To appear for the National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) 2027, candidates must meet the NEST eligibility criteria 2027. According to the eligibility criteria, candidates must have passed Class 12 or be appearing for Class 12 or an equivalent examination in 2027. These examinations are referred to as the qualifying examination for NEST.
Candidates belonging to the General or Open category must secure a minimum of 60% marks in the qualifying examination. The minimum qualifying marks for SC/ST/PwD category candidates are 55%, as per the NEST 2027 eligibility requirements.
To check the NEST 2027 eligibility criteria in detail, including qualifications, age limit, subject requirements, and reservation, refer to this article.
NEST Eligibility Criteria 2027
The NEST 2027 will tentatively be held in the first week of June 2027 for admission to the integrated MSc courses offered by NISER Bhubaneswar and the University of Mumbai – DAE CEBS, Mumbai. To appear for the test, candidates must fill out the NEST 2027 application form at nestexam.in. Only those candidates who meet the NEST eligibility criteria 2027 should fill out the NEST 2027 application form to avoid cancellation of their candidature during the admission process.
Check out the detailed eligibility criteria for NEST 2027 below:
NEST Eligibility Criteria 2027: Qualifications Required
The NEST Exam 2027 qualification requirements are as follows:
Class 12 pass in Science stream from a recognised state or central board in 2025 or 2026.
Candidates who are going to appear for the Class 12 final exam in 2027 can also apply for the exam. They need their final scorecard at the time of admission.
NEST Eligibility Criteria 2027: Minimum Qualifying Marks
Candidates need the marks equal to or more than the minimum qualifying marks specified by NISER Bhuabneswar and CEBS Mumbai to appear for NEST 2027. The minimum qualifying marks details are as follows:
60% marks in Class 12 board exam for general and OBC candidates.
55% marks in Class 12 for SC/ST/PwD candidates.
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.
NEST Eligibility Criteria 2027: Age Limits
There is no upper or lower age limit to appear for NEST 2027. Candidates only need to meet criteria related to qualifications, marks, subject requirements and nationality.
NEST Eligibility Criteria 2027: Subjects Required in Class 12 (Qualifying Exam)
Candidates must be from the science stream, with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) or Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) as subjects in Classes 11 and 12, to appear for NEST 2027.
The NEST question paper contains questions from Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology. There are 20 questions from each subject in the exam. The marks obtained in the three highest-scoring sections among PCMB will be considered for calculating the NEST 2027 result.
NEST Eligibility Criteria 2027: Nationality
Only Indian citizens are allowed to appear for NEST 2027.
NEST 2027 Seat Intake
NISER and UM-DAE CEBS release a category-wise seat intake list for admissions through the NEST exam. Candidates can check the seat intake details for NEST 2027 below:
NEST 2027 Seat Intake | ||
Category | NISER | UM-DAE CEBS |
General | 101 | 23 |
General – Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 0 | 06 |
OBC - Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) | 54 | 15 |
SC | 30 | 09 |
ST | 15 | 04 |
Divyangjan (PwS) | 5% seats in each category | 5% seats in each category |
Total | 200 | 57 |
NEST 2027 Reservation Criteria
NISER Bhubaneswar and CEBS Mumbai have reserved some seats for candidates belonging to different categories. The details of the category-wise seat reservation are provided below:
NEST 2027 Reservation: Other Backward Classes belonging to the Non–Creamy Layer (OBC–NCL)
27% of seats are reserved for OBC–NCL. The class should have been mentioned in the central list of OBCs (http://www.ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/CentralListStateView.aspx). If offered admission under the OBCNCL category, the candidate must produce the relevant valid certificate on the date of admission.
Candidates belonging to the creamy layer of OBC are NOT entitled to reservation. Such candidates are treated as belonging to the Unreserved (UR) category. The Socially and Educationally Backward
Classes (SEBC) as notified by some of the State Governments, are, as such, not eligible to avail any reservation unless they satisfy the OBC–NCL criteria.
NEST 2027 Reservation: Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST)
15% of seats are reserved for the SC category candidates and 7.5% of seats are reserved for the ST category candidates.
The benefit of reservation will be given only to those castes and tribes that are mentioned in the respective lists of corresponding states published by the Government of India: (https://socialjustice.gov.in/ and https://tribal.nic.in/downloads/statistics/ListScheduledTribes26092025.pdf).
NEST 2027 Reservation: Economically Weaker Section
Reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) of society is allowed in the Unreserved (UR)- EWS category for admission to UM-DAE CEBS only.
NEST 2027 Reservation: Divangjan / Person with Disability (PwD) Candidates
5% of seats are reserved in every category, i.e., Unreserved (UR), OBC–NCL, SC and ST for persons with disabilities (Divyangjan).
Benefit would be given only to those with at least 40% impairment, irrespective of the type of disability.
Leprosy–cured candidates who are otherwise medically fit to pursue the course are also included in this subcategory. Candidates are advised to ensure that the certificate is in accordance with the latest guidelines of the Government of India (visit the website
of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Department of Disability Affairs for the latest information: https://disabilityaffairs.gov.in).
The reservation for Divyangjan candidates is horizontal and hence, unfilled seats will be allotted to candidates belonging to the respective categories, for e.g., unfilled seats reserved for Divyangjan in the SC category will be allotted to other candidates within the SC category and so on. If selected, the candidates must produce all original certificates at the time of admission, failing which, the offer of admission will be cancelled.
NEST 2027 Reservation Important Points
The number of seats reserved for SC, ST, OBC (Non–Creamy–Layer), and Divyangjan candidates is according to the Government of India norms. To claim seats under the reserved category, relevant documents must be furnished at the time of admission.
All category certificates should be written in either English or Hindi. In case certificates are written in any other language, a translated copy, duly notarized, must also be provided.
Two supernumerary seats are reserved at both NISER and CEBS for eligible candidates from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, as per existing government regulations.
Candidates not belonging to the non-creamy layer (NCL) are not eligible for reservation and must apply under the General category.
NEST 2027 Courses Offered
Through the NEST 2027 exam, candidates can get admission to the National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar (NISER Bhubaneswar), and the Department of Atomic Energy – Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences, University of Mumbai (University of Mumbai – DAE CEBS, Mumbai). These institutes offer admission to the following courses through the exam:
Integrated 5-year Master of Science in Biology
Integrated 5-year Master of Science in Physics
Integrated 5-year Master of Science in Chemistry
Integrated 5-year Master of Science in Mathematics
NEST 2027: Important Dates
If you are checking the NEST eligibility criteria 2027 and planning to apply for the exam, make sure to go through the following dates related to the exam.
NEST 2027 Exam Schedule | |
Events | Dates (Tentative) |
NEST 2027 Notification | First Week of January 2027 |
NEST 2027 Registration Starts | First Week of January 2027 |
NEST 2027 Last Date for Registration | Second Week of April 2027 |
NEST 2027 Last Date to Submit Fee | Second Week of April 2027 |
NEST 2027 Mock Test Opens | Second Week of April 2027 |
NEST 2027 Application Correction Window | Third Week of April 2027 |
NEST 2027 Admit Card | Third Week of May 2027 |
NEST 2027 Exam | First Week of June 2027 |
NEST 2027 Provisional Answer Key | Second Week of June 2027 |
NEST 2027 Provisional Answer Objection Window | Third Week of June 2027 |
NEST 2027 Final Answer Key | First Week of July 2027 |
NEST 2027 Result | Fourth Week of July 2027 |
NEST UG 2027 Counselling Begins | Third Week of July 2027 |
Also Read:
NEST 2027 Application Process
After exploring the eligibility criteria for NEST 2027, candidates must know how to apply for the exam application form. They can refer to the following steps to fill out the NEST 2027 application form:
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 a credit/debit card.
Submit the application and download its copy as a PDF.
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Conclusion
NEST 2027 is the pathway for students seeking admission to Integrated MSc programmes at NISER Bhubaneswar and UM–DAE CEBS. Candidates must ensure they meet the NEST 2027 eligibility criteria before filling out the NEST 2027 application form to avoid cancellation of their candidature. As per the eligibility criteria, candidates should have passed Class 12 in 2025 or 2026. Candidates appearing for Class 12 in 2027 can also apply for the exam. These candidates will need to present their final marksheet at the time of counselling. The minimum qualifying marks in Class 12 are 60% and 55% for General and OBC categories and SC/ST/PwD categories, respectively.
