What: National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) invites applications for National Talent Search Examination.

For the selection year 2009, the NCERT will conduct the National Talent Search Examination for students studying in Class VIII only.

Eligibility

Students of Class VIII studying in recognised 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.

Examination

The pattern of written examination for Class VIII will be as follows:

Stage I examination at the State/ UT level will comprise two parts, namely (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, (c) Interview. Only those candidates who qualify the written examination at the National Level will be invited for interview.

State quotas

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. However, there will be no State/ Union Territory Quota for the final award of scholarship after the Stage II examination. Reservation for SC, ST and Physically challenged will be as notified in para 2 above.

Application forms

Application forms can be downloaded from NCERT Web site. All correspondence relating to Application Forms should be addressed to the State Liaison Officers (LOs) whose addresses are given at the Website.

The completed application form duly signed by the Principal of the school should be submitted to the LO before the last date.

Important dates

Stage I (State)

Last date for submission of application form: 30 August 2008 (Saturday)

Examination in Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Andaman and Nicobar Islands: 15 November 2008 (Saturday)

Examination in all other States and Union Territories: 16 November 2008 (Sunday)

Stage II (National)

Examination in all States and Union Territories: 10 May 2009 (Sunday)

For the addresses and phone numbers of Liaison Officers of States and UTs, visit the NCRT Web site.