Performance of Odia medium students in the National Talent Search Examination (NTSE), conducted by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), New Delhi has been dismal.
A total of 16,723 students from the State had had appeared for the NTSE this year. While 137 students have qualified for the second round of the examination, most of them are from English medium schools. A total of 109 students, including 93 boys from English medium schools, cleared the first round. The number of qualifiers from Government schools was only 28, including six boys. Of the total successful students, 105 belong to general category, 18 SC, 10 ST and four physically-challenged.
The examination carries 200 marks consisting of 100 marks for regular courses and 50 each for mental ability test and language test. Sources said the Odia medium students performed well in the 100-mark paper, but fared badly in the mental ability test. Besides, students’ participation from tribal districts like Malkangiri, Boudh and Deogarh has been minimal this year.
The Central Government will provide scholarship to the successful students in the second round from Plus-II to PhD level. While the successful students will get Rs 1,250 in Plus-II, the scholarship amount is Rs 2,000 for graduation. Those who pursue PhD will get scholarship stipend as per UGC guidelines.