The Indian School Talent Search Exam (ISTSE) offers students from classes 1 to 10 a chance to test their skills and win scholarships. This international level exam assesses your potential across multiple subjects and rewards top performers with monthly scholarships.
If you want to know how you stack up against other students or if you're looking for scholarship opportunities, ISTSE might be what you need.
What is ISTSE Scholarship Olympiad?
ISTSE is an online scholarship olympiad exam designed for Indian students studying in grades 1 through 10. The exam tests you on four main subjects: Mental Ability, Mathematics, Science, and English. Think of it as a way to measure your overall intellectual potential while competing with students across India and internationally.
The exam comes in two formats. You can take it online from your home, or you can participate through your school in a paper-based format. Both options have their own benefits and award structures.
How to Register for ISTSE
Registration depends on how you want to participate.
Direct or Individual Registration (Online Exam)
Any student from class 1 to 10 can register online directly. You'll take the exam from home, so you need a laptop, desktop, or tablet with a webcam and a stable internet connection. The system has specific requirements, so check if your device meets them before registering.
The registration fee is ₹399. If you register late, it goes up to ₹449. Seats are limited, so register early.
Here are the exam dates for direct candidates:
- Class 1-3: November 23rd, 2025
- Class 4-6: November 22nd, 2025
- Class 7-10: November 16th, 2025
School-Based Registration (Paper-Based Exam)
If you prefer the traditional exam format, ask your school teacher about the ISTSE registration form. The school will conduct the exam on campus during school hours.
The registration fee through school is ₹200. The last date to register is November 15th, 2025, and the exam will be held on February 3rd, 2026.
What Does the Exam Cover?
ISTSE is a single paper exam with multiple choice questions. The exam tests you across several areas:
- Mental and Logical Ability: 9% of total marks
- Mathematics: 24% of total marks
- Science: 24% of total marks
- English: 12% of total marks
- Scholars Section: 15% of total marks
For online exams, 16% of marks are reserved for fair play. The system uses AI-based tools and manual monitoring to ensure no one cheats during the exam.
Students in classes 1 to 4 will answer 35 questions in 60 minutes. Students in classes 5 to 10 will answer 50 questions in the same time.
There is negative marking for wrong answers, so answer carefully.
Preparing for the Exam
The exam follows the syllabus of CBSE, ICSE, and State Boards. This means preparing for ISTSE will also help you with your regular school exams.
If you register for the online exam, you get three mock tests for practice. These mock tests help you understand the exam pattern and assess your preparation. You can take these tests on a smartphone or tablet, but remember, the final exam requires a computer or laptop with a webcam.
Mock tests won't be available on or after the exam date, so practice well in advance.
What Can You Win?
Every student who participates gets a certificate. But the real prizes go to top performers.
For Online Exam (Direct Candidates)
The top three students from each class receive monthly scholarships:
- International Rank 1: ₹1500 per month for 12 months plus a Topper Shield
- International Rank 2: ₹1000 per month for 12 months plus a First Runner Up Shield
- International Rank 3: ₹500 per month for 12 months plus a Second Runner Up Shield
You need at least 60% marks to qualify for a scholarship. If no student scores 60%, no scholarship will be awarded.
Students who score 95% or above get a Scholar Certificate and a Gold Medal. Those who score between 90% and 94.99% get an Outstanding Performance Certificate and a Silver Medal. Students scoring between 80% and 89.99% receive a Distinguished Performance Certificate and a Bronze Medal.
For Paper-Based Exam (Through School)
The awards depend on how many students from your school participate. Schools with 50 or more students in a class give cash prizes to the top three performers in that class:
- First Topper: ₹1500 plus Gold Medal
- Second Topper: ₹1000 plus Silver Medal
- Third Topper: ₹500 plus Bronze Medal
Schools with fewer participants give medals but may not give cash prizes.
At the school level, if 500 or more students participate across all classes, the top three school toppers get monthly scholarships similar to the online exam format.
The International Topper of each class receives ₹1800 per month for 12 months plus an International Topper Shield.
How Are Ranks Decided?
If two students score the same marks, the exam uses specific rules to determine who gets a higher rank. The student with more marks in the Scholars' Section gets preference. If there's still a tie, they check Mathematics scores, then Science, then Mental and Logical Ability, and finally English.
For online exams, the time taken to complete the exam matters too. The student who finishes faster gets a higher rank. If everything is still equal, the younger student gets preference.
The top 10 scorers will participate in a 30-minute video interview worth 100 marks. This interview decides the final top 10 ranks.
Why Should You Participate?
ISTSE gives you a platform to understand where you stand among thousands of students. You get to identify your strengths and weaknesses across different subjects. The exam pushes you to think beyond your textbooks and solve problems that require deeper understanding.
The competition also sharpens your mind. Students who participate in such olympiads tend to become better problem solvers. You get exposure to questions you won't find in your regular school tests.
And yes, there's a chance to win scholarships and recognition. Even if you don't win a scholarship, the certificates and medals add value to your academic profile.
Past Results Speak for Themselves
The ISTSE Summer 2025 exam saw participation from 2057 schools across 736 cities. Students from 34 states, union territories, and 22 countries took part. The satisfaction rate was 98.3%, which shows that students and parents trust this exam.
A Few Important Points to Remember
Once you receive a scholarship for a particular class, you cannot receive it again for the same class. For example, if you win a scholarship for class 4 in the Winter exam, you won't be eligible for the class 4 Summer exam scholarship.
You can still appear in the next exam to evaluate your preparation, but you won't be eligible for the top 10 interviews or scholarships.
For any disputes or confusion, the decision of the Academic Council is final and binding.
Getting Started
If you're ready to test your skills and compete at an international level, visit the ISTSE website and register. Check if your system meets the requirements if you're planning to take the online exam.
If you prefer the school-based exam, talk to your teacher about getting the registration form. Don't wait until the last minute because seats fill up fast.
The ISTSE Scholarship Olympiad is more than just another exam. It's an opportunity to challenge yourself, learn where you excel, and potentially earn rewards for your hard work. Whether you're in class 1 or class 10, there's a spot for you in this competition.
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