The National Rural Talent Scholarship (NRTS) 2026 is a state-level scholarship examination conducted by the Board of Secondary Education (BSE), Odisha for students currently studying in Class 9. Selected students receive Rs. 250 per month for 24 months (total Rs. 6,000) as a monthly stipend during their secondary school years. The exam for 2026 is scheduled on September 22, 2026, and the application deadline is August 20, 2026 — so eligible students must act through their school headmaster immediately.
NRTS Scholarship 2026 – Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Name | National Rural Talent Scholarship (NRTS) |
| Conducting Body | Board of Secondary Education (BSE), Odisha |
| Eligibility | Class 9 students in BSE-recognized Odisha schools |
| Application Start Date | August 11, 2026 |
| Application Last Date | August 20, 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online only (via school headmaster/principal) |
| Application Fee | Rs. 100 per candidate |
| Exam Date | September 22, 2026 |
| Exam Time | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (2 hours) |
| Admit Card (Tentative) | September 17, 2026 |
| Result (Tentative) | November 2026 |
| Scholarship Amount | Rs. 250/month × 24 months = Rs. 6,000 total |
| Payment Mode | Direct bank transfer (joint account) |
| Official Website | bseodisha.ac.in |
Read More: NSP ICAR Agriculture Scholarships 2026-27
What Is the NRTS Scholarship?
The National Rural Talent Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship scheme run by BSE Odisha to identify and support academically talented students from rural areas who are studying at the secondary level. The scholarship is awarded based on performance in a written examination covering subjects from the Class 8 syllabus. The goal is to encourage meritorious students to continue their education by providing financial support during Classes 9 and 10.
Unlike centrally funded scholarships, NRTS is specifically designed for students enrolled in schools affiliated with BSE Odisha, making it one of the most targeted and accessible scholarship opportunities for Odia students at the secondary level.
NRTS 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Before applying, students must carefully check the following eligibility conditions:
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Class | Currently studying in Class 9 |
| Previous Qualification | Must have passed Class 8 |
| School Affiliation | School must be recognized by the Government of Odisha following BSE syllabus |
| Minimum Marks – General/OBC | At least 60% in the Class 8 annual examination |
| Minimum Marks – SC/ST | At least 50% in the Class 8 annual examination |
| State | Odisha (school must be within Odisha) |
Note: Students studying in schools not affiliated to BSE Odisha or those following a curriculum other than the BSE syllabus are not eligible to apply.
NRTS 2026 Scholarship Amount & Benefits
Students selected through the NRTS examination receive the following benefits:
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Monthly Scholarship | Rs. 250 per month |
| Duration | 24 months (during secondary school) |
| Total Amount | Rs. 6,000 |
| Mode of Disbursement | Direct bank transfer to a joint account (student + parent) |
Important: The scholarship amount is disbursed electronically to a joint bank account opened in the names of the student and one parent/guardian. No alternative payment mode is accepted. Selected students must submit their bank account details to the District Education Officer (DEO) after receiving the award memo.
Also note: The scholarship may be withdrawn if the student fails to maintain satisfactory academic performance in Classes 9 and 10.
NRTS 2026 Exam Pattern
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) on OMR sheet |
| Number of Sections | 4 |
| Marks per Section | 25 marks each |
| Duration | 2 hours (10:00 AM to 12:00 PM) |
| Syllabus | Class 8 curriculum |
Subjects Covered
| Section | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Section 1 | Mathematics | 25 |
| Section 2 | General Science | 25 |
| Section 3 | Social Science | 25 |
| Section 4 | Modern Indian Language (MIL) | 25 |
| Total | 100 |
All questions are based on the Class 8 syllabus prescribed by BSE Odisha. Students appearing in Class 9 in 2026 should revise their Class 8 textbooks thoroughly for all four subjects.
Documents Required for NRTS 2026 Application
Since the application is submitted by the school headmaster on behalf of students, the following documents/information are typically required:
- Class 8 marksheet / annual examination result
- Student’s Aadhaar card (for identity verification)
- Caste certificate (for SC/ST students claiming relaxed eligibility)
- School enrollment/admission record
- Passport-size photograph of the student
- Application fee payment proof (Rs. 100)
Note: Students should approach their school headmaster immediately with all documents since the application window closes on August 20, 2026.
How to Apply for NRTS Scholarship 2026 (Step-by-Step)
The NRTS 2026 application process is online only and must be completed through the school’s headmaster or principal. Individual students cannot apply directly. Follow these steps:
- Inform your Headmaster: Approach your school’s headmaster or principal immediately and express your intention to apply for NRTS 2026.
- Submit Required Documents: Provide all necessary documents including your Class 8 marksheet, Aadhaar card, photograph, and caste certificate (if applicable).
- School Visits BSE Portal: The headmaster logs in to the official BSE Odisha portal at bseodisha.ac.in and fills in the student’s application form online.
- Fee Payment: The application fee of Rs. 100 per candidate is paid online during the submission process.
- Form Submission: The headmaster submits the completed form before the deadline of August 20, 2026.
- Collect Acknowledgement: Students should collect a copy of the submitted application / registration confirmation from the school for their records.
Deadline Alert: The application window is only open from August 11 to August 20, 2026 — just 10 days. Do not delay.
NRTS 2026 Admit Card
The BSE Odisha NRTS 2026 Admit Card is expected to be released on approximately September 17, 2026 (tentative) on the official website bseodisha.ac.in. Students can collect their admit card from their school authority. The admit card is mandatory for entry to the examination hall — no student will be permitted without it.
Details typically printed on the NRTS admit card:
- Student’s name and registration number
- Exam date, time, and centre address
- Photograph and signature
- Important instructions for the exam day
NRTS 2026 Selection Process
The selection of scholarship winners follows a structured post-exam process:
- Result Declaration: BSE Odisha declares the NRTS examination results and prepares a merit list. The result for 2026 is expected in November 2026 (tentative).
- Merit List to DEO: The merit list is forwarded to the respective District Education Officers (DEOs) across Odisha.
- Verification by DEO: Each District Education Officer verifies data accuracy and prepares the final list of selected students for their district.
- Award Memo Issuance: The DEO issues award memos to selected students. Note that the total number of awardees in a single block (combining rural and urban areas combined) shall not exceed 10.
- Bank Account Submission: Selected students must open a joint bank account (in the name of the student and one parent/guardian) and submit the account details to the DEO for scholarship disbursement.
Real Student Example – Meet Subham from Keonjhar
Subham Nayak is a Class 9 student at a government high school in Keonjhar district, Odisha. He scored 72% in his Class 8 board examination and is now appearing for NRTS 2026. His headmaster submitted the application form on August 14, 2026, well before the deadline. Subham revised all four subjects from his Class 8 textbooks — Mathematics, General Science, Social Science, and Odia (MIL). If selected, he will receive Rs. 250 every month for the next 24 months, helping his family manage his school expenses during Classes 9 and 10.
NRTS 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | August 11, 2026 |
| Application Last Date | August 20, 2026 |
| Admit Card Release (Tentative) | September 17, 2026 |
| Exam Date | September 22, 2026 |
| Exam Time | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Result Declaration (Tentative) | November 2026 |
NRTS 2026 Preparation Tips
Since the exam is based entirely on the Class 8 BSE Odisha syllabus, here are some effective preparation strategies:
- Focus on NCERT/BSE Class 8 textbooks: Revise all chapters in Mathematics, General Science, Social Science, and your MIL subject thoroughly.
- Practice MCQs: The exam is MCQ-based on OMR sheets. Practice answering objective questions quickly and accurately.
- Previous Year Papers: Solve NRTS question papers from 2024 and 2025 to understand the difficulty level and question pattern.
- Time Management: With 100 questions in 2 hours, aim to spend no more than 1–1.5 minutes per question.
- MIL Preparation: Don’t ignore the Modern Indian Language section — it carries an equal 25 marks. Revise grammar rules and comprehension passages.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q1. What is the NRTS Scholarship 2026?
- The National Rural Talent Scholarship (NRTS) 2026 is a merit-based scholarship exam conducted by BSE Odisha for Class 9 students. Selected students receive ₹250 per month for 24 months (total Rs. 6,000) as financial support during secondary school.
- Q2. What is the last date to apply for NRTS 2026?
- The NRTS 2026 application deadline is August 20, 2026. Applications must be submitted online by the school headmaster via the BSE Odisha portal.
- Q3. When is the NRTS 2026 exam date?
- The NRTS 2026 exam is scheduled for September 22, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
- Q4. Who is eligible for NRTS 2026?
- Class 9 students in BSE-recognized Odisha schools who scored at least 60% in Class 8 (50% for SC/ST) are eligible.
- Q5. Can students apply directly for NRTS 2026?
- No. Only the school headmaster or principal can submit the application online via the BSE Odisha portal. Students cannot apply individually.
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| BSE Odisha Official Website | bseodisha.ac.in |
| NRTS 2026 Online Application | Apply via BSE Odisha Portal |
| NRTS Admit Card 2026 | Download from BSE Odisha |
| NRTS Result 2026 | Check at BSE Odisha |
Menka Singh is an education researcher and scholarship consultant with over 5 years of experience helping Indian students navigate central, state and private scholarship programmes. Having personally applied for and received scholarships during her own education, she brings firsthand understanding to every guide she writes. She specialises in Bihar, UP, Maharashtra and all India scholarship schemes and has helped thousands of students find verified funding opportunities. Read More: Click Here
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