How can you get admission to CEBS?
To get admission to CEBS, you need to clear the National Entrance Screening Test (NEST), which is a common entrance exam for admission to CEBS and NISER.
NEST is conducted annually in May or June, and the Application process usually starts in January. NEST is a computer-based test that consists of four sections: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology.
Earlier, four sections were mandatory, but now, only three sections are mandatory for both the Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (CEBS) and NISER.
You can choose any combination of subjects for the subject section, but you need to score well in at least three subjects to qualify for CEBS. The syllabus for NEST is not only based on the CBSE curriculum of classes 11 and 12 but also expects one must have a good understanding of the basic concepts and principles of the subjects, as well as their applications and implications in the real world.
The admission to CEBS is based on the merit list prepared by NEST, and the number of seats available for each specialization. The admission process also involves counselling and the verification of documents. You can find more details about the eligibility criteria, application procedure, exam pattern, syllabus, and cut-off marks here.
This blog will give details about getting admission to UM-DAE CEBS.
Stay Tuned!
Important Dates for NEST 2025:
NEST exam application opens (online) | 17th February 2025 |
NEST exam application closes (online) | 09th May 2025 |
Correction and Update Window | 10-14 May 2025 |
Download the NEST exam admit card | 02nd June 2025 |
Date of NEST Examination | 22nd June 2025 |
Date of NEST Result Announcement | Yet to be Announced |
Eligibility Criteria :
To be eligible for CEBS 2025, candidates must fulfill specific criteria.
- Candidates must have passed the class XII examination from any recognised Board in India in the years 2023 or 2024 or should be appearing for the same in 2025
- There is no age limit for appearing in the NEST 2025 examination and admission to either UM-DAE CEBS or NISER.
- Students appearing for their 12th board exams in 2025, including first and second droppers, are eligible.
- The minimum percentage required in the class 12 board exams is 55% for SC, ST, or PWD candidates and 60% for all other categories.
Application Fee:
- Female Applicants (irrespective of category) – Rs. 700
- Applicants in SC/ST and Divyangjan category – Rs. 700
- Male/Other Applicants of UR/OBC Category – Rs. 1400
Exam Pattern for NEST 2025
You must first understand the exam pattern to build your strategy to secure a good score.
- The exam will be computer-based (CBT Mode).
- The language of the question paper will be Hindi and English. The English question paper will be considered the standard if there is any confusion/discrepancy due to language.
- The question paper will consist of four sections of objective (MCQ) – type questions. Each section is worth 60 marks and will contain subject-specific questions from biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics.
- Each section will have 20 questions, with exactly one correct answer.
- Marking scheme:
- Marking the correct answer will fetch 3 marks.
- Choosing an incorrect answer will lead to a deduction of 1 mark, and,
- No marks will be deducted for not answering a question.
- Note that it is in the candidate’s interest to attempt all sections.
- The merit list for both institutes will be prepared using the best three scores out of the four sections, and the section with the worst score will not be considered. That is, scores out of 180 will be considered for preparing the merit list.
How to Prepare for NEST?
Now you may have a deeper insight into what to cover and what not to miss at all. Let’s talk about preparation.
At this point, you can craft your own preparation strategy. A good preparation strategy is where you work on and improve your weak points, and aim never to repeat them. Be like Tony Stark – “Learn from your Mistakes” to always be prepared.
But how can you do that?
Practice as many mock tests and previous year papers as you can. And most importantly, make sure to analyze them after every attempt, identify your weak points and work on them.
Remember: Think like a scientist while studying, and analyze like a scientist while going through your mocks, to become a scientist. Because if you don’t become a scientist now, you may not become one in the future.
Here are some resources to get you started:
- Leverage SciAstra’s newly launched All-India Mock Test Series for IAT, NEST.
- You may consider Enrolling in SciAstra’s Courses for Structured Guidance:
- Vikram 2.0 Batch (IAT & NEST 2025) + Crash Course (Hinglish).
- Kalam Batch (IAT & NEST 2025) + Crash Course (English).
- Mentorship by alumni from IISc, IISERs, and NISER.
- Get benefits from SciAstra’s Book for all-in-one guidance of exams including IAT, NEST, IACS, ISI and CMI – Mastering Combo – Class 11th and 12th.
About us: Sciastra
At SciAstra, we guide students who want to become scientists and pursue research by helping them secure admissions in the top colleges for the same like IISER, NISER, CEBS, ICAR, CMI, etc.
Our mentors are from the top research institutes like IISER, NISER, IACS, CMI, ISI, IISC Bangalore, and so on. If you are looking to prepare for IAT / NEST 2025, you can check out our courses and get access to live classes, recorded lectures, study material, mock tests, doubt-clearing classes, and much more!