NEST

Key Features of NEST 2026

• A single national entrance examination for Integrated M.Sc. admissions
• Applicability to autonomous institutes under the Government of India
• Unique Integrated M.Sc. programs in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics are offered
• Use of a common merit list for admissions
• Strong emphasis on research-oriented scientific education

Important Dates for NEST 2026

The schedule for NEST 2026 has been officially notified in the Information Brochure. Candidates are advised to strictly adhere to all deadlines, as missing any date may result in rejection of the application or inability to appear for the examination. The important dates for NEST 2026 are as follows:

Candidates are advised to regularly visit the official NEST website for updates, as individual communication may not be issued for every event.

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for NEST 2026 define the conditions under which candidates are permitted to appear for the examination and be considered for admission. Eligibility is verified at the time of admission, and non-compliance may result in cancellation of candidature.

Eligibility to Appear in NEST 2026

• Must have passed the Class 12 examination from a recognised Board in India in 2024 or 2025, or
• Must be appearing for the Class 12 examination in 2026
• Must have studied at least three of the four subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics in Classes XI and XII
• The qualifying certificate or provisional certificate declaring aggregate marks must be from a single Board

Minimum Marks Requirement

• Unreserved category candidates: Minimum 60% marks in aggregate in Class 12
• SC / ST / Divyangjan candidates: Minimum 55% marks in aggregate

There is no age limit for appearing in NEST 2026 or for admission to NISER and UM–DAE CEBS.

Participating Institutes

NEST 2026 is being held for admission to 5-year integrated MSc programs in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics, in two autonomous institutions functioning under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India:

• National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar
• UM–DAE Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (CEBS), Mumbai

Both institutions were established in 2007 with the mandate of providing research-oriented teaching in basic sciences by practising scientists, aimed at building a national pool of high-quality scientific manpower.

Courses Offered through NEST

Admission through NEST 2026 is offered exclusively to the five-year Integrated M.Sc. programme in basic sciences. The programme is offered in the following disciplines:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Mathematics
• Physics

The Integrated M.Sc. programmes at NISER and UM–DAE CEBS are residential, stipendiary, and follow a semester-based, credit-oriented curriculum that encourages early exposure to research.

Students admitted to the programme are eligible for:

• DISHA scholarship of ₹60,000 per annum from the Department of Atomic Energy
• Additional ₹20,000 per annum as internship support
• Endorsement for the INSPIRE-SHE scholarship for eligible candidates

A significant proportion of graduates pursue doctoral research in India and abroad or join research-oriented roles in academia and industry.

NEST 2026 Examination Conduct

The NEST 2026 examination will be conducted at multiple centres (major towns or cities) in India in a single session, on June 06, 2026 (Saturday). The timing of the session will be 02:00 PM – 05:00 PM. Divyangjan category candidates will get a compensatory time of 20 minutes per hour of examination duration as per GOI guidelines. Based on the performance in NEST 2026, a merit list of the candidates will be prepared and posted on the NEST 2026 website by June 25, 2026.

Category-wise Seat Breakup for NEST 2026 Admissions (Integrated M.Sc. Programme, 2026–2031)

The official Information Brochure for NEST 2026 clearly specifies the total proposed intake and the reservation framework for admissions to the participating institutes. Based on the notified reservation norms and intake figures, the category-wise distribution of seats is outlined below.

National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar

Total proposed intake: 200 seats
The category-wise breakup of seats at NISER is as follows:

• Unreserved (UR): 101 seats
• Other Backward Classes – Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL): 54 seats
• Scheduled Caste (SC): 30 seats
• Scheduled Tribe (ST): 15 seats

In addition to the above:
• 5% horizontal reservation is applicable for Divyangjan (PwD) candidates across all categories
• Supernumerary seats are provided for eligible candidates from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh

UM–DAE Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (CEBS), Mumbai

Total proposed intake: 57 seats
The category-wise breakup of seats at UM–DAE CEBS is as follows:

• Unreserved (UR): 23 seats
• Other Backward Classes – Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL): 15 seats
• Scheduled Caste (SC): 9 seats
• Scheduled Tribe (ST): 4 seats
• Economically Weaker Sections (EWS): 6 seats

Additionally:
• 5% horizontal reservation is applicable for Divyangjan (PwD) candidates across all categories
Candidates should note that EWS reservation is applicable only for admissions to CEBS, as explicitly stated in the official Information Brochure.

Mode of Application and Application Fee for NEST 2026

The application process for NEST 2026 is conducted only in online mode through the official NEST website. No offline or paper-based applications are accepted. Candidates must complete the application form and fee payment within the prescribed timelines for their application to be considered valid.

Application Fee

The application fee for NEST 2026 is category- and gender-specific, as notified in the official Information Brochure.

• Male candidates (General / OBC–NCL): ₹1,400
• Female candidates (General / OBC–NCL): ₹700
• SC / ST / Divyangjan (PwD) candidates (all genders): ₹700