NEELGYAN EXAM GUIDE
NEST Exam Guide
National Entrance Screening Test
2026 examination cycle · NISER & UM-DAE CEBS
Written and source-checked by NeelGyan Team · Last verified 2 August 2026
Checked against the official sources linked below
Current cycle
2026
Current stage
Institute admission
Institutes
NISER and CEBS
Test duration
3 hours
Subject sections
Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics
Result
Published
2026 cycle tracker
- Application5 Jan–8 Apr
- Examination6 Jun
- Answer-key challenge10–12 Jun
- Result / scorecard24 / 30 Jun
- Institute admissionFollow official instructionsYou are here
On This Page
Exam Resources
About NEST
What is NEST?
The National Entrance Screening Test is the admission test for the five-year Integrated MSc programmes at NISER Bhubaneswar and the University of Mumbai's CEBS.
NEST 2026 was held on 6 June. The result was declared on 24 June and scorecards became available on 30 June, after the official answer-key challenge window.
Merit uses the best three qualifying subject-section scores and the official minimum admissible percentile. Candidates must also meet board-year, subject and aggregate eligibility before an admission offer is confirmed.
Latest NEST Updates
Verified updates, newest first
NEST Highlights
Key verified exam details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full name | National Entrance Screening Test |
| Programmes | Five-year Integrated MSc |
| Institutes | NISER Bhubaneswar and CEBS Mumbai |
| Sections | Four PCMB subjects |
| Merit basis | Best three qualifying sections |
| Upper age limit | None in the 2026 brochure |
NEST 2026 Important Dates
Official notification and exam timeline
| Milestone | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Application opened | Completed | |
| Extended application deadline | Closed | |
| Correction window opened | Completed | |
| Admit card | Published | |
| Examination | Completed | |
| Result | Published | |
| Scorecard | Published |
NEST Application Process and Fees
Official application route and fee details
The 2026 examination application is closed. Qualified candidates should follow the NISER and CEBS admission communications linked from the official NEST site.
The form required academic and subject information, category details, uploaded images and online fee payment.
Candidates must preserve the scorecard and produce board, identity, category and disability documents applicable to their claim.
| Applicant category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Male applicants in General / OBC categories | ₹1,400 |
| Female applicants and SC / ST / Divyangjan / General-EWS applicants | ₹700 |
- The 2026 payment window is closed.
NEST Eligibility Criteria
Qualification, age and other requirements
Subject combination
At least 3 of PCMB
- Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics are the four NEST subject sections.
Passing year
2024, 2025 or appearing 2026
- Use the 2026 brochure's recognized-board conditions.
Board aggregate
60% / 55%
- The relaxed threshold applies to SC, ST and Divyangjan candidates.
Age
No upper age limit
- This is the stated NEST 2026 position; future bulletins may change.
NEST Admit Card
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: The 2026 admit card was released on 24 May and the examination is complete.
The card was available through the official candidate portal.
NEST Exam Pattern and Selection Process
Stages, papers and qualifying rules
- NEST CBTFour science sections
- Merit rankSMAS plus MAP conditions
- AdmissionNISER / CEBS verification
NEST 2026 Paper
| Section | Questions | Section marks |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | 20 | 60 |
| Chemistry | 20 | 60 |
| Mathematics | 20 | 60 |
| Physics | 20 | 60 |
- The paper is three hours. The official scoring scheme includes negative marking for applicable wrong responses; the best three qualifying sections determine the merit score.
NEST Syllabus Overview
Subjects and stages in the official syllabus
- The syllabus follows class XI–XII Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics foundations at a problem-solving level.
- Candidates may answer all four sections even though the best three qualifying section scores are used for merit.
Biology
Cell biology, genetics, physiology, diversity, ecology and biotechnology.
Chemistry
Physical, inorganic and organic chemistry across senior-secondary foundations.
Mathematics
Algebra, calculus, coordinate geometry, vectors, probability and trigonometry.
Physics
Mechanics, thermal physics, waves, electricity, magnetism, optics and modern physics.
NEST Answer Key
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: The 2026 key challenge ran from 10 to 12 June.
The result followed the official response-review process.
NEST Result
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: NEST 2026 result was declared on 24 June; scorecards followed on 30 June.
Use the official scorecard and institute admission communication.
NEST Cut-off and Merit Rules
Verified current-cycle status
Current status: The official brochure defines subject thresholds and minimum admissible percentile; the candidate scorecard records the outcome.
Do not confuse a coaching estimate with the official SMAS, MAP and category merit process.
NEST Preparation Strategy
A syllabus-first preparation route
- Identify the strongest three sections without abandoning the fourth prematurely.
- Practise official sample and previous questions under the three-hour limit.
- Track subject-section thresholds as well as the overall merit score.
- Use negative marking to make disciplined attempt decisions.
Official-first preparation material
- NEST 2026 brochure and syllabus
- Official NEST question-paper archive
- NCERT class XI–XII PCMB texts
NEST Previous Question Papers
Official question-paper resources
The official NEST site provides prior question papers and answer keys.
Use the 2026 brochure for current scoring even when solving an older paper.
NEST Frequently Asked Questions
Is NEST 2026 result out?
Yes. The result was declared on 24 June and scorecards were released on 30 June 2026.
Which institutes accept NEST?
NISER Bhubaneswar and the University of Mumbai's CEBS use it for their five-year Integrated MSc programmes.
Are all four subject sections compulsory for merit?
Candidates may answer all four, but merit uses the best three sections that meet the applicable subject threshold.
Is there a NEST age limit?
The 2026 brochure did not impose an upper age limit.
What class XII percentage is required?
The 2026 aggregate rule was 60%, relaxed to 55% for SC, ST and Divyangjan candidates.
Does a merit rank guarantee a seat?
Admission still depends on institute procedure, category, seats and document verification.
Official Information and Sources
Primary notice and authority links
Related Undergraduate Science Admissions
Compare official integrated science programme routes
Verify Before You Apply
Eligibility, dates, fees, vacancies, pattern and status can change. Read the latest notice on the official authority’s website before applying. NeelGyan does not collect application fees or guarantee admission or selection.