It's been 20 days since we launched the Times Scholars 2019 programme, and the response has been overwhelming: 1,33,228 registrations already, with 20 days still to go. The previous edition had witnessed a total of 1.84 lakh registrations.

The scholarship initiative is rooted in the newspaper. We believe a well-read scholar is better prepared to seize the opportunities the world offers.

A person who wants to become a Times Scholar will have to read The Times of India each day, specifically the article or news graphic carrying the “Times Scholars” marker. These will constitute the syllabus, covering science, technology, social issues, politics, global developments, economics , education, and much more.

One of the scholarship participants in the last programme, Shatakshi Sarangi, a science student, had this to say: “The entire experience was very enriching and taught me a lot about the outside world, giving me incentive to learn more.” Give it your best shot, she says and “you’ll surprise even yourself”.

Arun Banerji, another participant, said the informative articles helped his recall ability and the interview process aided his preparations for other competitive interviews. His tip: Read each article carefully and compile them in a file.

There will be weekly online practice exams and occasional submission of presentations, also online. Participation in the practice tests and presentations adds a mark each to the cumulative score.

A final online multiple-choice test will follow with questions based on articles that would have been marked in TOI with the Times Scholars 2019 logo. Personal interviews will decide the winners who will be acknowledged in TOI and will win Dell laptops. Also, for candidates in Class XII, selected students will be eligible for admission to undergraduate courses at Bennett University on a year’s scholarship if they fulfil the university’s eligibility criteria.

To get started, register online at www.timesscholars.com

Dell Aarambh is the Digital Learning Partner of the Times Scholars programme.

