NEST 2026: National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) 2026

National Entrance Screening Test

National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) 2026

NEST 2026
[National Entrance Screening Test 2026]
jointly conducted by the 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
Admission to 5-year Integrated M.Sc. programs at premier institutes like NISER and UM-DAE CEBS in Biology, Chemistry, Math, & Physics, 2026-2031

Application process will start on 05 January 2026, 10:00 A.M.

The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) is a compulsory online computer-based test for admission to the five-year Integrated M.Sc. programme offered by the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) and the University of Mumbai - Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-DAE CEBS). NISER and UM-DAE CEBS are autonomous institutions established by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India, in 2007. These institutes were started with the mandate of providing research-oriented teaching in basic sciences by faculties of practising scientists aimed at creating a national pool of human resources to lead the nation to excellence in teaching and research in basic and applied sciences.

NEST 2026 will be conducted in around 140 cities across India.
Centre List

NEST 2026 Examination

The NEST 2026 examination will be conducted at multiple centres (major towns or cities) all over India in a single session, on June 06, 2026 (Saturday). The timing of the session will be 02:00 P.M. – 05:00 P.M. Divyangjan category candidates are eligible for a compensatory time of 20 minutes per hour of examination duration as per GOI guidelines. Based on the performance in NEST 2026, a merit list of the candidates will be prepared (see merit list preparation section on page 9-12) and posted on the NEST 2026 website (www.nestexam.in) by June 25, 2026.
Note: Any changes related to NEST 2026 will be updated on the website. The dates mentioned on the website shall be final.
NEST 2026 examination will be a Computer-Based Test (CBT/online exam).

Important Dates

Activity	Dates
Online Application Opens	05 January, 2026 (10:00 A.M.)
Online Application Closes	06 April, 2026 (11:30 P.M.)
Correction & Update window	13 April, 2026 (10:00 A.M.) Until 14 April, 2026 (10:00 A.M.)
Mock Test Opens	To be announced Link will appear here
Download of Admit Card	15 May, 2026 (10:00 A.M.)
Date of Examination	06 June 2026, Saturday (02:00 P.M.)
Challenge the Answer Keys	To be announced
Result Announcement	To be announced
Scorecard Download	To be announced Only for qualified candidates

Eligibility Criteria for Admission

Candidates seeking admission to NISER and UM–DAE CEBS for the Integrated M.Sc. programme 2026–31 should have at least three out of the four disciplines of basic sciences, namely, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics, in classes XI and XII.
Candidates must have passed the class XII examination from any recognised Board in India in the year 2024 or 2025 or should be appearing for the same in 2026.
Candidates appearing for the board examination in 2026 must satisfy the eligibility criteria at the time of admission into the program.
The certificate/ provisional certificate declaring the aggregate should be from a single board.
Candidates in the unreserved category must secure at least 60% marks in aggregate or equivalent grade in class XII examination to be eligible for admission to NISER and UM-DAE CEBS. For candidates belonging to scheduled castes (SC), scheduled tribes (ST), and Divyangjan categories, the minimum requirement of marks is relaxed to 55% in aggregate or equivalent grade in class XII examination.
Where only letter grades are available, a certificate from the concerned Board specifying an equivalent percentage of marks is required to be submitted. In the absence of such a certificate, the decision of the admissions committee of the concerned institution will be final.
Candidates satisfying all the above criteria will be considered for admission strictly based on the Merit List of NEST 2026 examination. Please refer to pages 9-12 of this document for the methodology of merit list preparation.
There is no age limit for appearing in the NEST 2026 examination and admission to either NISER or UM-DAE CEBS.

Note: Necessary certificates supporting the eligibility criteria have to be furnished only at the time of admission. Admission is subject to verification of all original certificates at the time of admission/counselling. Certificates in support of the eligibility criteria need not be produced for appearing in the NEST 2026 examination.

Application Fee

Female applicants (irrespective of category): Rs. 700/-.
Applicants of SC/ST/Divyangjan category: Rs. 700/-.
Applicants of Unreserved-EWS (UR-EWS): Rs. 700/-.
Male/Other applicants of UR/OBC category: Rs. 1,400/-

How to Apply

To apply for NEST 2026, candidates must fill out the online application form linked from www.nestexam.in website only. The online application process closes on April 06, 2026 (11:30 P.M.) unless extended for some reason.

Phase-1: Candidates need to REGISTER themselves first before applying online. During this process some basic information like Name, DoB, eMail-ID, Mobile#, Class X Roll# have to be entered. Provide name and DoB strictly as per certificate. These details cannot be modified. The process sends login credentials via eMail within 30 minutes (max).
Phase-2: One can LOGIN and proceed to application only after receiving the credentials. Additionally, Forgot Password and Change Password options are there. On successful login, one can click "Go to Application" (on top-right) and provide the required details. Application can be filled partially and saved to be completed later before final submission.
Phase-3: Seeking technical support is generally not needed if everything goes well. If needed, the query/complaint should first be raised by clicking HELPDESK after login. A suitable problem type has to be chosen from drop-down list and a brief description has to be provided. Screenshot of error page / unsuccessful payment can be uploaded. Alternatively, the tech.support can be contacted over phone.

CONTACT
Technical Support (Agency):
022-61306266 (Mon-Sat 10:00-13:30 and 14:30-17:00)
General Assistance (NISER):
0674-2494017 (Mon-Fri 10:00-13:00 and 15:00-17:00 except public holidays)
nest-exam@niser.ac.in

Information Brochure Syllabus for NEST 2026
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