NSEA 2024-25 Eligibility Criteria

Q: 1. What is the question paper format of NSEA?

Ans: The NSEA question papers have only multiple choice questions and they cover the basic concepts under Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy. A fixed number of questions are included from each subject and the total questions equals 80. There are usually 33 questions from Physics while only 15 questions are asked from Astronomy and 32 from mathematics. For each right answer that the students attempt, they will be awarded three marks whereas, for every wrong answer, one mark will be reduced. The weightage of marks is divided between the subjects as 99 for Physics, 96 for mathematics and 45 for Astronomy which makes the maximum marks the students can attain to be 240.

Q: 2. What is the application fee for NSEA?

Ans: When a student applies for the National Standard Examination in Astronomy or the NSEA, they are required to give a nominal fee of Rs 150 for the students in India and 5 USD for overseas citizens of India or OCI. Students may pay the application fee while they register themselves for the exam when they submit the application form in the NSEA exam centres. The students have to pay the fee only once. There are no separate fees to be paid in each stage of the exam, if progressed to other exams.

Q: 3. What is the age criterion for NSEA?

Ans: Students who wish to take the NSEA must follow some conditions to be eligible. Interested students must be born between 1 July 2005 and 30 June 2010. Students should be of 14 to 19 years of age when they enroll for NSEA. They have to provide proof of birth to meet age eligibility. At any stage, students found to be not satisfying the age criterion will be disqualified.

Q: 4. Are the OCI students eligible for NSEA?

Ans: The overseas citizens of India (OCI) students are allowed to appear for the NSEA. But there has been a recent ruling by the Madras High Court which produced a verdict under which it was stated that even though the students belonging to the OCI category can participate in NSEA as the first stage of the International Astronomy Olympiad Program, they cannot go on to represent the country in the International olympiad program. Yet students who are Overseas Citizens of India may participate in the subsequent stages of the exam.

Q: 5. Where can students access study materials for NSEA?

Ans: Students who are passionate about physics and astronomy and are interested in appearing for the NSEA must spend adequate time preparing for the exam. Many study materials including sample question papers and previous years’ question papers are available online. Vedantu aims to help students prepare for such exams by providing various study materials for NSEA.

Q: 6. I Do Not Have a Passport. Can I Enrol For NSEA?

Ans: Yes, you can take part in NSEA even if you don’t have a passport as of now. However, you will need to apply for a passport and validate that you are eligible to hold one.

Olympiad

NSEA 2024-25 Eligibility Criteria

What is NSEA?

The Homi Bhabha Center for Science Education (HBCSE) and the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT) together organise and conduct the National Standard Examination in Astronomy, NSEA. It is regarded as one of the esteemed exams in the field of astronomy for students who are passionate about the subject. The exam is open to all students belonging to the higher secondary classes and the NSEA acts as the first stage of the International Olympiad for Astronomy and Astrophysics which is by itself an annual contest and is one of the prominent international science olympiads.

One of the primary objectives of conducting the exam is to form a platform and bring together students from different walks of life to develop their interest in the field and give opportunities to highlight their talent. The exam also aims to give students valuable experiences. Participating and qualifying in such exams will certainly put students in an advantageous position when it comes to pursuing higher education and also for various career opportunities they might be interested in.

What are the Eligibility Criteria?

It is the HBCSE and IAPT that lay down the eligibility criteria for NSEA. Students aspiring to take part in the National Standard Examination in Astronomy must meet each criterion as declared by IAPT. The NSEA eligibility criteria encompass certain parameters like nationality, age, academics, etc. Also, the nationality criteria for NSEA and the other National Standard Examinations have been revised by the Madras High Court, recently.

NSEA Eligibility Criteria 2024-25

The eligibility criteria for the National Standard Examination in Astronomy are listed below.

Age: Any student aspiring to take part in NSEA must have been born between 1 July 2005 and 30 June 2010 (all days inclusive).
Nationality: They must be eligible to hold or already have an Indian passport. He or she must be a resident of India, since 30 November 2021 or earlier. The students must have been studying in India or in any Indian school system since 30 November 2021 or earlier. Also, students belonging to the OCI category are not eligible to represent our country at the International Olympiad. They may take part in the subsequent stages of selection.
Educational Requirements: Students must not have completed their 12th Board exams prior to 30 November 2023. Also, they must not enroll to pursue higher studies in any university-level institution before June 1, 2024.
A student taking part in NSEA must not enroll for NSEJS in 2023.

FAQs on NSEA 2024-25 Eligibility Criteria

1. What is the question paper format of NSEA?

Ans: The NSEA question papers have only multiple choice questions and they cover the basic concepts under Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy. A fixed number of questions are included from each subject and the total questions equals 80. There are usually 33 questions from Physics while only 15 questions are asked from Astronomy and 32 from mathematics. For each right answer that the students attempt, they will be awarded three marks whereas, for every wrong answer, one mark will be reduced. The weightage of marks is divided between the subjects as 99 for Physics, 96 for mathematics and 45 for Astronomy which makes the maximum marks the students can attain to be 240.

2. What is the application fee for NSEA?

Ans: When a student applies for the National Standard Examination in Astronomy or the NSEA, they are required to give a nominal fee of Rs 150 for the students in India and 5 USD for overseas citizens of India or OCI. Students may pay the application fee while they register themselves for the exam when they submit the application form in the NSEA exam centres. The students have to pay the fee only once. There are no separate fees to be paid in each stage of the exam, if progressed to other exams.

3. What is the age criterion for NSEA?

Ans: Students who wish to take the NSEA must follow some conditions to be eligible. Interested students must be born between 1 July 2005 and 30 June 2010. Students should be of 14 to 19 years of age when they enroll for NSEA. They have to provide proof of birth to meet age eligibility. At any stage, students found to be not satisfying the age criterion will be disqualified.

4. Are the OCI students eligible for NSEA?

Ans: The overseas citizens of India (OCI) students are allowed to appear for the NSEA. But there has been a recent ruling by the Madras High Court which produced a verdict under which it was stated that even though the students belonging to the OCI category can participate in NSEA as the first stage of the International Astronomy Olympiad Program, they cannot go on to represent the country in the International olympiad program. Yet students who are Overseas Citizens of India may participate in the subsequent stages of the exam.

5. Where can students access study materials for NSEA?

Ans: Students who are passionate about physics and astronomy and are interested in appearing for the NSEA must spend adequate time preparing for the exam. Many study materials including sample question papers and previous years’ question papers are available online. Vedantu aims to help students prepare for such exams by providing various study materials for NSEA.

6. I Do Not Have a Passport. Can I Enrol For NSEA?

Ans: Yes, you can take part in NSEA even if you don’t have a passport as of now. However, you will need to apply for a passport and validate that you are eligible to hold one.