NEST 2026 Exam Dates (Out): Application (Jan 5-April 6), Exam Date (June 6), Admit Card & Other Dates

The authority has released the NEST application form 2026 online. Candidates who wish to get admission to 5-year Integrated MSc programme must apply online before the last date. The steps involved in the application process are registration, form filling, uploading documents and payment of application fees. Candidates must check the NEST eligibility criteria before applying online. Below are the steps to fill out the application form of NEST 2026.

• Go to the website - nestexam.in
• Click on the tab Register Now.
• Fill up the mandatory fields.
• Generate Username and Password.
• Log in with the registration details.
• Fill the form and upload documents.
• Pay the application fee through Credit or Debit Card, Net Banking or UPI. 
• Download and print the confirmation page.

NEST 2026 Application Fee

The application fee for NEST 2026 is mentioned below.

The NEST 2026 application will be considered successful after the payment of the fee. The fee has remained the same as last year. The NEST application fee is non-refundable. The exam authority will commence the application form correction process on April 13, 2026. The registered students can edit the information mentioned in the NEST application. The last date for form correction is April 14, 2026.

NISER and UM-DAE CEBS will issue the NEST admit card 2026 on May 15, 2026. The admit card will be available for registered candidates. To download the NEST 2026 admit card, candidates have to provide their application number / login id and password. Candidates name, exam date, exam centre address, and important documents will be mentioned in the admit card of NEST 2026. After downloading the hall ticket, check all the printed details mentioned on it.

The authority will release the NEST mock test on April 14, 2026. The mock test link will be updated on the website, nestexam.in. The mock test is a replica of the actual exam. The authority prepares the mock test questions based on the exam syllabus and pattern. Solving the NEST mock test paper will help to get familiar with the online exam interface.

The authority will conduct the NEST 2026 exam on June 6. The computer-based test will have 80 objective type multiple choice questions from Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology. Candidates have to attempt at least three sections. Each question will have four answer options. Out of this, candidates can select only one. Marks per question are four. One mark will be deducted for a wrong answer. 

NEST 2026 exam timing 

The exam timing is available online. The authority will conduct the exam for three hours. An extra 20 minutes per hour is given to the PwD candidates. Check the table for NEST exam timing 2026.

According to the NEST 2026 information bulletin, test-takers will not be allowed to enter the exam hall after 3 PM, which is an hour after the test begins. On the other hand, they will not be allowed to leave the centre before 4 PM, unless it becomes necessary on medical grounds. 

The exact schedule and instructions regarding the NEST 2026 exam day timing will be announced on the admit card, which must be followed by test-takers to avoid inconveniences on the exam day. Students must take their designated seats at the exam hall within the said time. They should leave the centre only after the invigilator permits them. They should take bio breaks before the exam starts to avoid leaving during the exam. 

NISER and UM-DAE CEBS will announce the NEST answer key 2026 date online. The answer key will comprise correct answers for the questions asked in the exam. Candidates can use the answer key to cross-check their answers. Students have to submit objections by paying the requisite fee and process within the said date in case of discrepancies.

The result of NEST 2026 will be declared by the fourth week of June. It will be released in the form of a scorecard on the exam portal. The NEST 2026 scorecard should be saved till the admission process is completed. A merit list will be released separately, carrying the names of qualified candidates by securing the NEST Cutoff.

Qualifying candidates will be eligible to participate in the NEST counselling process. Both the participating institutes will conduct the process separately. The total duration of the counselling is likely to be three to four months. The number of rounds will depend on the number of unoccupied seats.