Stipends Offered Through NEST 2026: NISER Bhubaneswar and the University of Mumbai – Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-DAE CEBS) are two of India's most prestigious institutions for research-oriented science education.
Both institutes operate under the direct purview of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India, the organisation that leads the country's atomic and nuclear research programmes. They are recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
One of the most significant advantages of studying at NISER or CEBS is the financial support available to Integrated MSc students.
Admissions to both institutes are conducted through the National Entrance Screening Test (NEST), and all qualifying candidates become eligible for stipends and scholarships offered through NEST.
This financial support makes quality research education accessible without financial burden.
If you are going to appear for NEST 2026, you can check scholarships or stipends offered through the exam to students in this SciAstra article.
BREAKING NEWS!
Solving previous years' papers is one of the best ways to understand the NEST exam pattern. For structured revision and concept clarity, students often explore the IAT & NEST Crash Course 2026.
Which Institutes Offer Stipends through NEST?
The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) is a compulsory online computer-based test for admission to the five-year Integrated MSc programmes 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).
Therefore, the two participating institutes, NISER Bhubaneswar and CEBS Mumbai, offer stipends through NEST.
About NISER Bhubanewar
The National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneshwar, is a unique institution in India, committed to the generation, dissemination and preservation of knowledge in basic sciences, integrated with the goal to create a zeal and fervour in the minds of the young buds of the nation towards a scientific temper.
The Institute is affiliated with Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Mumbai, a deemed research university that oversees academic programmes at Institutions that are part of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) structure.
The institute was officially founded on 6th September 2007 after the approval of the Union Cabinet. It is located in Jatni Town, Orissa.
The institute offers five-year Integrated MSc programmes in the Basic Sciences, 2-year MSc Programme in 'Medical & Radiological Physics' + 1-year internship and PhD & Integrated PhD Programmes.
About UM-DAE CEBS
The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India, and the University of Mumbai, Vidyanagari Campus, jointly launched, in September 2007, a Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (CEBS) offering high-quality undergraduate teaching embedded in a postgraduate and research environment. CEBS offers a five-year Integrated MSc programme in the Basic Sciences for students who have completed 10+2 schooling or its equivalent and a PhD programme.
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NEST 2026 Offered Stipends (Scholarship)
All candidates who qualify for the NEST exam and get admission to a 5-year integrated MSc course will be eligible for stipends offered through NEST 2026. The stipend amount is mentioned below:
How much Stipends can students receive through NEST 2026?
The primary financial benefit for students clearing NEST is the DISHA (Diffusion of Innovative Science and HealthCare Analysis) scholarship.
It is sponsored by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE); this programme is designed to nurture the next generation of scientists. The total annual scholarship/stipend for the students of 5-year integrated MSc courses is INR 60,000 (INR 5,000 per month).
NEST 2026 Stipends/Scholarship | ||
Component | Amount | Frequency |
Monthly Stipend | ₹5,000 | Monthly (₹60,000/year) |
Summer Grant | ₹20,000 | Annually |
Total Annual Support | ₹80,000 | - |
Over the course of the five-year Integrated MSc programme, a student receives a cumulative total of INR 400,000 in financial assistance. This amount is more than the annual 5-year Integrated MSc fees of NISER Bhubaneswar and CEBS Mumbai.
NISER Bhubaneswar and CEBS Mumbai Summer Internship Grant
The scholarship recipients receive a grant of INR 20,000/- per annum for summer internships. Candidates selected by DST for the INSPIRE-SHE programme are endorsed for the INSPIRE scholarship by NISER and UM-DAE CEBS.
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How to get the NEST 2026 Scholarship?
To receive the scholarship from NEST 2026, candidates will have to follow the steps mentioned below:
1. Fill out the NEST application form
Candidates need to first fill out the NEST 2026 application form if they meet the NEST 2026 eligibility criteria. To fill out the form, they must visit the NEST official website - nestexam.in.
The last date to fill out the application form is April 6, 2026.
2. Download the NEST Admit Card
The NEST 2026 admit card is the mandatory document that candidates need to carry to the test centre and take the test. Along with this document, they must carry an original copy of a government-issued photo ID proof, such as an Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, or Passport to the centre.
The NEST 2026 admit card will be released on May 15, 2026 at nestexam.in.
3. Take NEST 2026
Candidates must take the NEST 2026. The exam will be conducted on June 6, 2026 in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode at test centres across India.
4. Qualify for the NEST Selection Process
To qualify for the NEST 2026 selection process, candidates must ensure that they get selected in the NEST 2026 merit list. This selection process is based on two parameters: Section-Wise Minimum Admissible Score (SMAS) and Minimum Admissible Percentile (MAP). These parameters can be determined after the release of the NEST 2026 results.
5. NEST Counselling
Once you are selected in the NEST 2026 merit list, you will be invited to participate in the NEST counselling process. To participate in the process, you must fill out the counselling registration form, submit the required documents, and pay the admission fee.
After the successful completion of the counselling process, students of MSc Integrated Programmes will receive their monthly scholarship.
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:
Conclusion
In conclusion, the stipends offered through NEST 2026 make pursuing a research-oriented career in basic sciences both accessible and financially sustainable. With institutes like NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS providing consistent financial support, students can focus on academic excellence and research without monetary stress. The DISHA scholarship, along with additional benefits like summer grants, not only rewards merit but also encourages scientific exploration. For aspiring candidates, clearing NEST is not just a gateway to top institutions but also a step toward a secure and well-supported academic journey in science.
