NEST Result 2026 (OUT): Download Scorecard (June 25), Merit List, Rank Card & Percentile Score
National Entrance Screening Test 2026 ( NEST )
CEBS Counselling: Payment after Second merit list
21 Jul '26 - 23 Jul '26
NEST 2026 Result: NISER & CEBS declared NEST result 2026 on June 24. The authority has activated the result link on the website nestexam.in. Candidates must use their login credentials to check the result. NEST 2026 scorecard will be released on June 25, 2026.
Students can check the NEST result 2026 for marks obtained, category-wise cutoff marks, and result status. Those who qualify the National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) will be considered for NEST counselling 2026. The authority conducted NEST exam 2026 on June 6.
- How to Check NEST Result 2026?
- NEST 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule
- How to Download NEST 2026 Scorecard
- What After NEST Result?
- NEST Section–wise Minimum Admissible Score 2026
- Calculation of NEST Percentile Score for NEST 2026
- NEST 2026 Cutoff
- NEST 2026 Result FAQs
How to Check NEST Result 2026?
The authority has activated the NEST 2026 result link online. Candidates need to know their login credentials handy before checking the result. The process to check the NEST result 2026 is mentioned below.
- Visit the official website of the NEST, nestexam.in.
- Candidates will have to click on the NISER and CEBS Score links, respectively.
- Enter NEST 2026 Roll Number and Application Number.
- Click on the 'Show Scorecard' tab.
- Check and download the NEST 2026 scorecard in PDF format and save the file.
Commonly asked questions
SMAS is used frequently in preparing the result of NEST exam.
The full-form of SMAS is the Section-wise Minimum Admissible Score. It is the cut off marks which applicants need to secure for each section of NEST paper.
Since there are different category candidates who appear in the exam hence they have seperate SMAS.
The NEST 2026 result was announced on June 24, 2026. The result link is updated online. Candidates can download their scorecard at iiseradmission.in.
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.
NEST 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule
Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of NEST 2026 exam
| Dates | Upcoming Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| 21 Jul ' 26 - 23 Jul ' 26 | CEBS Counselling: Payment after Second merit list ONGOING |
| 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 |
| 29 Jul ' 26 | CEBS Counselling: Forth Round Merit List |
| 29 Jul ' 26 - 31 Jul ' 26 | CEBS Counselling: Payment after Forth merit list |
| 01 Aug ' 26 | CEBS Counselling: Fifth Round Merit List |
| Dates | Past Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| 21 Jul ' 26 | CEBS Counselling: Second Round Merit List |
| 17 Jul ' 26 | CEBS Counselling: First Round Merit List |
| 17 Jul ' 26 - 20 Jul ' 26 | CEBS Counselling: Payment after first merit list |
How to Download NEST 2026 Scorecard
NEST scorecard released on June 25, 2026. The link to download the NEST scorecard will be updated here after the official release. Candidates can check the scorecard to know overall marks, percentile scores and merit rank. The authority will consider candidates' scores in the exam to prepare NEST merit list. They will also consider SMAS while preparing the merit list. Details mentioned on the scorecard are mentioned below.
- Candidate details, including name and roll number
- Scores obtained by candidates in the General section
- Scores obtained by the candidates in each section they attempted
- Total scores obtained by the candidates out of 180 (General section 30 marks+ 50 marks each of the best three subjects)
- Percentile scores of the candidates
- Merit rank obtained by the candidates
The SMAS score of the best three subject scores from four subjects is considered for the merit list preparation for NEST 2026 (for both NISER and CEBS).
NEST Section–wise Minimum Admissible Score 2026
Candidates can read the following points to understand SMAS for the NEST 2026 exam:
- For every section, "20 per cent of the average of the best 100 scores in that section" will be considered as the Section–wise Minimum Admissible Score (SMAS). For example, if the average of the best 100 scores in the Physics section is 41 out of 50, then SMAS for the Chemistry section would be 41*0.20 = 8.2 marks. Similarly, for 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 general category students. For example, if the SMAS is 8.6 for general category students in the Chemistry section, then the SMAS for OBC students would be 7.38 (90 per cent of 8.2).
- SMAS for SC/ST/Divyangjan students would be 50% of the respective SMAS for general category students. For example, if the SMAS is 8.2 for general category students in the Chemistry section, then the SMAS for SC/ST/Divyangjan students would be 4.1 (50 per cent of 8.2).
- A candidate is required to score equal to or above the NEST SMAS in at least three subject sections to qualify for percentile calculation.
Commonly asked questions
The exam authority releases the NEST scorecard online. Students have to provide the application number and password to check the scorecard. The NEST scorecard contains total marks and merit rank.
Yes, candidates who have passed class 12 with PCM or BiPC can appear for NEST. They alos need to obtain 60% marks (55% for SC/ST/ Divyangjan) in aggregate.
A good score in NEST is considered to be 150+ marks. However, NEST safe score varies for each categories. To secure admission to the top programs offered at NISER and UM-DAE CEBS candidates belonging to GEN category must obtain 150+ marks, while SC/ST need to obatin 90+ marks.
What After NEST Result?
After the NEST result is announced, the authority will release the counselling details. NISER & CEBS will announce NEST 2026 counselling dates online. Those who qualify the NEST 2026 exam will be considered for the admission process. The notification regarding the counselling process will be released soon.
Commonly asked questions
NEST 2026 result date was June 24. The link to check the result is updated online at nestexam.in.
NEST exam is for admission to 5-year Integrated M.Sc. programme in Biological, Chemical, Mathematical and Physical sciences offered at 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).
NEST Section–wise Minimum Admissible Score 2026
Candidates can read the following points to understand SMAS for the NEST 2026 exam:
- For every section, "20 per cent of the average of the best 100 scores in that section" will be considered as the Section–wise Minimum Admissible Score (SMAS). For example, if the average of the best 100 scores in the Physics section is 41 out of 50, then SMAS for the Chemistry section would be 41*0.20 = 8.2 marks. Similarly, for 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 general category students. For example, if the SMAS is 8.6 for general category students in the Chemistry section, then the SMAS for OBC students would be 7.38 (90 per cent of 8.2).
- SMAS for SC/ST/Divyangjan students would be 50% of the respective SMAS for general category students. For example, if the SMAS is 8.2 for general category students in the Chemistry section, then the SMAS for SC/ST/Divyangjan students would be 4.1 (50 per cent of 8.2).
- A candidate is required to score equal to or above the NEST SMAS in at least three subject sections to qualify for percentile calculation.
SAMS Score 2026
Candidates can check the SAMS cores subject wise 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 |
Commonly asked questions
The MAP is the overall cut off percentile obtained by the candidates in the NEST exam. The highest MAP is 100th percentile. It is different for different categories. As 95 percentile for the General category, 90 percentile for OBC category and 75 percentile for SC/ ST/ Divyangjan category students.
Applicants need to secure the cutoff marks from the category they belong to; otherwise, they won't be able to pass the exam.
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Calculation of NEST Percentile Score for NEST 2026
The following process is expected to be followed by the exam officials to calculate the NEST 2026 per cent scores:
- There were two sessions of the NEST exam on the same day, i.e. morning session from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and the evening session from 2 pm to 5:30 pm.
- The percentile score will be calculated based on the relative performance of all the qualified candidates in each session of the NEST 2026 exam.
- The highest score for each session will be 100th per cent
The final merit list of NISER and CEBS will be based on Section-wise Minimum Admissible Score (SMAS), which is the section-wise cut-off mark and Minimum Admissible per cent (MAP) as under:
| Merit List Parameters | Selection Criteria |
|---|---|
| SMAS |
|
| MAP | MAP is applied in addition to SMAS wherein candidates from each category should score equal to or above to rank in the merit list. The MAP decided for each category is as under:
|
NEST 2026 Cutoff
Candidates will get to know the NEST cutoff after the release of scorecard. There shall be two types of cutoffs: a qualifying cutoff and an admission cutoff. Here, we have provided the NEST expected qualifying cutoff.
| Category | NISER | CEBS |
| GEN | 95+ | 98+ |
| OBC | 80+ | 90+ |
| SC | 55+ | 65+ |
| ST | 45+ | 50+ |
| JK | 85+ | 90+ |
NEST 2026 Result FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions on NEST Results
Candidates seeking admission to NISER and UM–DAE CEBS for the Integrated MSc programme 2026–31 should be from the regular science stream in classes 11 and 12. All aspiring candidates must write the NEST 2026 examination. Candidates must have passed the Class 12 examination from any recognised Board in India in the years 2024 or 2025, or should be appearing for the same in 2026. Candidates who are appearing for the board examination in 2026 must pass it by the time of admission into the programme.
NEST marks vs rank helps students know what rank they may score based on their marks. The marks in NEST are converted into percentiles, and then a merit list is prepared. Students with a higher rank have a high chance of admission.
A candidate is required to score equal to or above a total Minimum Admissible Percentile (MAP) to get a merit rank. The minimum admissible percentile score varies for different category candidates. For general category applicants need to score 95 percentile marks in NEST exam.
The category wise MAP is mentioned below:
| Category | MAP Marks (in Percentile) |
|---|---|
| General | 95 |
| OBC | 90 |
| SC/ST and Divyangjan | 75 |
Students who score less than the MAP would neither be allotted any merit rank nor be eligible for admission even though he/she secure SMAS in all sections.
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.
The NEST Scoring system is based on the following factors.
- There are four sections of 60 marks each
- Each question carries three marks
- One mark will be removed for each wrong answer
- Candidates have to attempt at least three sections
- Best of the three scores out of four sections will be considered.
NEST Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 4 weeks ago
NEST 2026 result was declared on June 24, 2026. The result applies only to the current academic year 2026-27.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 weeks ago
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.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
In such a situation, you have to prioritise which exam you want to appear for. You might have prepared for months for the exam. Based on your preparation, you have to decide which exam you can easily qualify for and get admission to the desired course and college.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The rank needed to get a seat at this institution would depend on the category you belong to and the round you are applying in.
According to the NISER Bhubaneshwar NEST cutoff 2025 for the General AI category, the maximum cutoff accepted was 1972. Students can see the table below to know the maximum
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The total marks for NEST exam is 240 marks. However, the exam authority will consider marks out of 180 to prepare the merit list.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Candidates can calculate their NEST scoring based on marking scheme. NEST questions will carry 3 marks per answer. Negative marking is done for wrong answers.
Total Marks = 3 * Correct Answers - Wrong Answers
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The process for downloading the NEST response sheet PDF is mentioned below.
- Go to NEST 2026 website, nestexam.in
- Click on Login button
- Enter the application no./login Id and password
- Click on the NEST response sheet
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Students can check the NEST answer key through login portal. They will have to provide their application number / login ID, and password to download NEST 2026 answer key.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Yes, the NEST response sheet was released on June 10, 2026, alongwith the answer key. Students can check their NEST response sheet through the login portal.
V
Contributor-Level 10
4.6
How long for NEST results?