If you are a Class 8, 9, 10, or 11 student aspiring to crack NEET or JEE and want to secure free or heavily discounted coaching at Aakash Institute — India’s most trusted name in medical and engineering entrance exam preparation — the Aakash National Talent Hunt Exam (ANTHE) 2026 is the single most important scholarship examination available to you. ANTHE offers scholarships worth up to ₹2 lakh in fee waivers — equivalent to 100% of coaching fees for top scorers — along with cash prizes, recognition awards, and guaranteed access to Aakash’s world-class study material, faculty, and test series.
This guide covers everything you need — scholarship amounts, eligibility, exam pattern, important dates, and a preparation strategy to walk away with the highest possible scholarship.
What Is ANTHE 2026?
The Aakash National Talent Hunt Exam (ANTHE) is an annual scholarship-cum-admission test conducted by Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL) — the parent company of Aakash Institute and Aakash BYJU’S. ANTHE is one of India’s most widely taken coaching scholarship exams, with over 2.5 lakh students participating annually across 200+ Aakash study centres and online mode.
ANTHE 2026 is not merely a fee discount mechanism — it is a genuine talent identification program that has served as the launching pad for thousands of NEET and JEE toppers, many of whom entered Aakash on near-zero fees through ANTHE scholarship wins and went on to secure All India Rank 1 in NEET and top 100 in JEE Advanced.
ANTHE 2026 Scholarship Amounts — What You Can Win
ANTHE offers scholarships in two forms: fee waivers (percentage reduction in Aakash coaching fees) and cash awards for top performers.
Fee Waiver Scholarships:
| ANTHE Rank / Score Bracket | Fee Waiver | Approximate Saving |
|---|---|---|
| Rank 1 (National Topper) | 100% fee waiver | Up to ₹2,00,000 |
| Rank 2–10 | 90% fee waiver | ₹1,80,000 |
| Top 0.1% scorers | 75% fee waiver | ₹1,50,000 |
| Top 0.5% scorers | 60% fee waiver | ₹1,20,000 |
| Top 2% scorers | 50% fee waiver | ₹1,00,000 |
| Top 5% scorers | 40% fee waiver | ₹80,000 |
| Top 10% scorers | 25% fee waiver | ₹50,000 |
| Top 25% scorers | 10% fee waiver | ₹20,000 |
The above structure is based on Aakash’s historical ANTHE scholarship framework. Exact cutoffs for 2026 will be published on aakash.ac.in after the exam. Fee waiver percentages apply to Aakash’s two-year classroom programs — the highest-value courses at ₹1.5–₹2 lakh per year for NEET and JEE.
Cash Awards for ANTHE 2026 Toppers:
| Achievement | Cash Prize |
|---|---|
| National Rank 1 (per stream) | ₹1,50,000 cash |
| National Rank 2 | ₹1,25,000 cash |
| National Rank 3 | ₹1,00,000 cash |
| State Rank 1 (each state) | ₹25,000 cash |
| District Rank 1 (each district) | ₹10,000 cash |
Total maximum benefit for a National Rank 1 student: 100% fee waiver (₹2,00,000 value) + ₹1,50,000 cash prize = ₹3,50,000 total benefit — making ANTHE potentially the highest-value coaching scholarship exam in India.
Streams and Classes — Who Can Appear for ANTHE 2026
ANTHE is conducted for four class levels, each with their own exam:
| Class | Target Program | Scholarship for |
|---|---|---|
| Class 8 (studying) | Foundation Course (Science) | Class 9 Foundation at Aakash |
| Class 9 (studying) | Foundation + Pre-Medical / Pre-Engineering | Class 10 Foundation at Aakash |
| Class 10 (studying or passed) | Pre-Medical / Pre-Engineering | Class 11 NEET or JEE program at Aakash |
| Class 11 (studying) | Medical (NEET) / Engineering (JEE) | Class 12 NEET or JEE program at Aakash |
Students appearing for ANTHE Class 10 and Class 11 choose their stream — Medical (NEET) or Engineering (JEE) — at the time of registration. The exam content differs by stream from Class 10 level onwards.
Note: Class 12 students and NEET/JEE droppers are not eligible for ANTHE in its standard format — they should inquire about Aakash’s separate scholarship test for repeaters at their nearest Aakash centre.
ANTHE 2026 Exam Pattern
For Class 8 and Class 9 (Foundation Level):
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Science (Physics + Chemistry + Biology), Mathematics, Mental Ability |
| Total Questions | 90 questions |
| Duration | 1.5–2 hours |
| Question Type | MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions) |
| Marking Scheme | +4 correct, -1 incorrect |
| Medium | English and Hindi |
For Class 10 — Medical Stream (NEET aspirants):
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Botany + Zoology), Mental Ability |
| Total Questions | 90 questions |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Marking Scheme | +4 correct, -1 incorrect |
For Class 10 — Engineering Stream (JEE aspirants):
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Mental Ability |
| Total Questions | 90 questions |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Marking Scheme | +4 correct, -1 incorrect |
For Class 11 — Medical Stream (NEET aspirants):
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Physics (Class 11), Chemistry (Class 11), Biology (Class 11) |
| Total Questions | 90 questions |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Marking Scheme | +4 correct, -1 incorrect |
| Syllabus Focus | Class 11 NCERT + standard NEET-level application |
For Class 11 — Engineering Stream (JEE aspirants):
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Physics (Class 11), Chemistry (Class 11), Mathematics (Class 11) |
| Total Questions | 90 questions |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Marking Scheme | +4 correct, -1 incorrect |
| Syllabus Focus | Class 11 NCERT + standard JEE Main-level application |
ANTHE 2026 Syllabus — What to Study
Class 8 / Class 9 Foundation Level:
- Science: NCERT Class 7–8 / 8–9 respectively — Physics (Motion, Force, Energy), Chemistry (Atoms, Materials), Biology (Life Processes, Cell)
- Mathematics: NCERT Class 7–8 / 8–9 respectively — Number System, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration
- Mental Ability: Number series, coding-decoding, blood relations, direction sense, analogy — standard reasoning level
Class 10 (Medical / Engineering):
- Physics: Motion, Laws of Motion, Work & Energy, Light, Electricity (NCERT Class 9–10)
- Chemistry: Chemical Reactions, Acids Bases Salts, Metals & Non-metals, Carbon Compounds (NCERT Class 9–10)
- Biology (Medical): Life Processes, Reproduction, Heredity, Ecosystems (NCERT Class 9–10)
- Mathematics (Engineering): Real Numbers, Polynomials, Quadratic Equations, Triangles, Trigonometry, Statistics (NCERT Class 9–10)
Class 11 (Medical / Engineering):
- Full Class 11 NCERT syllabus in respective subjects
- Application-level questions at NEET/JEE Main difficulty — not merely factual recall
Important Dates — ANTHE 2026
Aakash typically conducts ANTHE in two major phases each year:
| Phase | Test Window | Admission for |
|---|---|---|
| ANTHE Phase 1 (Main) | October–November 2026 | January 2027 batch / Session starting post-results |
| ANTHE Phase 2 | February–March 2026 | April–May 2026 batch |
| Rolling scholarship tests | Throughout the year | Open admissions with scholarship |
ANTHE’s primary high-stakes window is October–November — this is when the highest number of students appear, the national competition is most intense, and the cash prizes for toppers are at their maximum value. Students who want the highest scholarship slabs should target the October–November window.
Visit aakash.ac.in or contact your nearest Aakash centre for confirmed 2026 exam dates once announced.
How to Register for ANTHE 2026
Online Registration:
- Visit aakash.ac.in and click on ANTHE / Scholarship Test
- Select your class (8, 9, 10, or 11) and stream (Medical / Engineering for Class 10–11)
- Fill in: student name, parent contact, class, school name, city, preferred test mode
- Select Online (at home) or Offline (at nearest Aakash centre)
- Pay the registration fee — typically ₹200 for online and ₹200–₹500 for offline depending on city
- Receive admit card via email and SMS
- Appear for the test on the scheduled date
Offline / Walk-In Registration:
Walk into any Aakash centre with your school ID and parent’s mobile number. Aakash centres in over 200 cities across India accept same-day or scheduled ANTHE registrations throughout the year.
How to Prepare for ANTHE 2026 — Targeted Strategy
30-Day Preparation Plan for Class 10 Students:
Week 1–2: NCERT Foundation
- Complete all Class 9 and 10 NCERT Science chapters — Physics, Chemistry, Biology
- Focus on conceptual understanding, not just facts — ANTHE questions test application
Week 3: Mental Ability
- Practice 50 Mental Ability questions daily — reasoning, series, coding
- Use any standard Class 9–10 Mental Ability book (R.S. Aggarwal Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning)
Week 4: Mock Tests and Speed Training
- Solve 2–3 previous ANTHE papers available on Aakash’s official portal and YouTube
- Target completing 90 questions in 90 minutes — leaving buffer for review
- Apply the 70-20-10 rule: attempt 70% questions with full confidence, 20% with calculated guessing, skip 10% (negative marking management)
For Class 11 Students:
- ANTHE at Class 11 level tests genuine NEET/JEE Main conceptual understanding — shortcuts do not work
- Complete Class 11 NCERT thoroughly with solved examples
- Supplement with H.C. Verma (Physics) Chapter 1–14 for JEE stream or NCERT Exemplar Biology for NEET stream
Documents Required
- Admit card (printed or on phone — online mode)
- School photo ID card or Aadhaar card
- Recent passport-size photograph (for offline centre verification)
- Parent’s Aadhaar or ID (for minor students — some centres verify)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is ANTHE 2026 available in Hindi medium? Yes — ANTHE is available in both English and Hindi medium. Students can select their preferred language at the time of registration. The question paper is bilingual — both languages are provided side by side.
Q2. Can a student appear in ANTHE multiple times in a year? Yes — Aakash conducts scholarship tests throughout the year in addition to the main ANTHE window. Students can register for Aakash’s rolling scholarship tests at any centre and the scholarship slab is assigned based on their best attempt. However, the cash prizes are exclusively for the main ANTHE window — rolling tests offer fee waivers only.
Q3. Is the ANTHE scholarship valid for Aakash’s online programs (Aakash BYJU’S digital)? Yes — the ANTHE scholarship applies to both Aakash classroom programs and Aakash BYJU’S digital and hybrid programs. Students in cities without an Aakash centre can access the scholarship through Aakash’s online and distance learning modes. Confirm the specific program’s scholarship applicability with the Aakash admissions team at the time of enrollment.
Q4. What is the difference between ANTHE and the ALLEN Scholarship Test? Both are coaching institute scholarship tests — ANTHE is conducted by Aakash Institute and the ALLEN Scholarship Test by ALLEN Career Institute. The scholarship structures are comparable — both offer up to 100% fee waivers for toppers. The key differences: ANTHE includes cash prizes (up to ₹1.5 lakh for National Rank 1) while ALLEN’s scholarship focuses purely on fee waivers. Serious JEE/NEET aspirants should appear for both tests — the combined scholarship potential and the preparation synergy make both worth attempting.
Final Verdict
For every Class 8–11 student with NEET or JEE ambitions — ANTHE 2026 is the scholarship test that could make world-class Aakash coaching completely free.
The ₹2 lakh fee waiver for top scorers, the ₹1.5 lakh cash prize for National Rank 1, and the career-transforming value of free access to Aakash’s study material, mock test series, and faculty — all for a ₹200 registration fee and focused NCERT preparation — make ANTHE the highest-return examination an aspiring JEE or NEET student can take. Register on aakash.ac.in, prepare with your NCERT textbooks and previous ANTHE papers, and claim your scholarship before the October–November 2026 main window.
100% fee waiver. ₹1.5 lakh cash. National recognition. Free Aakash coaching. ANTHE 2026 — one exam that can fund your entire NEET and JEE journey. Register today.