NEST 2026 Counselling Process: Registration, Dates, Fees, Seat Allotment Process

The UG First Round of Counselling is out on the official website; candidates can visit the website or directly download it from here. 

All shortlisted candidates are allotted seats in their respective courses at NISER and CEBS based on their respective merit lists. The process for NEST counselling is as mentioned below: 

• All qualifying candidates first need to register on the online counselling portal of the exam/institutes. Thereafter, candidates have to download as well as print forms such as the Student Personal Details Undertaking by the student and parent/guardian, Student Medical History and Format of Affidavit [anti-ragging] by Student and Parent/Guardian.

• The first round of counselling continues until all seats are filled or the modified merit list is exhausted, whichever is earlier.
• After NEST counselling round 1, each participating institute prepares a waiting list.
• Admission of candidates whose names appear on the waiting list is done through the second round of counselling.
• The second counselling is not joining counselling.

In the counselling session, the attendance of all candidates present at all the venues is taken into account. Based on the attendance of candidates and the original merit list declared earlier, a modified merit list is prepared. Seats are allotted to candidates at NISER and CBS strictly based on the modified list.

The authority released the NEST merit list 2026 online. The merit list is based on NEST rank. Candidates whose names are mentioned in the merit list pdf can participate in the counselling process. Students have to apply online for NEST counselling 2026. The merit list link is updated below.

NEST counselling is conducted offline. Candidates have to report to the preferred institutes, NISER and UM-DAE CEBS. Candidates need to carry the required documents in original and a copy. Students will be offered courses based on their score in the NEST exam. The list of documents required during NEST counselling is mentioned below.

1.  Printed NISER application/admission form
2. Two recent passport size photographs
3. NEST 2025 scorecard
4. Aadhaar Card (Original + 1 photocopy)
5. 10th/matriculation certificate (Original + 1 photocopy)
6. 12th Marksheet
7. College/School leaving certificate (original)
8. Valid caste certificate for admission against reserved seats (original + 1 photocopy)
9. Valid certificate of disability for admission against Divyangjan category (Original + 1 photocopy)
10. Valid Domicile certificate for admission against J&K category (original + 1 photocopy)

After filling in all the required details asked in the forms, all qualifying candidates need to attend the NEST counselling round as per the prescribed date and time at the allotted venue. Documents that candidates need to carry at the counselling session are as mentioned below:

• NEST 2025 application form (a printout of the submitted form)
• Admit card 
• Mark sheet of Class 10 & 12 board exam (original & photocopy)
• Disability certificate, if applicable (original & photocopy)
• Proof of Indian citizenship, if born outside India (original & photocopy)
• Birth certificate/ school leaving certificate (original & photocopy)
• Caste certificate, if applicable (original & photocopy)
• Four passport size coloured photographs
• Verification certificate, if applicable (original & photocopy)
• Demand draft in favour of NISER, payable at Bhubaneswar/ Demand draft in favour of CBS, payable at Mumbai, depending on where candidates are appearing for counselling
• In case a candidate has submitted original documents to another institute, he/ she must bring an official letter (undertaking) from that institute.

FAQs for NEST Exam Counselling