NEST 2026: Documents Required, Eligibility and Registration Details

NISER and UM DAE-CEBS are all set to start the NEST 2026 Registration from January 5, 2026, onwards. Candidates who are interested in pursuing their UG degree in a  five-year Integrated BSc–MSc programme at prestigious institutes such as NISER Bhubaneswar and UM–DAE CEBS Mumbai must register for the NEST 2026 exam. In order to ensure a smooth and successful registration process, candidates must be well-prepared with all the required documents before completing the NEST 2026 Registration Form.

Candidates will be given approximately four months to complete the application process, and the last date to submit the NEST 2026 registration form will be April 6, 2026. The NEST 2026 exam is scheduled to be conducted on June 6, 2026, at 140 exam centres across the country in online (CBT) mode, in a single shift from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

The NEST 2026 application process involves multiple steps like and one of the main tasks is uploading essential documents that help the exam authorities verify a candidate’s personal details, academic qualifications, and eligibility criteria. Any error or mismatch in the uploaded documents can lead to delays or even rejection of the application form.

It is important for the candidates to note that having the NEST 2026 Documents Required ready not only saves time but also minimises the chances of making mistakes during form submission. Uploading from a recent passport-size photograph and scanned signature to academic certificates, photo identity proof, and category-related documents, each document plays a significant role in completing the NEST application form. It must be noted that candidates belonging to reserved categories or PwD categories must pay special attention in order to upload valid and updated certificates as per the prescribed guidelines.

This article by SciAstra.com will provide complete insight into the documents required for the NEST 2026 application form, along with helpful tips and important instructions to ensure a hassle-free registration experience.

Latest Updates:

• NEST Past 10 Years Question Papers

NEST Registration Dates 2026

Candidates seeking admission to the 5-year Integrated MSc courses at NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS, Mumbai, must know all the important NEST 2026 exam dates. Check out the important NEST 2026 Registration dates from here:

Also Read: NEST 2026 Selection Process

What is the last date to fill NEST 2026 application form?

The last date to fill out the NEST Registration Form 2026 will be April 6, 2026. If the exam officials encounter the less registrations, they might increase the NEST 2026 application deadline. As per the previous year trends, the application form deadline is extended for 2-3 days. Interested applicants are advised to fill out the form well in advance to have a hassle-free admission process.

Also Read: NEST 2026 Exam Pattern

NEST 2026 Eligibility Criteria?

Only the candidates meeting the minimal NEST 2026 eligibility criteria will be able to appear for the examination. NEST eligibility criteria 2026 stipulate the educational, national and age limit criteria that a candidate needs to satisfy. Check out the NEST eligibility in the section below:

• Educational Requirement:

1. 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.

2. Unreserved Candidates need to secure at least 60% in aggregate in the XII standard board examination. For SC/ST/Divyangjan candidates, this requirement is 55%.

3. Candidates seeking admission to NISER and UM–DAE CEBS for the Integrated MSc 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.

4. 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.

• Age limit:

There is no upper age limit for appearing in the NEST 2026 examination and admission to either NISER or UM-DAE CEBS provided all the above eligibility criteria are fulfilled.

• Subject Combination:

In Class 11, Students need to choose the Science stream and must have studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Mathematics.

List of Documents Required to Fill NEST 2026 Application Form

It is important for the candidates to know what documents are required to fill the NEST 2026 Application Form. Here is the list of the updated documents that candidates need while filling out the NEST 2026 application form:

1. Recent Passport-Size Photograph

• A candidate needs to provide a clear, recent colour photograph.

• It is preferred that the photo needs to be taken against a light or white background.

• It is important for the candidates to note that their faces must be clearly visible without any shadows.

• Please avoid wearing caps, sunglasses, or masks.

2. Scanned Signature of the Candidate

• The signature should be done using a black or blue ink pen on white paper.

• It must match the candidate’s signature used in official records.

• Ensure the signature is neat and clearly visible.

3. Class 10 Marksheet or Certificate

• Used for date of birth verification.

• Candidates must enter details exactly as mentioned in the Class 10 certificate.

• A scanned copy may be required for reference or upload (if asked).

4. Class 12 Marksheet / Appearing Certificate

• Candidates who have passed Class 12 must keep their marksheet ready.

• Those appearing in 2026 may need to upload a self-declaration or select the “appearing” option in the form.

• Ensure subject details are accurate.

5. Valid Photo Identity Proof

Candidates need to keep any one of the following ID proofs ready:

• Aadhaar Card

• School ID Card

• Passport

• Voter ID

• PAN Card

• Driving Licence

The details entered in the application form must match the ID proof exactly.

6. Category Certificate (If Applicable)

Applicable for candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC-NCL, or EWS categories.

• The certificate must be issued by a competent authority.

• OBC candidates must ensure the certificate clearly mentions Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) status.

• Certificates should be valid as per the guidelines mentioned in the NEST 2026 notification.

7. PwD Certificate (If Applicable)

• Candidates applying under the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) category must upload a valid disability certificate.

• The certificate should mention the percentage of disability as per government norms.

8. Debit/Credit Card or Net Banking Details

Although not a document, candidates must keep payment details ready for online fee payment, such as:

• Debit Card

• Credit Card

• Net Banking

• UPI (if enabled)

NEST 2026 Registration Form: Document Size and Dimensions

Based on the document requirements, here is a table of the specifications for the photograph, signature, and caste certificate.

NEST Exam 2026 Test Series Launched

The SciaAstra team has recently launched a FOCUS test series, which will emphasise Full Online Controlled Understanding and Simulation, helping candidates experience the real-time environment of the NEST 2026.

The NEST 2026 FOCUS mock test is designed based on the official exam pattern, and the difficulty level is determined through an in-depth analysis of previous years’ question papers. Candidates will get Unit-wise, Half-length, and Full-length test series, covering all chapters to assess their domain understanding, cognitive skills, and analytical abilities as per the NEST 2026 syllabus.

Attempt the NEST Exam 2026 Test Series to check your exam preparation level to get admissions to the participating institutes here:

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Read More: How to Fill NEST 2026 Application Form