Tue Jan 28 19:05:04 IST 2025: ## National Talent Search Exam to be Revamped, Expanding Access and Addressing Bias

**New Delhi** – The Indian government is poised to relaunch the National Talent Search Examination (NTSE), a scholarship program for meritorious students, with significant changes aimed at broadening access and addressing past criticisms. The exam, discontinued in 2020, will be revamped and is expected to be introduced at two levels – for students in classes 9 and 10, and for students in classes 11 and 12 – unlike its previous single-level (Class 10) format.

This expansion is projected to increase the number of scholarships awarded annually from approximately 2,000 to over 12,000, representing a substantial increase in financial commitment. The previous iteration of the NTSE faced criticism for biased selection, favoring students from urban and private schools, and exhibiting a disparity between male and female awardees. The success rate was also low, with only 5 to 6 students per lakh enrolled receiving scholarships.

The government aims to remedy these shortcomings by implementing a more inclusive selection process. The revamp also aligns with a broader initiative by the Union education ministry to digitally saturate schools nationwide. This includes providing digital devices to students and AI-assisted teaching tools, initially targeting classes 9-12, followed by classes 6-8 in a subsequent phase. Teacher training in Artificial Intelligence will also be a key component of the initiative. The changes are expected to significantly improve the reach and effectiveness of the NTSE program.

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