NEST 2026 Application Form 

Official website- https://nestexam.in/#about

Important Dates- https://nestexam.in/#deadlines

The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) is a compulsory online computer-based test for admission to the five-year Integrated MSc programme offered by the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) and the University of Mumbai – Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-DAE CEBS). NISER and UM-DAE CEBS are autonomous institutions established by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India, in 2007. These institutes were started with the mandate of providing research-oriented teaching in basic sciences by faculties of practising scientists aimed at creating a national pool of human resources to lead the nation to excellence in teaching and research in basic and applied sciences.
NEST 2026 will be conducted in around 140 cities across India.

Eligibility Criteria

FOR ADMISSION

Candidates must qualify all FOUR eligibility criteria listed below:

  • Candidates should have at least three out of the four disciplines of basic sciences, namely, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics, in classes XI and XII.
  • Candidates should 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. The (provisional) certificate declaring the aggregate should be from a single board. Candidates appearing for the board examination in 2026 must satisfy the eligibility criteria at the time of admission into the programme.
  • Candidates must secure at least 60% marks in aggregate or equivalent grade in class XII examination. For candidates belonging to scheduled castes (SC), scheduled tribes (ST), and Divyangjan categories, the minimum requirement of marks is 55% in aggregate or equivalent grade in class XII examination.
  • Candidate should secure a rank in the NEST 2026 merit list.
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.