NEST 2027: Application, Dates, Pattern, Syllabus & PYQs

The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) 2027 will be conducted for admission to the five-year Integrated MSc programmes offered by NISER Bhubaneswar and CEBS Mumbai. The NEST 2026 application process for the exam is expected to begin in the first week of January 2027 on the official NEST website, nestexam.in.

The NEST 2027 exam will tentatively be conducted in the first week of June 2027 in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode at designated test centres across India.

If you are planning to appear for NEST 2027, this SciAstra blog provides all the important information about the examination, including the application process, important dates, exam pattern, syllabus, eligibility criteria, and other key details.

What is the National Entrance Screening Test (NEST)?

The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) is a national-level entrance examination conducted for admission to five-year integrated programmes in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology offered at two institutes: 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), both of which function under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India.

About NISER Bhubaneswar

NISER, located near Bhubaneswar in Odisha, is an off-campus centre of the Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), a deemed-to-be university established by DAE. Academic programmes of NISER are affiliated with HBNI. This institute was established in 2007.

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About UM–DAE CEBS, Mumbai

UM-DAE CEBS, located on the Vidyanagari campus of the University of Mumbai (UM), was established jointly by DAE and UM in 2007. Academic programmes of CEBS are affiliated with the University of Mumbai.

NEST 2027: Highlights

Candidates preparing for the NEST 2027 examination must be familiar with all the important details related to the exam and plan their preparation strategy accordingly. Check out the key highlights of the NEST 2027 exam below:

NEST 2027 Notification

The NEST 2027 notification will be an official document containing all the information about the exam. It will tentatively be published in the first week of February 2027 on the official NEST exam website – nestexam.in.

The notification will contain the following details:

NEST 2027 Dates

The official dates for NEST 2027 will be announced along with the NEST 2027 notification on the official website, nestexam.in. Based on the previous year's schedule, candidates can check the tentative NEST 2027 dates below.

NEST 2027 Eligibility Criteria

NISER Bhubaneswar and CEBS Mumbai have prescribed specific eligibility criteria for admission to their five-year Integrated MSc programmes through NEST 2027. Only candidates who fulfil these requirements will be eligible to apply for the examination. Check out the NEST 2027 eligibility criteria below.

NEST 2027 Application Form

The NEST 2027 application process will be conducted entirely online through the official NEST website. The NEST 2027 application form is expected to be released in the first week of February 2027.

Candidates will be able to submit the application form until the last date for registration, which is tentatively expected to fall in the second week of May 2027. To fill out the NEST 2027 application form, follow the steps given below:

• Visit nestexam.in.

• Click on the “Registration” option.

• Enter your email address and mobile number.

• Generate a password and save details.

• Log in again and enter your personal and educational details and address for communication.

• Upload your passport-size photo and a scanned copy of your signature.

• Pay the application fee online using Net Banking, UPI or credit/debit card.

• Submit the application and download its copy as a PDF.

NEST 2027 Pattern

The NEST exam pattern outlines the structure and format of the examination. It includes important details such as the type and number of questions, exam mode, duration, medium of the examination, and marking scheme. Candidates can refer to the overview of the NEST 2027 exam pattern provided below.

Check out the details related to NEST 2027 exam sections:

Note: The NEST 2027 merit list for NISER, Bhubaneswar, and UM-DAE CEBS, Mumbai, will be prepared using the best three scores out of the four sections, and the section with the lowest score will not be considered.

NEST Marking Scheme 2027

Refer to the following details related to the marking scheme for NEST 2027:

• 1 correct attempt = +3 marks

• 1 wrong attempt = -1 mark
  

NEST 2027 Syllabus

The NEST 2027 syllabus is expected to be based on the NCERT Class 11 and Class 12 curricula for Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. Detailed information regarding the syllabus will be released along with the official NEST 2027 notification.

NEST 2027 Admit Card

The NEST admit card is a mandatory document that candidates must carry to the examination centre for identity verification and entry into the exam hall. The NEST 2027 admit card is tentatively expected to be released in the fourth week of June 2027 on the official NEST website.

Use the following steps to download the admit card:

• Go to the official NEST website — nestexam.in.

• Click on the “Login” option.

• Enter your login details: Username/Application Number and Password.

• Your admit card will appear on the screen.

• Click on the download option to save the admit card as a PDF.

NEST Previous Year Question Papers (2026-2009) with Solutions

The NEST previous year question papers (PYQs) are among the best resources to prepare for NEST 2027, as they can help students understand the important topics from which questions are asked in the exam.

The PYQs from 2020 to 2026 are particularly useful for preparation, as they provide insights into the recent exam pattern and question types. By solving these PYQs regularly, candidates can understand the NEST 2027 exam pattern, identify important topics, and improve their speed and accuracy.

Candidates can also use the previous year question papers to assess their preparation, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and practise solving questions within the allotted time.

The PDFs of NEST PYQs with solutions are available below:

NEST 2027 Result

The NEST 2027 result will be announced in the fourth week of July 2026 (tentative) on the official website — nestexam.in. Candidates can download their scorecards by logging into their login accounts using their application number/email ID and password.

The exam consists of four sections, but while preparing the NEST 2027 merit list, only the marks from the top three scoring sections will be considered. Additionally, section-wise cut-offs will also be applied.