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NTSE stalled since 2021, parliamentary panel calls it severe blow
The National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) has been stalled since 2021, and a parliamentary panel has called the suspension a 'severe blow' to the talent pipeline. The panel's June 16 report noted…
The Story in Brief
The National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) has been stalled since 2021, and a parliamentary panel has called the suspension a 'severe blow' to the talent pipeline. The panel's June 16 report noted that the scheme's absence undermines efforts to encourage students from disadvantaged communities to stay in school through to PhD level.
The education ministry submitted a draft memo for a revamped 'NTSE 2.0' for inter-ministerial consultations on 24 September 2025, but ET reports that financial approval is stuck over cost concerns. The exam previously selected about 2,000 Class 10 students annually from over 8-9 lakh candidates, offering monthly scholarships and mentoring up to postgraduate level. The panel has urged the government to explore restarting the scheme.
The Indian Opinion
Some will paint this as the government neglecting merit, others as unavoidable bureaucratic inertia. Neither is quite right. The NTSE has been on hold for five years despite multiple reviews, and the financial approval for its revamp has been stuck since September 2025. That hints at coordination failure, not lack of intent. The real test is simple: will the Cabinet clear the Expenditure Finance Committee memo before the next academic year?
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
