Terms and conditions

1. Eligibility

• Students studying in Classes III to IX are eligible to participate in JSTE.
• The examination is open to students following the State syllabus and CBSE syllabus.
• Students must register under their current class and syllabus.
• All details provided during registration must be correct and complete.

2. Registration fee

• State syllabus: ₹800. CBSE syllabus: ₹1,200.
• The applicable registration fee must be paid during registration.
• Students must select the correct syllabus while registering.
• Registration is confirmed only after successful payment and submission of the application.
• The registration fee is non-refundable, except where otherwise announced by the examination organisers or as set out in the refund policy.

3. Examination pattern

Level 1 — Preliminary examination

• Level 1 will be conducted online.
• All registered and eligible students can appear for Level 1.
• Students will be assessed according to their respective class and syllabus.
• Candidates who meet the prescribed class-wise cutoff marks will qualify for Level 2.

Level 2 — Final talent examination

• Only students who qualify in Level 1 are eligible to appear for Level 2.
• The Level 2 examination will be conducted online.
• The examination schedule, instructions, and other details will be communicated separately.
• Final scholarship selection will be based on Level 2 performance and the announced scholarship criteria.

4. Level 1 qualifying criteria

• A separate cutoff will be determined for each class.
• The qualifying cutoff may vary for Classes III to IX.
• Students who secure the prescribed cutoff marks or above will qualify for Level 2.
• The cutoff marks will be decided by the JSTE Examination Committee.
• The committee will announce the qualifying criteria along with the examination results.
• Only qualified candidates will be permitted to appear for Level 2.

5. Level 2 scholarship selection

• Each class from Class III to Class IX will have 25 scholarship awards.
• A total of 175 scholarship awards will be available across all seven classes.
• Scholarship selection will be based on the marks obtained in Level 2 and the officially announced selection criteria.
• Students must qualify in Level 1 to be considered for Level 2 scholarship selection.
• Qualifying for Level 1 does not guarantee a scholarship.
• Scholarship amounts, award categories, and other benefits will be announced separately by the organisers.
• In case of a tie, the tie-breaking criteria announced by the examination committee will apply.

6. Mandatory attendance for Level 2

• Students who qualify in Level 1 are required to attend Level 2 to remain eligible for scholarship selection.
• Attendance in Level 2 is mandatory for all Level 1 qualified candidates.
• If a qualified candidate fails to attend Level 2 for any reason, the candidate will be considered absent and will not be eligible for scholarship selection.
• The registration fee will not be refunded merely because a qualified candidate fails to attend Level 2.
• No refund or transfer of the registration fee will be provided for voluntary non-attendance, subject to applicable law and the exceptions in the refund policy.
• Parents or guardians are responsible for ensuring that their child attends Level 2 on the announced date and time.
• If the examination is cancelled or rescheduled by the organisers, the applicable cancellation or rescheduling policy will apply.

7. Online examination rules

• Students must have access to a suitable device and a stable internet connection.
• Candidates must appear for the examination within the announced time.
• Students must follow all online examination instructions.
• Candidates must not use unauthorised materials, communicate with others, or engage in unfair practices during the examination.
• The use of unauthorised electronic devices or external assistance is prohibited.
• Any candidate found violating examination rules may be disqualified.
• Students are responsible for ensuring that their device and internet connection are ready before the examination begins.
• Technical difficulties must be reported to the examination support team within the announced time.

8. Results and communication

• JSTE results will be announced through the official communication channels.
• Students and parents must check the official notifications for results and further instructions.
• The list of Level 1 qualified candidates will be announced before Level 2.
• Scholarship award details will be communicated after the final selection process.
• The examination committee reserves the right to verify candidate details before declaring final scholarship awards.

9. General terms and conditions

• Students must provide accurate personal, academic, and contact information during registration.
• Parents or guardians are responsible for ensuring that the registration details are correct.
• The examination committee reserves the right to reject incomplete, incorrect, or duplicate applications.
• The organisers may modify the examination schedule or instructions due to unavoidable circumstances. Any changes will be communicated through official channels.
• The examination committee reserves the right to disqualify candidates found violating the examination rules.
• The committee's decisions regarding examination administration, qualification, and scholarship selection will be final, subject to applicable rules and law.
• Participation in JSTE implies acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.

10. Student and parent declaration

By completing registration, the student and parent or guardian declare that the information provided is true and correct; that they have read and understood these Terms and Conditions; and that they agree to abide by the rules of the Junior Search Talent Exam.

They also acknowledge that if the student qualifies in Level 1, attendance in Level 2 is mandatory for scholarship eligibility; that failure to attend Level 2 will result in loss of scholarship eligibility; and that the registration fee will not be refunded solely due to non-attendance, subject to applicable law and the published refund policy.