The students studying in Class 9 during this academic year, whose parental annual income does not exceed Rs 1 lakh, are eligible to appear for the test.

Nearly 50 girls and 50 boys will be selected from each district and a scholarship of Rs 1,000 per month will be granted for a period of four years.

Moreover, an online application facility will also be created for such students. This year, as many as 60,000 students were expected to appear for the exam to be conducted by the School Education Department. 

The Directorate of Government Examinations will select the candidates based on the marks and according to the rule of reservation.

Candidates who have passed Class 7 from government and government-aided schools with 55 per cent of marks (50 per cent for Scheduled Caste and Schedule Tribes) and studying in Class 8 whose parental annual income does not exceed Rs 1,50,000 are eligible to appear for the test.

The selected candidates will get a scholarship of Rs 6,000 per annum from Class 9 till Class 12.

This scheme is expected to provide scholarships to more than 6,500 students across the state every year. The Directorate, which also conducts national talent search exams, will select students from Class 10 and award them scholarship of Rs 1,250 per month from Class 11 till Class 12.

Students pursuing degree courses too will get a scholarship of Rs 2,000 per month under the scheme. About 1.5 lakh students are expected to appear for the exams this academic year.