The NEST 2026 registration is underway on the official NEST exam website – nestexam.in. Candidates who who meet the eligibility criteria for the exam can apply for NEST 2026 before the last registration/application date.
The last date to fill out the NEST 2026 application/registration form is April 6, 2026. The application process is completely online and candidates can complete it by filling out the form and paying the application fees according to their category.
The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) is conducted for admission to the 5-year integrated MSc programmes in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics at NISER Bhubaneswar and the University of Mumbai – DAE CEBS, Mumbai. Candidates who meet criteria related to the NEST 2026 selection process will get admission to the courses they applied for.
The NEST 2026 exam will be conducted on June 6, 2026. The direct link to apply for the exam is available on this page.
Candidates preparing for the exam for admission to the 5-year Integrated MSc courses in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, or Mathematics must know all the details to plan their preparation strategy effectively.
Check this page for complete information on the NEST 2026 application process, important dates, syllabus, exam pattern, preparation tips, and admission details. Candidates need to note that the information provided here is based on the previous year’s data. SciAstra will provide the updated details once the official NEST notification is released.
NEST Highlights 2026
NISER Bhubaneswar and the University of Mumbai – DAE CEBS, Mumbai, will conduct the National Entrance Screening Test (NEST 2026) on June 6, 2026 in online mode.
In order to get a quick summary of all the important details about NEST 2026, candidates should check the exam highlights. The following table provides these key details:
Features | Details |
Exam Name | National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) |
Exam Conducting Body |
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Exam Level | Undergraduate Level |
Courses Offered |
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Exam Mode | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
Exam Frequency | Once a year |
Registration Fee |
Note: The registration fees are subject to change. |
Type of Question | Multiple Choice Question (80 questions) |
Marking Scheme | +3 marks for each correct answer -1 mark for each incorrect answer |
Official Website | |
NEST 2026 Notification | NEST 2026 Notification |
NEST Exam 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. Considering this, SciAstra has listed these dates below:
NEST 2026 Exam Schedule | |
Events | Dates |
NEST 2026 Notification | Released |
NEST 2026 Registration Starts | January 5, 2026 (Released) |
NEST 2026 Last Date for Registration | April 6, 2026 |
NEST 2026 Last Date to Submit Fee | April 6, 2026 |
NEST 2026 Application Correction Window | April 13, 2026 to April 14, 2026 |
NEST 2026 Mock Test Opens | To be announced |
NEST 2026 Admit Card | May 15, 2026 |
NEST 2026 Exam | June 6, 2026 |
NEST 2026 Provisional Answer Key | Third Week of June 2026 |
NEST 2026 Provisional Answer Objection Window | Third week of June 2026 |
NEST 2026 Final Answer Key | First Week of July 2026 |
NEST 2026 Result | Second Week of July 2026 |
NEST UG 2026 Counselling Begins | Third Week of July 2026 |
What are the NEST 2026 Exam Dates?
NISER, UM DAE-CEBS have released the NEST 2026 exam notification. Candidates interested in taking admission to the integrated BSc-MSc courses (5-year Integrated MSc courses). NEST 2026 exam dates have also been released, and it is scheduled to be held on June 6, 2026, in online/CBT mode to test candidates’ domain knowledge in subjects like Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology and Physics.
When is the last day to apply for the NEST 2026 Application Form?
The last date to apply for the NEST 2026 Registration Form will be April 6, 2026, at 11:30 pm. Candidates interested in applying for the online registration must read all the important details, like NEST 2026 eligibility criteria, steps to fill the application form, documents required, registration fee and all other details in hand to have a hassle-free admission process.
When will the NEST 2026 application correction window open?
The NEST 2026 application correction will open on April 13, 2026 at 10 AM. Candidates can access the link to application correction at nestexam.in. The last to make corrections in the NEST 2026 application correction form is April 14, 2026 (10 AM)
NEST 2026: Offered Courses and Seat Intake
Before applying for the NEST 2026 exam, candidates must check the number of seats for admission. This will help them estimate the chances of admission considering their NEST 2026 scores:
Check out the NEST 2026 category-wise seat intake below:
NEST 2026 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 |
Note: As per government regulations, both NISER and CEBS reserve two supernumerary seats for eligible candidates from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
NEST Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates who meet the NEST 2026 eligibility criteria prescribed by NISER and CEBS can apply for NEST 2026. Therefore, before applying for the exam, check out the following eligibility requirements for NEST 2026:
Qualification |
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Minimum Qualifying Marks |
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Age Limit |
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SciAstra IAT & NEST 2026 Offline Crash Course | |
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NEST Application Form 2026
The NEST 2026 application process includes creating a candidate registration account, filling out the application form, and paying the application fee. Aspirants can follow the steps below to complete the NEST 2026 application form:
Visit the official NEST website – nestexam.in.
Click on the “Registration” option.
Enter your email address and mobile number.
Create a password and save all the details.
Log in again and enter these details: 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 2026 Application Link
Click on the provided link to apply for NEST 2026:
NEST 2026 Application Form (Direct Link) - Click Here
Refer to the video below to know how to fill out the NEST 2026 application form:
Can I change details in the NEST Application Form after submitting it?
Yes, candidates can change specific details in their NEST Application Form after submitting by logging in to their NEST registration portal/account during the application correction window.
The NEST 2026 application correction will remain open from April 13, 2026 (10 AM), to April 14, 2026 (10 AM), at nestexam.in.
During the application correction process, candidates can amend the following details:
Academic Details: Marks, passing year, or school/board names for Class 10 and Class 12.
Exam Centre Preferences: You can usually update your choice of cities for the examination.
Address: Your permanent or correspondence postal address.
Parental Details: Spelling mistakes in your Father’s or Mother’s names.
Category/Caste: In some years, a change in category is allowed (though this may require paying an additional fee if moving from a reserved to a general category).
How to pay NEST 2026 Registration Fees?
In order to pay the NEST 2026 Registration Fees, candidates can follow the steps mentioned below:
At first, candidates need to visit the official website nestexam.in and complete the registration.
Log in using your credentials and fill out the application form.
Proceed to the fee payment section.
Pay the fee online only via Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.
Download and save the payment receipt after successful payment.
What are the NEST 2026 Eligibility Criteria?
Candidates are advised to meticulously check out the minimal NEST eligibility criteria 2026 in order not to lose their candidature during any stage of the admission process:
Educational Requirement:
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.
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%.
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.
What is the NEST 2026 Registration Fee?
It is important for the candidates to know about the NEST 2026 registration before applying for the application form. Candidates must note that the NEST 2026 application fees will vary for different categories.
Here is the category-wise distribution of the NEST 2026 registration fee:
Female applicants (irrespective of category): ₹700
Applicants of SC/ST/ Divyangjan category: ₹700
Applicants of Unreserved-EWS (UR-EWS): ₹700
Male/Other applicants of UR/OBC category: ₹1,400
NEST Exam Pattern 2026
The NEST 2026 question paper will consist of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) divided into four sections: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. There will be a total of 240 questions in the question paper, and the exam duration will be 90 minutes (3 hours). NEST 2026 will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.
Refer to the table below for the section-wise exam pattern details:
NEST 2026 Exam Sections | ||
Section | No. of Questions | Total Marks |
Physics | 20 questions | 60 marks |
Chemistry | 20 questions | 60 marks |
Biology | 20 questions | 60 marks |
Mathematics | 20 questions | 60 marks |
Total | 80 questions | 240 marks |
Note: The NEST 2026 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 2026
Refer to the following details related to the marking scheme for NEST 2026:
1 correct attempt = +3 marks
1 wrong attempt = -1 mark
NEST Syllabus 2026
The NEST 2026 syllabus will cover topics from Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics taught in Classes 11 and 12, based on NCERT textbooks. The detailed and updated syllabus will be released on the official website — nestexam.in. Once announced by the exam authority, the complete syllabus will also be provided here.
NEST Admit Card 2026
The NEST 2026 admit card (hall ticket) is expected to be released on May 15, 2026 on the official website — nestexam.in. On the exam day, candidates must carry a printed, coloured copy of the admit card.
To download the NEST syllabus, use the following steps:
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 Preparation Tips 2026
Scoring well in the NEST exam requires using effective preparation tips. Candidates can use the following steps to achieve this goal: ‘
Know the NEST 2026 pattern patterns. It includes the number of sections, question type (MCQs), marking strategy, and duration of the exam (3 hours).
Concentrate on Class 11 and 12 NCERT textbooks' Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics since a majority of questions come from them.
Decide on which subjects you excel at and then spend additional time studying weaker sections.
Practise old NEST question papers to know the level of difficulty and question types.
Practise online CBT-mode mock tests for developing speed, accuracy, and time management.
Prepare small notes or formula sheets for quick revision before the exam.
Work on all four subjects equally but don't neglect Biology or Maths even if they're not your areas of strength.
What is the frequency of the NEST exam?
The NEST entrance exam is conducted once a year. It is a national-level entrance examination which is held jointly by NISER Bhubaneswar and UM–DAE CEBS Mumbai for admission to their five-year integrated MSc programmes.
Since the NEST is an annual exam, candidates get only one opportunity per year to appear for it. For the academic session 2026-2027, the NEST exam is scheduled to be conducted on June 6, 2026, in online mode at multiple centres across the nation.
When will the NEST 2026 application correction window open?
The NEST 2026 application correction will open on April 13, 2026 at 10 AM. Candidates can access the link to application correction at nestexam.in. The last to make corrections in the NEST 2026 application correction form is April 14, 2026 (10 AM)
NEST Answer Key 2026
The provisional answer key of NEST 2026 will be released in the third week of June 2026 on the official NEST website — nestexam.in. Candidates can raise objections to the answer key online. After taking all the objections into account, the exam authority will release the NEST 2026 final answer key on the same official website.
NEST Result 2026
The NEST 2026 result will be announced in the second 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 2026 merit list, only the marks from the top three scoring sections will be considered. Additionally, section-wise cut-offs will also be applied.
NEST 2026 Seat Intake
Check out the number of seats to which NISER Bhubaneswar and DAE CEBS are offering admissions through NEST 2026:
NEST 2026 Seat Intake | ||
Category | NISER Seats | UM-DAE CEBS |
Unreserved (UR) | 101 | 23 |
UR - EWS | 0 | 6 |
OBC - NCL | 54 | 15 |
SC | 30 | 9 |
ST | 15 | 4 |
Divyagjan | 5% seats in each category (UR)-05; (OBC-NCL)-03; (SC)-02; (ST)-01 | 5% seats in each category |
Total Seats | 200 | 57 |
J & K, Ladakh | 2 | 2 |
Total intake (including J & K, Ladakh) | 202 | 59 |
NEST Counselling 2026
For securing admission to NISER or UM-DAE CEBS, candidates will have to participate in the counselling process. For this they will have to first fill out the counselling registration form at nestexam.in. The NEST 2026 counselling will include the following steps:
NEST 2026 counselling registration and course choice filling
Release of the merit list
Counselling/interaction
Verification of documents
Paying admission fee
Reporting to the institute
