NEST — eligibility, scoring, reservation & fees
The National Entrance Screening Test admits students to the 5-year Integrated M.Sc. in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics at NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai, two Department of Atomic Energy institutes. This page follows the NEST 2026 Information Brochure (updated 12 January 2026).
A research-first Integrated M.Sc., with a stipend
NEST is a compulsory online computer-based test for the 5-year Integrated M.Sc. at the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar — an off-campus centre of the Homi Bhabha National Institute — and the UM-DAE Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (CEBS), Mumbai, run jointly by DAE and the University of Mumbai. Both were set up by the Department of Atomic Energy in 2007. [1]
- Residential, stipendiary programmes in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics, with early exposure to research.
- Students can receive a DISHA scholarship of ₹60,000 a year from DAE plus ₹20,000 a year for summer internships; DST INSPIRE-SHE selectees are endorsed for the INSPIRE scholarship. [1]
NEST 2026 dates [1]
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online application | 5 Jan – 6 Apr 2026 (payment till 12 Apr) |
| Admit card | From 15 May 2026 |
| Exam (single session, CBT) | 6 Jun 2026, 2:00 – 5:00 pm |
| Merit list on nestexam.in | By 25 Jun 2026 |
The NEST 2027 brochure was not out on 15 October 2026; NEST usually opens applications in January. [1]
Three of four sciences, 60% in Class 12, no age limit
- At least three of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics in Classes 11 and 12.
- Year of Class 12: passed in 2024 or 2025, or appearing in 2026 — from any recognised board, with the aggregate from a single board.
- Marks: at least 60% aggregate (or equivalent grade) for unreserved candidates; 55% for SC, ST and Divyangjan.
- No age limit for NEST or for admission.
- Certificates are checked only at admission — none are needed to sit the test. [1]
Four sections, your best three count
NEST 2026 paper (computer-based, Hindi and English) [1]
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | 20 MCQs | 60 |
| Chemistry | 20 MCQs | 60 |
| Mathematics | 20 MCQs | 60 |
| Physics | 20 MCQs | 60 |
| Total time | 3 hours | Best three sections = 180 |
- Marking: +3 correct, −1 wrong, 0 unanswered.
- Section cut-off (SMAS): for each section, 20% of the average of the best 100 scores. OBC candidates need 90% of that, SC/ST 50%, and Divyangjan 95% / 85% / 45% (UR / OBC / SC-ST).
- You must clear SMAS in at least three sections; your total is the sum of your best three qualifying sections.
- Totals become percentiles, and you also need the category-wise Minimum Admissible Percentile announced with the result.
- Ties: sum of the two best sections, then the best section, then Class 12 and Class 10 aggregates at counselling.
- Syllabus: CBSE (2025-26) / NCERT Classes 11-12. No calculators or log tables; a simple on-screen calculator is given. [1]
200 seats at NISER, 57 at CEBS
Proposed intake 2026-31 [1]
| Category | NISER | UM-DAE CEBS |
|---|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 101 | 23 |
| UR-EWS | 0 | 6 |
| OBC-NCL | 54 | 15 |
| SC | 30 | 9 |
| ST | 15 | 4 |
| Total | 200 | 57 |
| J&K and Ladakh (supernumerary) | 2 | 2 |
- Government of India rules: OBC-NCL 27% (central list), SC 15%, ST 7.5%.
- EWS reservation applies at UM-DAE CEBS only.
- Divyangjan (40%+ impairment): 5% horizontal in every category — at NISER UR 5, OBC-NCL 3, SC 2, ST 1.
- State-notified SEBC lists do not qualify unless the candidate meets the central OBC-NCL criteria. [1]
Half fee for women and reserved categories
NEST 2026 application fee [1]
| Candidates | Fee |
|---|---|
| Male — Unreserved and OBC | ₹1,400 |
| UR-EWS, SC, ST, Divyangjan, and all female candidates | ₹700 |
- Apply only on nestexam.in; login details for the form and payment are given on registration.
- Pay by credit or debit card, net banking or UPI (Mastercard, Visa, RuPay).
- Choose three exam centres in order of preference from about 140 cities; no documents are sent to the NEST office.
- Photo and signature: JPG, up to 80 KB each. [1]
Most graduates go on to a PhD
A large majority of NISER and CEBS integrated M.Sc. graduates go on to doctoral research in India and abroad and to research positions in academia and industry. [1]
Where these facts come from
Every fact on this page is taken from the official files below, read on 15 October 2026. Exam bodies change rules, fees and dates every cycle — open the current bulletin before you apply.
- NEST 2026 — Information Brochure & Syllabus (updated 12 Jan 2026) (opens in a new tab) institutes, scholarship, eligibility, reservation, intake, exam, scoring, SMAS / MAP, ties, dates, fees, application · Last checked 15 Oct 2026
Spotted something out of date? Email margdarshan07support10@gmail.com with the official link and we will update it.
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