The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) serves as the primary gateway for admission to the 5-year Integrated MSc programs in basic sciences at NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai. Conducted annually as a computer-based test, it targets science stream students seeking elite research-oriented education with scholarships.
NEST is a national-level entrance exam organized by the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) Bhubaneswar for admissions to Integrated MSc programs in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics. These autonomous DAE institutions offer residential programs with state-of-the-art facilities, annual scholarships of Rs 60,000 via DISHA, and opportunities for summer internships and PhD pathways at top institutes like BARC. The exam emphasizes conceptual understanding over rote learning, drawing from NCERT Class 11-12 syllabus.
NEST 2026, conducted by NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai, is a national-level entrance for 5-year Integrated MSc programs in basic sciences. The computer-based test occurs once yearly on June 6, spanning 3 hours 30 minutes with 80 MCQs across four sections.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | National Entrance Screening Test |
| Conducting Body | NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai |
| Exam Level | Undergraduate Exam at National Level |
| Exam Frequency | Once a Year |
| Mode of Exam | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
| Courses Offered | Integrated MSc (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics) |
| Exam Fees | INR 1,400 (Male General/OBC); INR 700 (Females all categories, Male SC/ST/PwD) |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours 30 minutes |
| Exam Timing | 2 PM to 5:30 PM (June 6, 2026) |
| Total Marks | 240 (Best 3 sections: 180 for merit) |
| Total Questions | 80 (20 per section) |
| Total Sections | 4 (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics) |
| Marking Scheme | +3 (correct), -1 (wrong), 0 (unanswered) |
| Language/Medium | English and Hindi |
| Colleges Accepting Score | NISER Bhubaneswar, UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai (2 colleges) |
| Total Seats | 261 (NISER: 200+ supernumerary; CEBS: 57+ supernumerary) |
| Number of Exam Cities | 140+ |
| Official Website | www.nestexam.in |
| Contact Details | Helpline: 0674-2494017; Email: nest-exam@niser.ac.in |
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| NEST 2026 Registration Start | January 5, 2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Application | April 6, 2026 (11:30 PM) |
| Application Correction Window | April 13–14, 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | May 15, 2026 (10 AM) |
| Mock Test Release | To be announced |
| NEST 2026 Exam Date | June 6, 2026 (2 PM to 5 PM) |
| Answer Key Release | To be announced |
| NEST 2026 Result | To be announced |
Candidates must have passed Class 12 in the science stream (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Biology) in 2024, 2025, or appearing in 2026 from a recognized board. General/OBC candidates need at least 60% aggregate marks (55% for SC/ST/Divyangjan), with no age limit. Qualifying NEST is mandatory, and eligibility documents are verified at admission.
The NEST features four sections—Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics—each with 20 MCQs worth 60 marks (total 240 marks, 3.5 hours duration). Scoring awards +3 for correct answers, -1 for incorrect, and 0 for unanswered; merit uses the best three sections (max 180 marks). It's a single-shift CBT in English/Hindi, with Section-wise Minimum Admissible Score (SMAS) at 20% of top 100 average per section (relaxed for reserved categories).
The syllabus aligns with rationalized NCERT Class 11-12 science curriculum across four subjects.
Physics: General physics, mechanics, electricity/magnetism, optics, thermal physics, modern physics.
Chemistry: Physical/inorganic/organic chemistry, atomic structure, chemical bonding, thermodynamics.
Mathematics: Algebra, calculus, geometry, trigonometry, probability, vectors.
Biology: Diversity, physiology, genetics, evolution, ecology, biotechnology.
Detailed PDFs are on nestexam.in.
Master NCERT texts for conceptual depth, as questions test application and reasoning. Practice past papers (available on nestexam.in), focus on all sections despite best-three scoring, and take mock tests for CBT familiarity. Balance study with time management, targeting SMAS and 95th percentile (MAP for general category). Reserved seats include 27% OBC-NCL, 15% SC, 7.5% ST, 5% Divyangjan (horizontal).
