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NSTSE
National Level Science Talent Search Examination
Unified Council's diagnostic talent test for Class 2–12. Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and General Reasoning — application-heavy, not memorization-based.
Updated 10 Sept 2026 ·Vacancy counts change every cycle — always confirm the exact number in the latest official notification before applying.
Sourced
Source: official exam authority notification · refreshed weekly. How this works →
Free NSTSE preparation on Shishya
Take expert-curated mocks, practise previous year papers, and Ask Shishya when you're stuck — verified by students who cleared the same path. All free, no credit card. Sign in with Google to begin.
✦ Try a NSTSE question — free, no signup
Real NumbersThe decimal expansion of 22/7 is:
Tap an option to check your answer.
Start with a diagnostic
10 questions across the syllabus to see where you stand.
One email when the official result is out, nothing else.
🧩 Build your own mock — pick exact topics → · every mock readable in हिंदी + 12 languages inside the test
NSTSE — Frequently asked questions
Is Shishya free for NSTSE preparation?
How many NSTSE practice questions does Shishya have?
Are NSTSE previous year question papers available?
How long is the NSTSE exam?
Previous year papers
100 questions across all yearsSome years hold a set of questions from that paper, not the full paper — each card shows how many.
2025
20 of 100 questions
Practise these →2024
20 of 100 questions
Practise these →2023
20 of 100 questions
Practise these →2022
20 of 100 questions
Practise these →2021
20 of 100 questions
Practise these →
Mock tests
All my attempts →Take any mock in your preferred language — use the language picker inside the mock to switch (Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Bengali, and 15 more).
NSTSE — Quick Practice
FULL20 questions · 90 min
Start mock →NSTSE — Full-Length Mock (Real Pattern: 100Q · 90 min)
FULL100 questions · 90 min
Start mock →
Practice by subject & topic
Full-length subject tests below — 25 questions each, real exam format, instant scoring. Want to drill a single topic? Every topic has its own 10-question test in the syllabus.
Mathematics
53 QsPhysics
23 QsChemistry
17 QsBiology
15 QsGeneral Questions and Reasoning
12 Qs
🎯 Build my own mock
Tell Shishya exactly what to test you on — topics, size, difficulty — and get a fresh mock in seconds. Leave the box blank and we'll target your weakest topics.
Your rank
vs everyone who has taken this examTake a mock to see where you stand on the leaderboard.
Students
1
Mocks taken
1
Average score
100%
Top score
100%
What can I get from NSTSE?
Mock-score → expected rank → likely outcome. Use the mocks below to find your current band, then plan how many marks you need to climb.
All-India top 10-50 achievers
97–100% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
- •Top national rank holder — major prizes (laptops, ₹50000+ cash awards)
- •Invited to NSTSE felicitation ceremonies and award functions
- •National media recognition and certificate of outstanding achievement
- •Exceptional aptitude for International Science/Math Olympiads (IJSO, IMO preparation)
- •Scholarship offers from premier coaching institutes
- •Strong profile for future KVPY, JEE Advanced, and international competitions
All-India top 100-200 range
93–96% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
- •Grand prize winner — laptops, tablets, or cash awards (₹25000-₹50000)
- •Featured prominently in NSTSE national publicity
- •High probability for Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) scholarship
- •Strong foundation for International Olympiad preparation paths
- •Recognition by top schools and coaching institutes nationwide
All-India top 500-1000 range
86–92% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
National top performers
76–85% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
State-level merit range
61–75% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
Above average performance
41–60% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
Participation level
0–40% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
AI-curated from historic cut-off patterns. Always verify with the latest official notification before making decisions.
News & timeline
See older updates →Latest news
The Unified Council released the NSTSE 2025-26 offline exam result on January 22, 2026. Students who appeared for the December 2025 offline exam can check their performance report at unifiedcouncil.com.
The Unified Council has announced NSTSE 2026-27 exam dates. The offline exam through schools will be conducted on November 20, 2026 and December 2, 2026. The online exam is scheduled for January 24, 2027.
The final NSTSE answer key for the 2025-26 offline exam was released on January 19, 2026. Students can download the answer key PDF from unifiedcouncil.com to estimate their scores.
Important dates
NSTSE 2025-26 Final Answer Key (Offline)
passedMon, 19 Jan, 2026
NSTSE 2025-26 Offline Exam Result
passedThu, 22 Jan, 2026
🏅NSTSE 2025-26 Online Exam
passedSun, 25 Jan, 2026
Online exam for individual registrations
NSTSE 2026-27 Registration Opens (expected)
passedTue, 1 Sept, 2026
Registration typically begins in September; exact date TBA
🏅NSTSE 2026-27 Offline Exam - Day 1
70 days awayFri, 20 Nov, 2026
Offline exam conducted through schools
🏅NSTSE 2026-27 Offline Exam - Day 2
82 days awayWed, 2 Dec, 2026
Offline exam conducted through schools
🏅NSTSE 2026-27 Online Mock Exam
128 days awaySun, 17 Jan, 2027
Mock test for online exam candidates
🏅NSTSE 2026-27 Online Exam (Final)
135 days awaySun, 24 Jan, 2027
Online exam for individual registrations
NSTSE 2026-27 Offline Exam Result (expected)
136 days awayMon, 25 Jan, 2027
Result typically declared in late January based on previous cycle
Syllabus
Tap any topic for its study notes + a 10-question topic test
Mathematics
Real Numbers
Euclid's division lemma, fundamental theorem of arithmetic, irrationals, decimals.
Polynomials
Zeroes, relationship with coefficients, division algorithm, factor theorem.
Linear Equations in Two Variables
Algebraic and graphical methods, consistency, applications.
Quadratic Equations
Roots, discriminant, nature of roots, real-life applications.
Arithmetic Progression
nth term, sum of n terms, applied progression problems.
Coordinate Geometry
Distance, section formula, area of triangle in coordinate plane.
Triangles
Similarity, BPT, areas of similar triangles, Pythagoras applications.
Circles
Tangent properties, number of tangents from external point, related theorems.
Constructions
Division of a line segment, tangents to a circle, similar triangle constructions.
Trigonometry
Ratios, identities, applications in heights and distances.
Mensuration
Surface area and volume of combinations of solids, conversion of solids.
Statistics
Mean, median, mode of grouped data, ogives, relationship between measures.
Probability
Classical probability, simple events, dice, cards and coins.
Physics
Motion
Kinematics in one dimension, motion graphs, equations of uniform acceleration.
Force and Laws of Motion
Newton's laws, momentum and impulse, application problems.
Gravitation
Universal law, free fall, mass/weight, pressure, buoyancy, Archimedes.
Work, Energy and Power
Work-energy theorem, KE/PE, conservation, mechanical power.
Sound
Wave parameters, longitudinal vs transverse, reflection, ultrasound.
Light — Reflection and Refraction
Mirrors, lenses, sign convention, ray diagrams, image formation.
Human Eye and Colourful World
Vision defects, prism dispersion, atmospheric refraction phenomena.
Electricity
Ohm's law, resistance combinations, electrical power and heating.
Magnetic Effects of Current
Magnetic fields, motor, generator, electromagnetic induction basics.
Chemistry
Matter
States, physical/chemical changes, evaporation and latent heat.
Atoms and Molecules
Laws of chemical combination, mole concept, molar mass, formulae.
Structure of the Atom
Sub-atomic particles, atomic models, electron configuration, isotopes.
Chemical Reactions and Equations
Types of reactions, balancing, redox, oxidation states.
Acids, Bases and Salts
pH, indicators, common salts, manufacturing of NaOH, bleaching powder.
Metals and Non-Metals
Reactivity series, extraction of metals, refining, alloys, corrosion.
Carbon and its Compounds
Bonding, hydrocarbons, isomerism, functional groups, soaps.
Periodic Classification
Modern periodic table, periodic trends — atomic size, electronegativity.
Biology
Cell — Fundamental Unit of Life
Cell theory, organelles, prokaryotic/eukaryotic differences.
Tissues
Plant and animal tissues, structure-function relationship.
Diversity in Living Organisms
Five-kingdom classification, taxonomic hierarchy.
Life Processes
Nutrition, respiration, transportation, excretion in plants and animals.
Control and Coordination
Nervous system, hormones, plant movements and tropisms.
Reproduction
Asexual/sexual reproduction in plants and humans, reproductive health.
Heredity and Evolution
Mendelian inheritance, sex determination, evolutionary evidence.
Natural Resources and Environment
Cycles in nature, ecosystems, pollution, conservation, food chains.
Health and Disease
Communicable/non-communicable diseases, immunity and vaccines.
General Questions and Reasoning
Number and Letter Series
Identifying patterns and finding the missing/next term.
Analogy and Classification
Word, number, letter and figure analogies; odd-one-out.
Coding-Decoding
Letter-letter, letter-number, conditional and substitution coding.
Direction Sense
Compass-based movement, shortest distance, final direction.
Blood Relations
Family tree problems, generation-based relationships.
Puzzles and Seating Arrangement
Linear/circular arrangement, calendar, clock-based problems.
Data Sufficiency
Determining whether given statements suffice to answer a question.
Critical Thinking
Logical/inductive reasoning, decision-making, subjective and objective analysis.
Scientific Reasoning Application
Applying PCB concepts to novel real-world contexts and experiments.