What can be NEST cutoff marks this for NISER for General category?

Applicants who want to take admission in NISER and are from General category need to secure the passing marks in their category. Since general category cut off marks are higher than other categories hence applicants who belong to this category need to put more effort to take admission. This year NEST cut off marks for general category for NISER are in between 80 to 90 marks. Though final marks will be decided after the conlusion of the exam.

What is the benefit of NEST exam?

Students who qualify the NEST exam will be given the opportunity to pursue undergraduate programs in Science & Technology at NISER and UM-DAE CBS, two premier institutes in India. Applicants are advised to check the detailed eligibility criteria and other important date related events before appearing for the NEST exam. NEST is a popular entrance exam for Science stream students who paas out 12th standard of exam, in India. The number of seats are disclosed in official notification.

What is the deadline to raise objection against NEST 2026 Response sheet?

NEST answer key 2026 objection last date was June 12, 2026. Candidates have to upload the supporting document while submitting the objection. Finally, pay the objection fee.

How to download the NEST 2026 Answer Key PDF?

Candidates have to go to the exam portal to download the NEST 2026 Answer Key PDF. The answer key PDF can be downloaded by all. The response sheets can be downloaded from their registered account. With the help of the NEST Response sheet and answer keys, they can calculate their scores. They can also submit objections within the given date. Based on the objections, the final answer keys and result of NEST will be prepared.

Can I submit objections against the NEST final answer key?

No, there is no provision to submit objections against the NEST final answer keys. The authority released the final answer key for NEST 2026 on June 17, 2026.

How long for NEST results?

NEST 2026 result was declared on June 24, 2026. The result applies only to the current academic year 2026-27.

What factors are considered to prepare the merit list for NEST exam?

Merit list rank preparation or the final ranking of the candidates will be based on percentile scores calculated from the best three-section scores. The merit list will be published based on the following criteria: 1. A candidate is required to score more than SMAS in at least three subject sections. Then we say that the candidate is SMAS-qualified. 2. The total score of an SMAS-qualified candidate is the sum of the scores of her/his three best scores from the SMAS securing sections. 3. A candidate is required to score equal to or above a total Minimum Admissible Percentile (MAP) to get a merit rank. 4. If the percentiles of two or more candidates become equal (i.e., in the case of a tie), then the best scores in the sections of the two students would be compared. The student with the higher score would get a better rank. 5. If the tie persists, the students would be given the same provisional rank at the time of declaration of the result, and the tie would be broken by comparing class 12th marks during admission/counselling. 6. If the tie still persists, then the younger student will get a higher rank.

Is NEST conducted twice a year?

No, NEST exam is conducted once a year. NEST 2026 exam was conducted on June 6, 2026. The exam timing was 2 PM to 5 PM.

Who releases NEST cutoff marks?

The examination conducting body, NISER and UM-DAE CEBS, released NEST cutoff marks for the applicants who want to take admission in participating institutes. The cutoff marks for NEST are released along with the declaration of the result. Candidates whose score in NEST exam is equal or above the cutoff marks will be considered for the counselling process.

is there any sectional weightage to any section in NEST exam?

There is equal weightage for each section of the NEST exam. There are four sections, each carrying 60 marks. There is negative marking of one mark for wrong answers.

How many questions will be there in NEST exam?

The NEST exam has 20 questions from four sections. The total number of questions is 80. Students have to attempt at least three sections or 60 questions.

What is the total duration of the NEST exam?

The total duration of the NEST exam is three hours. The timing of the exam is from 2 PM to 5 PM. Candidates belonging to the PWD category will be given compensatory time of 20 minutes per hour as per the Government of India guidelines. Test takers will not be allowed to leave the centre before 4 PM for medical reasons. Entry will not be allowed after 3 PM. Students have to attempt at least three sections in the exam.

Is there any negative marking in NEST?

Yes, according to the NEST exam pattern, there will be negative marking. For each wrong answer, one mark will be deducted. The marks per question are three. Full marks in the exam are 240.

Which institutes accept the scores of NEST?

NEST scores are accepted by two institutes of India, the National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar, and the University of Mumbai, Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences. Both institutes offer Integrated MSc programmes of five-year duration.

What are the dates for NEST 2026 Examination?

NEST exam date 2026 was June 6. The exam was conducted online at various test cities. To appear for the entrance exam, apply online. NEST application portal was active from January 5 to April 8, 2026.

What is the frequency of the NEST exam?

The NEST exam is conducted once a year. Generally, the exam is scheduled for June every year. NEST is a computer-based test conducted for three hours. It is held in a single day and shift. The scores are used for admission to the Integrated MSc courses offered at the participating institutes.

Is it possible to appear directly for the interview for admission to Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) training school?

Besides, top performers at NISER and UM-DAE CEBS, securing overall grades above a certain threshold at the end of the programme, are eligible to appear directly for the interview for admission to the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) training school.

What login credentials are required to download NEST Admit Card?

Applicants who want to appear for the NEST exam need to download the admit card to appear in the examination. Applicants are required to first check whether they are using the recommended browser or not for downloading the NEST 2026 admit card. After that they also need to have an active internet connection at their place before downloading the admit card. Students need to enter their user ID & password, followed by entering the Captcha if mentioned on the login portal. After entering these details, the admit card will be opened in a new window. Now save the copy for future reference.

What documents will be valid as photo ID for NEST exam?

Candidates have to carry any one of the following documents will be considered as valid for appearing in the NEST 2026 examination: Passport Aadhaar Card or Enrolment slip Voter ID Driver's License PAN Card If any student does not have any of these ID cards then they must bring their admit card of class 12 board exam in the examination hall.

What details will be printed in NEST Admit Card?

The exam conducting authorities will release the admit card at least two weeks before the commencement of the exam. The NEST hall ticket will mentionthe following details of the applicants Application Number Roll Number Candidate's Name Candidate's Address Date Time Shift Reporting time Venue and Emergency contact number In case of any discrepancy in the details mentioned in the admit card, applicants need to immediately connect to the exam conducting authorities by the Emergency number mentioned in the admit card.

Is Biology compulsory for NEST exam?

For entrance exam since marks from three section are considered hence it can be said that it not compulsory. In the NEST exam your marks will be considered from any of 3 subjects out of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. but if you know basics it will help you to secure marks and for further study during campus classes. In first year after joining NISER you would be taught basic biology. In fact many students who did not have biology in class 12 and did fairly well in the biology exams during first year.

Is there an age limit for NEST?

No, there is no age limit to appear for the NEST exam. Candidates planning to appear for the exam must fulfil the other eligibility criteria in terms of clearing the Class 12 Board exam in the Science stream with the category-wise minimum aggregate percentage.

What is the eligibility for NEST exam?

The NEST 2026 eligibility criteria are defined on both basis age wise as well education wise. Admissions in NISER, Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS, Mumbai are done based on a candidate's score in the NEST exam. Candidates who have passed Class 12 from the Science stream are eligible to apply for the NEST exam. Candidates should pass Class 12 in Science stream from a recognised board in India with at least 60% aggregate marks (55% for SC/ ST/ PWD category candidates). Candidates should have passed Class XII either last year or will pass this year. There is no age limit to appear for NEST.

Is there any reservation for the OBC Creamy Layer category in NEST exam?

No, the reservation is available only for OBC non-creamy layer candidates only. For the creamy layer candidates of the OBC category, the admissions will be done under the General category. hence there is no reservation is applicable to the candidates who are from creamy layer OBC category.

NEST 2026: Result (OUT), Scorecard & Counselling Details

CEBS Counselling: First Round Merit List

17 Jul '26

Updated on Jul 17, 2026 17:59 IST

By Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

NEST exam 2026: NISER & UM-DAE CEBS are conducting the counselling for admission to the Integrated MSc programme. Separate counselling is being held for both institutes. Candidates will be considered for admission based on the merit list. NISER and CEBS have released a merit list based on the NEST rank. Check the page for more information on the NEST exam 2026.

Latest Updates

CEBS released the first merit list on July 17, 2026.
The selected candidates must pay admisison fee by July 20, 2026.
NISER first round counselling will be held on July 24.

🚀 Know Important Topics for NEST

📋 NEST Complete Syllabus Download PDF

Table of contents

What is NEST?
NEST 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule
NEST 2026 Counselling
NEST 2026 Cutoff
NEST 2026 Eligibility Criteria and Application Form
NEST 2026 Exam Pattern, Syllabus, and Preparation
NEST 2026 Admit Card
NEST 2026 Answer Key and Question Paper
NEST 2026 Result
FAQs Regarding NEST 2026

What is NEST?

The NEST entrance exam, whose full form is National Entrance Screening Test, is conducted every year for all those students who want to get admission to Integrated MSc programmes. There are two institutions where NEST students want to get admission: one is the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) , Bhubaneswar, and the second institution is Mumbai University - Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-DAE CEBS) .

By doing self-studies, using mock tests for practising, and previous year question papers of NEST, students can improve their chances of passing the NEST exam and getting into their preferred institutes to make their future in research. The total number of seats offered at both institutes is approximately 260. The admission is conducted based on the counselling process conducted separately by both institutes. A candidate has to attempt a minimum of three sections to be considered for the scoring process.

Key Highlights of NEST 2026

Check out this table to know important details related to the NEST 2026 exam.

Particulars	Details
Exam Name	National Entrance Screening Test
Conducting Body	NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai
Exam Level	Undergraduate Exam at the National Level
Exam Frequency	Annual
Current Status	Counselling started
Next Event	Release of NISER and CEBS admission queue

NEST 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of NEST 2026 exam

Dates	Upcoming Exam Dates
17 Jul ' 26	CEBS Counselling: First Round Merit List ONGOING
17 Jul ' 26 - 20 Jul ' 26	CEBS Counselling: Payment after first merit list ONGOING
21 Jul ' 26	CEBS Counselling: Second Round Merit List
21 Jul ' 26 - 23 Jul ' 26	CEBS Counselling: Payment after Second merit list
24 Jul ' 26	CEBS Counselling: Third Round Merit List
24 Jul ' 26 - 28 Jul ' 26	CEBS Counselling: Payment after Third merit list
28 Jul ' 26	NISER Counselling: First Round Admission
View more Future Events (4)

Dates	Past Exam Dates
10 Jul ' 26	CEBS Counselling: Admisson Queue
10 Jul ' 26	NISER Counselling: Admission Queue
01 Jul ' 26 - 08 Jul ' 26	CEBS Counselling: Submission of Expression of Interest (EOI)
View More Past Events (12)

NEST 2026 Counselling

NEST counselling process comprises submission of Expression of Interest (EOI), release of admisison queue, appearing for counselling and payment of admission fees. There is no centralised counselling process, and candidates have to apply separately at NISER and UM-DAE CEBS for Integrated MSc admission. Candidates can check the NEST counselling 2026 information below.

NISER merit list is available online.
The last date to submit EOI at NISER was July 6.
NISER admission queue will be released on July 10.
Students had to submit the EOI for CEBS admission by July 8, 2026.
CEBS admission queue was released on July 10.
NISER admission first round will be conducted on July 28 at the NISER campus.
CEBS first round of merit list is out. Selected students must pay the admission fee online.

Stages of the NEST Counselling

The different stages in NEST Counselling are given below:

Registration
Declaration of Admission Queue
Release of merit list
Visiting the institute for admission
Fee payment

Registration
Declaration of Admission Queue
Release of merit list
Visiting the institute for admission
Fee payment

NEST 2026 Seat Matrix

The seat matrix for NISER and UM-DAE CEBS is mentioned below.

Category	Seats at NISER	Seats at UM-DAE CEBS
General	101	23
General-EWS	0	6
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)	54	15
SC	30	9
ST	15	4
Divyangjan/PWD	5% of seats in each category	5% of seats in each category
Total	200	57
J& K, Ladakh	2	2
Total Intake	202	59

NEST 2026 Cutoff

CEBS Mumbai and NISER Bhubaneswar has published the NEST 2026 cutoff marks according to the sessions, subjects, and category-wise online. The NEST 2026 cutoff is released in two categories: Section-wise Minimum Admissible Score (SMAS), which refers to the sectional cutoff, and Minimum Acceptable Percentile (MAP), or overall percentile.

NEST 2026 SMAS Score

Candidates can check SMAS score for NEST 2026 below.

Subject Category	UR/UR-Divyang	OBC/OBC-Divyang	SCST/SCST-Divyang
Biology	8.83/8.39	7.95/7.50	4.41/3.97
Chemistry	11.26/10.70	10.14/9.57	5.63/5.07
Mathematics	9.63/9.15	8.67/8.19	4.82/4.33
Physics	9.44/8.97	8.49/8.02	4.72/4.25

NEST 2026 Cutoff Percentile: MAP

Below is the cutoff NEST MAP 2026.

Category	Percentile
UR/EWS/OBC ~ Divyang	80 ~ 40
SC/ST ~ Divyang	75 ~ 40

Previous Year NEST SMAS & MAP

Candidates can find here last year's NEST SMAS & MAP.

NEST SMAS Cutoff Scores 2025

Go through the following table to check out the category-wise SMAS Scores of last year.

Subject Category	Gen/EWS/JK	OBC	SC/ST/PwD
Biology	8.652	7.7868	4.326
Chemistry	9.646	8.6814	4.832
Mathematics	9.83794	8.854146	4.91897
Physics	9.81	8.829	4.905

NEST 2025 Cutoff: MAP

Check out the details mentioned in this table for category-wise, for MAP.

	Gen/EWS/JK	OBC	SC/ST/PwD
Percentile	95	90	75

NEST 2026 Eligibility Criteria and Application Form

Candidates who wish to take the test must go through the NEST Eligibility criteria 2026 before filling out the application form. Students must also fulfil the eligibility criteria mentioned below:

Candidates should have cleared the Class 12 Board exam or equivalent in 2024 or 2025.
Those who will be appearing for the Class 12 Board exam or equivalent in 2026 are eligible for NEST 2026, provided they fulfil other eligibility criteria.
Candidates must have studied at least three subjects between Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics in Class 11 and Class 12.
Applicants must secure at least 60 per cent marks in aggregate (or equivalent grade) in the Class 12 examination from any recognised Board in India. For Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Divyangjan or Persons with Disability (PWD) candidates, the minimum requirement is 55 per cent.
There is no age limit.

NEST 2026 Application Form

The authority has closed NEST registration process. Candidates had to apply online for the NEST exam. The application process involves registration, form filling, uploading documents and payment of application fees. Students had to check the eligibility criteria before filling out the NEST 2026 application form. The process to fill out the application form is mentioned below.

Go to NEST website, nestexam.in
Click on Register Now
Fill in mandatory fields.
Generate Username and Password.
Login using registration details.
Fill the form.
Upload a photograph and signature.
Pay NEST application fee through Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking and UPI modes.
Take a print of the application form.

NEST Application Fee

Check out the information in the table below related to the NEST Fee to submit the application form.

Category	Fees (in INR)
Male candidates of the Unreserved/ EWS/OBC category	1,400
Female candidates in the Unreserved/EWS/OBC category	700
SC/ST/PwD/Transgender category candidates	700

The NEST application fee has remained the same as last year. The application fee is non-refundable, even if applicants do not appear for the exam.

NEST 2026 Exam Pattern, Syllabus, and Preparation

The authority released the NEST exam pattern 2026 online. The paper pattern helps to understand the structure of the question paper and the marking scheme. NEST exam is a computer-based test. The exam duration is three hours. NEST question paper consists of 80 multiple-choice questions. Candidates can check the table for the detailed exam pattern of NEST 2026.

Particulars	Details
Mode of Examination	Computer-Based Mode (CBT)
Type of Questions	Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Number of sections in the question paper	4 sections
Total questions	80 questions (20 questions per section)
Exam Duration	3 hours
Total Scores	240
Marking Scheme	3 marks for each correct answer. 1 mark for each wrong answer. 0 for unanswered questions.

NEST 2026 Syllabus

Candidates who registered for the NEST Exam must know the NEST 2026 syllabus, which has been released by NISER in the information bulletin. The NEST exam questions are asked from topics from the class 11 and 12 books of the Science stream. The subjects include Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics. The exam officials have stated that questions in the NEST exam are mainly from the science syllabus of Classes 11 and 12, which is present in NCERT/ CBSE books. Candidates must go through the NEST 2026 syllabus on this page.

Download NEST syllabus pdf here

NEST 2026: Subject-wise syllabus PDF Link

The table below brings the subject-wise syllabus PDF for NEST 2026.

Subject	PDF File
Physics	Download Here
Chemistry	Download Here
Mathematics	Download Here
Biology	Download Here

NEST 2026 Preparation Tips

Here are some ways to prepare for the NEST Exam for candidates who wish to appear for the NEST 2026 Exam.

Comprehend NEST Syllabus and Pattern: Candidates must know what needs to be studied. The syllabus of NEST 2026 is vast and includes classes 11 and 12 important topics of Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Maths. Students must also keep the NEST exam pattern in mind while preparing for it to know what type of questions will be asked and the time available to complete the paper.
Direct to previous year's NEST question papers: Previous year's papers are an excellent start to preparing for any exam. They will help students understand the subject-wise weightage of topics and the difficulty level of exams.
Organise a timetable for study: Studying as per the timetable can help in covering the syllabus in a planned manner. It is highly advised that students make a NEST preparation timetable with at least two to three hours for all three subjects and one hour for revision.
Stay Consistent while studying: As the syllabus of NEST is vast, all chapters will only be covered if studied regularly daily. Regularity is very important in clearing the NEST 2026.
Use NCERT textbooks: Students must know that the NCERT textbooks are the foundation for the NEST syllabus. NEST candidates must learn from the NCERT textbook and create a solid foundation of ideas and theories. They may also refer to other books to understand the concepts better.
Choosing the Best Reference Books: NEST students must use the best reference books that cover topics from the basics to the advanced level.
Revision: Revision is an important part of preparation. If a candidate does not revise what they study, there is a possibility that they will not be able to recall it at the time of examinations.
Mock Test Paper: Solve mock test papers regularly. It is advised that students solve chapter-wise mock papers on completion of a chapter and full-length mock test papers after the completion of the entire syllabus.

NEST 2026 Admit Card

NEST admit card was released on May 24, 2026. Candidates were able to download the NEST 2026 admit card through the candidates' login portal. They had to provide their application number and password to access the admit card online. NEST hall ticket comprises candidates details, exam date & time, shift timing, reporting timing, and important instructions. The process to download the NEST 2026 admit card is mentioned below.

How to Download NEST 2026 Admit Card

Below is the process to download the NEST admit card.

Go to NEST 2026 website, nestexam.in
Click on login link
Enter the application number and password.
Now click on the admit card link.
NEST hall ticket will display on the screen.
Download and take the print of the same.

After downloading the admit card, check all printed details on it. If there is any error, contact the officials immediately. Candidates have to carry their admit card and a valid photo id on exam day.

Also Read: NEST 2026 marking scheme

NEST 2026 Answer Key and Question Paper

The final answer key for NEST 2026 was released on June 17. The link to download the NEST answer key pdf is mentioned below. Candidates can use the answer key to cross-check their responses. The answer key objection was accepted from June 10 to 12, 2026. Moreover, the provisional answer key for NEST 2026 was released on June 8, 2026. The process to download NEST answer key 2026 is mentioned.

Direct link to download final answer key for NEST 2026
Direct link to downoad NEST 2026 answer key

How to Download NEST 2026 Answer Keys

Candidates must download the NEST answer keys by following the method below.

Go to the NEST 2026 website, nestexam.in
Click on the NEST answer key pdf link.
The answer key will display on the screen.

NEST 2026 Question Paper

The authority has released NEST question paper online. Aspirants can download the NEST question paper PDF and use it for revision. Solving the NEST question paper will make you familiar with the exam difficulty level and help you identify the high-weightage topics. Moreover, candidates can self-assess their performance and keep track of regular improvement.

📄 Download Important Documents

NEST Question Paper

Download

NEST 2026 Result

The authority has activated the NEST result link online. Candidates must keep their login details handy before checking the result. Those who qualify the NEST exam can download their scorecard online. The process to check the NEST result 2026 is mentioned below.

Go to the NEST 2026 website, nextexam.in
Click on the Login link
Enter the required credentials
Check your NEST result 2026.

NEST 2026 Result Link

The link to check the result is mentioned below.

NEST 2026 Result Link

FAQs Regarding NEST 2026

Here are some important FAQs related to the NEST 2026 Examination

Q: Is NEST exam difficulty level higher than NEET?

The National Entrance Screening Test is generally tougher than NEET, but some sections in NEET, like Biology, are more challenging due to the vast syllabus coverage and competition. Based on last year's analysis for NEET, the difficulty level was very high. Compared to the NEET, last year NEST was easier.

Q: What are good books for NEST preparation?

Students who want to qualify the NEST exam first they must complete the books of class 11th and 12th.

Applicants can follow the below-mentioned books for the NEST preparation.

For chemistry, Wiley, KL CHUGH & Dinesh publication books are good
For Physics, DC Pandey & HC Verma's books.
For Mathematics, R D Sharma, SN DEY books
For Biology subject, Objective Biology by Dinesh

Along with these books NCERT & NCERT EXEMPLAR is a must for applicants for all individual subjects.

Q: Can I change my exam centre after submitting NEST application form?

Candidates must know that the allotment of an examination centre by the NEST Committee has to be regarded as final, and the request for a change of centre will, in general, not be entertained. The address of the test venue allotted to the applicant will be mentioned on the NEST admit card.

Q: What will happen if there is any tie between two students in terms of percentile scores in NEST exam?

The authority will use the tie-breaking rule if two or more students have the same percentile score in the NEST exam. To break the tie, the following criteria will be considered.

Marks of the Class 12th exam for tie-breaking.
If the tie still exists, the younger candidate will be given preference over others who will be older.

Though in most other exams, the older candidates get preference, but in case of the NEST exam, it is different.

Q: What documents are required to be sent to the NEST office during the application process?

Candidates need not send any document to the NEST office in the entire application process. Please refer to the instruction sheet by visiting the official NEST website for details regarding the application process.

Q: What is "Section-wise" Minimum Admissible Score (SMAS) or section wise cutoff marks in NEST exam?

The Section-wise Minimum Admissible Score or SMAS refers to the section-wise cut-off marks in NEST. The factors to calculate SMAS in NEST are given below.

The total score of each candidate will be the sum of his/her best three scores out of the four sections.
For each section, 20 per cent of the average of the best 100 scores in that section will be considered as SMAS. For example, if the average of the best 100 scores in the Chemistry section is 48 out of 60, then SMAS for the Chemistry section would be 48*0.20 = 9.6 marks, similar to other sections.
SMAS for different sections can be of different numerical values.
SMAS for the two sessions, for any particular section, can be of different numerical values.
SMAS for OBC students would be 90 per cent of the respective SMAS for the general category Students. For example, if in the Chemistry section, the SMAS is 9.6 for general category students, then the SMAS for OBC students would be 8.64 (90 per cent of 9.6).
SMAS for SC/ST/Divyangjan students would be 50 per cent of the respective SMAS for general category students. For example, if in the Chemistry section, the SMAS is 9.6 for general category students, then the SMAS for SC, ST, and Divyangjan students would be 4.8 (50 per cent of 9.6).