ISTSE (Indian School Talent Search Exam) Online Scholarship Olympiad for Indian Students
by A2 Software Management & Consultancy Services Private Limited
Scholarships up to ₹18,000
ISTSE online, for Grades 1 to 10. Your child takes the exam from home on a device with a camera, and a parent registers directly on istse.org.
Mode
Online
Fee
₹399
Participation format
Individual
Duration
60 minutes
Time needed
1 hour for the exam, plus time for the 3 mock tests.
Eligibility
Grades 1 to 10, studying the Indian syllabus in India or abroad. The child needs a device with a camera and internet at home. A parent registers directly on istse.org.
- Grade level
- Grade 1 to 10
- Age range
- 6 to 15 years
- Eligibility region
- Available nationwide across India
- Academic requirement
- Students in Grades 1 to 10 who study the Indian syllabus, in India or abroad.
See if your child qualifies.
Rewards and recognition
Award
₹18,000 Scholarship
The top 3 students of each grade get ₹1,500, ₹1,000 and ₹500 a month for 12 months. The top 10 scorers take a 30-minute video interview before the final ranks are decided.
Prizes
Medals & Shields
Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals for scores of 80% and above. The top 3 of each grade get the Topper, First Runner Up and Second Runner Up Shields. Top 10 scorers who pass the interview get a shield instead of a medal.
Certificate
Performance & Participation Certificates
Every student who takes the exam gets a certificate. Scholar Certificate with a Gold Medal for 95% and above, Outstanding Performance Certificate with a Silver Medal for 90% to 94.99%, Distinguished Performance Certificate with a Bronze Medal for 80% to 89.99%, Participation Certificate for 60% to 79.99%, and a digital Participation Certificate below 60%.
Recognition
International ranking
Skills your child builds
Key dates
- Competition
- 22 Nov 2026 to 29 Nov 2026
Exam: Grades 7 to 10
Online exam from home for Grades 7 to 10.
Exam: Grades 4 to 6
Online exam from home for Grades 4 to 6.
Exam: Grades 1 to 3
Online exam from home for Grades 1 to 3.
Online · ISTSE online exam portal
How to apply
- 1Register on istse.org: choose your child's grade, fill in the form and pay ₹399.
- 2ISTSE sends the login details and exam instructions by email and on WhatsApp.
- 3Run the system check on the device your child will use, then practice with the 3 mock tests.
- 4Your child takes the exam from home on the date for the grade.
Rules and guidelines
- Register for the grade your child is in for the current session. A wrong grade cancels the result.
- The exam is taken online with the camera on. ISTSE prefers it is taken from home.
- Wrong answers lose marks.
- 16 of the 100 marks are for fair play, judged by AI-assisted proctoring and manual monitoring.
- The top 10 scorers must attend a video interview. Missing it cancels the result, and the fee is not refunded.
- The ISTSE Academic Council's decision is final in any dispute.
Technology requirements
- Laptop, desktop or tablet with a camera
- A smartphone with Chrome also works
- Internet of at least 512 kbps
- The ISTSE system check, run on the same device before the exam
Fees and financial support
Fee details
₹399 for the exam, paid online at registration. Model papers (₹200) and the Olympiad Helper online course (₹2,600) are optional extras.
Financial support
The top 3 students of each grade get ₹1,500, ₹1,000 and ₹500 a month for 12 months, with a shield. The scholarship is paid only into an Indian bank account of the student or a parent, and a student gets it only once for the same grade.
Refund policy
A student called for the video interview who does not attend it loses the fee, the certificate and any award.
About this opportunity
The Indian School Talent Search Exam (ISTSE) is a scholarship exam for Grades 1 to 10. This is the online version: a parent registers the child directly, and the child takes the exam from home. It runs twice a year, as a Summer exam and a Winter exam.
The exam is one paper of multiple-choice questions: 35 for Grades 1 to 4 and 50 for Grades 5 to 10, in 60 minutes, for 100 marks. It covers Mental and Logical Ability, Mathematics, Science, English and a Scholars Section. Wrong answers lose marks. Of the 100 marks, 16 are for fair play, judged by AI-assisted proctoring and manual monitoring.
The child needs a laptop, desktop or tablet with a camera and internet of at least 512 kbps. A smartphone with Chrome also works. Every registered student gets 3 online mock tests to practice on.
Every student gets a certificate, and students who score 80% or more also get a medal. The top 3 of each grade get ₹1,500, ₹1,000 and ₹500 a month for 12 months. Students outside India can take part if they study the Indian syllabus.
Exam format
- Duration
- 60 minutes
- Format
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Language
- English
Rounds and format
One online exam. The top 10 scorers of each grade then take a 30-minute video interview of 100 marks that decides the final top 10 ranks. A student must score at least 30% in the interview.
How entries are judged
Written marks, including 16 marks for fair play, decide the ranks. For the top 10 scorers, the written and interview marks together decide the final ranks. Ties go to higher marks in the Scholars Section, then Mathematics, Science, Mental and Logical Ability and English, then less time taken, then the younger student.
Selection process
The top 3 of each grade by final rank get the scholarships. The top 10 scorers take a video interview, and a student must score at least 30% in it to keep a rank.
How to prepare
- 3 online mock tests for every registered student
- Syllabus and a free sample paper for each grade on istse.org
- Model papers: 3 model and 4 past papers, ₹200, optional
Academic details
Difficulty: Mixed Levels
What's covered
Questions follow the CBSE, ICSE and State Board syllabus. Marks: Mental and Logical Ability 9%, Mathematics 24%, Science 24%, English 12%, Scholars Section 15%, and 16% for fair play.
Frequently asked questions
Can my child take the exam from home?
Yes. The online exam is taken from home on a laptop, desktop, tablet or smartphone with a working camera and stable internet.
Can a child living outside India take part?
Yes, if the child studies the Indian syllabus. Certificates and medals are shipped only to an address in India, and scholarships are paid only into an Indian bank account.
Which grade should I register for?
The grade your child is in for the current session. Registering for another grade cancels the result.
How many questions are there?
35 for Grades 1 to 4 and 50 for Grades 5 to 10, in 60 minutes, for 100 marks. Wrong answers lose marks.
What happens after the exam?
The top 10 scorers of each grade take a 30-minute video interview of 100 marks. A student must attend and score at least 30%, or the result is cancelled. The written and interview marks together decide the top 10 ranks.
Can I pay by UPI or bank transfer?
Yes. Send the payment details to info@istse.org or on WhatsApp at +91 93190 26611, with the student's name and grade.
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