Language Test:

The Language Test is of qualifying nature and marks for Language Test will not be counted for deciding the final merit list of the students.

The candidate who will obtain the qualifying marks in the LT is eligible to be considered for preparation of the merit list, based on the marks obtained in SAT & MAT. Candidates will choose any one language out of 5 languages, i.e., English, Bengali, Hindi, Urdu and Nepali.

Syllabus:

Subject: There is no prescribed syllabus for NTS Examination. The standard of items shall conform to the level of classes IX & X.

Scholastic Aptitude Test: The test comprises the subjects given below:

1) Mathematics, 2) Physics, 3) Chemistry, 4) Biology, 5) History, 6) Geography, 7) Political science, and 8) Economics

All questions in the booklet for Stage-I examination are of multiple choice type. One mark will be awarded for the right answer for each question. There is no negative marking in the said State Level examination.

Qualifying Marks:

Qualifying marks for the candidates is 40% for General Category and 35% for candidates of Schedule Caste, Schedule Tribe and Physically disabled in each paper.

Eligibility Criteria:

All Students of class X, studying in recognised schools/Madrasah/Institution and Open Distance Learning Study Centre under West Bengal Council of Rabindra Open Schooling/ NIOS with 50% and above marks for unreserved category and 40% for SC/ST/PH candidates in previous annual exam or pre-10th standard examination [provided the student is below the age of 18 years [as on 1st July 2015), is not employed and will appear at 10th standard examination for the first time in case of ODL only] are eligible to appear at the stage-I NTS examination.

Scholarships:

On the basis of Stage-II NTS Examination 1000 Scholarships throughout India will be awarded up to Ph.D Level The amount of scholarship at present, is as follows:-

a) Scholarship of Rs. 1250/- per month for class XI-XII

b) Scholarship of Rs. 2000/- per month for undergraduate and post graduates.

c) Amount of Scholarship for Ph.D. to be fixed in accordance with the UGC norms.

State Quota:

State Quota for appearing Stage-II Examination is 276+ tie-up cases (with last cut off marks)

Fees:

Govt. Of West Bengal does not charge any fee for State level National Talent Search Examination.

Reservation:

15% Scholarships will be reserved for students belonging to the SC category, 7.5% Scholarships for the students belonging to the ST category and 3% for physically challenged group of students both for State level and National Level examination.

Application Form:

Application form will be available in the website of School Education Department (www.wbsed.gov.in) from 12/08/2015. The filled-in application form should be submitted to the concerned District Inspector of Schools (S.E) of the districts after duly signed, authenticated by the Head of the Institution/ Teacher-in-charge of the concerned school/ coordinator of the study centre or any authorised person in case of ODL along with the copy of the necessary certificates, like photocopy of the mark sheet of previous annual exam or pre-10th standard examination, copy of SC/ST/ Disability certificates bearing with the photograph of the students latest by 11th September, 2015.

Commissioner, School Education
West Bengal