ISTSE 2026-27
Indian School Talent Search Exam
Which classes?
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Filled: Classes 1 to 10.ISTSE at a glance
Classes 1 to 10one paper
Next: 22 Nov 2026online, Classes 7 to 10
Online at homeor on paper in school
₹399the online exam
60 minutes35 or 50 questions
Minus marksfor wrong answers
Medalsgold from 95%
Scholarshipsmonthly, for the top 3
Dates, fee and rounds
Indian School Talent Search Exam (ISTSE)
ISTSEMixedOnline or in schoolYou or school₹3991 round22 Nov
Details
- For
- Classes 1 to 10
- Dates
- Online: Classes 7 to 10 on 22 Nov 2026, Classes 4 to 6 on 28 Nov, Classes 1 to 3 on 29 Nov. In school: 3 Feb 2027. Last date to register not published.
- Not NSTSE
- ISTSE, run from Bangalore, is a different exam from Unified Council's NSTSE.
- How to register
- For the online exam, on your own (₹399, with 3 mock tests). The school exam goes through the school only; its fee is not published.
- Where they sit it
- Online exam: at home, on a device with a camera, watched by AI proctoring. School exam: on paper, in the child's own school.
- Questions
- One 60-minute multiple-choice paper: mental and logical ability, maths, science, English and a Scholars section. 35 questions for Classes 1 to 4, 50 for Classes 5 to 10. Wrong answers lose marks.
- Syllabus
- The child's own class syllabus, with questions that apply it.
- Awards
- Gold for 95% and above, silver for 90%, bronze for 80%. The top 10 may have a short video interview before final ranks; those who pass get a shield. Online exam: the top 3 in each class get ₹1,500, ₹1,000 or ₹500 a month for 12 months. School exam: rank 1 gets ₹1,800 a month.
- From
- ISTSE's own website
Quick answers
Is ISTSE the same as NSTSE?
No. ISTSE is a different exam from a different organiser.
Which classes can take ISTSE?
Classes 1 to 10.
Can my child take ISTSE at home?
Yes, the online exam in November, on a device with a camera.
What is the ISTSE fee?
₹399 for the online exam.
Does ISTSE have negative marking?
Yes, wrong answers lose marks.
Checked on ISTSE's own website, 4 Nov 2026. Rules and dates can change; their site is always final. Olympiad Owl is not linked to any organiser.