Identification of talent comprises two-stage selection process. While the individual State/UT conducts the first stage selection, the second stage selection at the national level is carried out by the NCERT.
Each State/UT conducts its own examination. They have the autonomy to lay down their own norms for the purposes of determining the eligibility of the candidates. This examination is primarily used to recommend a given number of candidates for the second level test to be conducted by the NCERT. This number is based on the enrolment of
students at Classes VII and VIII in different States/UTs. The candidates are to be recommended on the basis of the merit in the written examination conducted by the States/UTs. The details of the number of candidates for different States/UTs as applicable will be notified separately.
The state level screening examination is conducted in all States/UTs on second Sunday of November except in Nagaland, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Meghalaya and Mizoram where it will be conducted on second Saturday of November every year until and unless some special
circumstances occur.