🧪 National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) — 2026 Overview
🔍 Introduction
The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) is a national-level entrance examination conducted for admission into the five-year Integrated M.Sc. programs in Basic Sciences at:
- National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar, and
- Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM–DAE CEBS), Mumbai.
It is jointly organized by NISER and UM–DAE CEBS.
📅 Important Dates (Tentative for 2026)
| Event | Date |
| Application Form Release | 17 February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | May 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | June 2026 |
| NEST 2025 Exam Date | June 2026 |
| Result Declaration | August 2026 |
🧾 Eligibility Criteria
| Criteria | Details |
| Educational Qualification | Candidates must have passed Class 12 (Science stream) in 2023 or 2024, or appearing in 2025. |
| Subjects Required | Must have studied Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology in 12th standard. |
| Minimum Marks | At least 60% marks (General/OBC) or 55% (SC/ST/PwD) in aggregate. |
| Age Limit | Born on or after August 1, 2005 (relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST/PwD). |
🧭 Exam Pattern
| Feature | Details |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 3 hours 30 minutes |
| Total Sections | 4 (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics) |
| Questions | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Total Marks | 150 marks |
| Scoring | Sectional choice — best three sections considered for merit list |
| Negative Marking | Yes (varies by section) |
📚 Syllabus Overview
The NEST syllabus is based on the NCERT Class XI and XII syllabus in:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Biology
Tip: Focus on conceptual understanding, logical reasoning, and scientific aptitude.
🏛️ Participating Institutes & Seats
| Institute | Total Seats (approx.) |
| NISER, Bhubaneswar | 200 |
| UM–DAE CEBS, Mumbai | 60 |
💻 Application Process
- Visit the official website: https://www.nestexam.in
- Register with a valid email ID and mobile number
- Fill out the application form
- Upload required documents (photo, signature, certificates)
- Pay the application fee online
| Category | Fee |
| General / OBC (Male) | ₹1,200 |
| SC / ST / PwD / Female | ₹600 |
📈 Result & Merit List
- Results are declared online at nestexam.in.
- Merit list is prepared based on the best three sections’ scores.
- Separate merit lists are made for NISER and CEBS admissions.
💡 Quick Links
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