National Entrance Screening Test, commonly known as NEST, is a national-level computer-based exam for admission to the five years integrated M.Sc program in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics at National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar and University of Mumbai - Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-DAE CEBS), Mumbai.
National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar and the University of Mumbai - Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-DAE CEBS), Mumbai jointly conducts NEST exam once a year for admission to the five years integrated M.Sc program in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
It is a computer-based test. The question paper will be available in English and Hindi language. The difficulty of the exam is perceived from moderate to difficult.
NEST 2025 Exam Dates
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Events
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Dates
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Availability of Application Form
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Jan 5, 2026, to April 6, 2026. |
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Last Date to Fill up the Application Form
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April 6, 2026. |
| Correction & Update window | 10 Mat to 14 May 2026 |
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Admit Card Download
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May 15, 2026. |
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Date of NEST Examination
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June 6, 2026 (2:00 PM - 5:30 PM). |
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Results Date
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second week of July 2026 |
NEST 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the NEST exam is as follows:
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Eligibility: Candidates must have passed Class XII (Science) in 2024, 2025, or 2026 with at least 60% aggregate marks (55% for SC/ST/Divyangjan).
Candidates should have passed Class 12. Candidates who have appeared for their Class 12 exams in 2022 are also eligible to apply.
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Candidates should have studied a combination of three subjects - Biology, Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics in Classes 11 and 12.
NEST 2026 Eligiblity Criteria
- The candidates who have cleared the 12th Standard examination or equivalent in 2022, 2023 or those who will be appearing for the 12th Standard examination or equivalent in 2024, irrespective of category and age, will be considered to be eligible for admission to the Integrated M.Sc. programme of NISER/CEBS in 2024.
- At least 60% marks in aggregate (or equivalent grade) in Class XII examination from any recognized Board in India. For Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) candidates and for Divyangjan candidates, the minimum requirement is 55%.
- Candidate should secure a position in the NEST 2024 merit list.
NEST 2026 Application Fee
The NEST 2025 application fee for different categories is mentioned below.
NEST Exam Pattern 2026 Highlights
The NEST exam pattern highlights are as given below.
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Exam Name: NEST 2025
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Exam Mode: Online i.e., Computer-Based Test
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Number of Papers: 1
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Number of Sections: 5
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Name of the Subjects: General Ability, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology
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Type of Questions: Multiple Type Questions (MCQs)
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Number of Questions: 230
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Maximum Marks Considered: 180
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Marking Scheme: +1 for Every Correct Answer
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Negative Marking: Only for Section 2 to Section 5
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Duration of the Exam: 3 Hours and 30 Minutes
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Language: English
NEST 2026 Exam Pattern Section-wise Marks Distribution
For each section marks allocated differ. Weightage of marks given to each section varies. These details are provided below.
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Section 1 (General Ability): 30
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Section 2 (Physics): 50
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Section 3 (Chemistry): 50
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Section 4 (Mathematics): 50
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Section 5 (Biology): 50
Refer to the offcial publisher here
