What are the subjects in NEST exam?

The NEST exam syllabus comprises mainly four subjects. Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. The questions in the NEST exam will be asked from all these four sections hence applicants are advised to complete the syllabus from all four subjects. Each section will have 17 questions in the exam and collectively there will be 68 questions for which the maximum marks allocation will be 200. Applicants are advised to prepare for all four subjects to qualify for the exam. The merit list is prepared by considering the maximum score from any of the top 3 subjects in the exam.

Where can I find NEST syllabus?

Applicants who want to appear in NEST exam must check the syllabus as well as the exam pattern before appearing in the exam. The NEST exam syllabus 2026 has been released by the exam conducting authorities along with the release of the official notification on December 15. Applicants are advised to check the NEST previous year syllabus to get an idea about the syllabus. It has remained the same as last year.

Can a PCB student give a NEST Exam?

Yes, PCB students can give the NEST exam. The National Entrance Screening Test is designed for both BiPC and MPC students. The question papers are based on Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology of Class 11 & 12. The NEST syllabus is based on the CBSE curriculum (2025-26).

NEST exam is for what purpose?

NISER and UM-DAE CEBS conduct the NEST exam for admission to the integrated MSc programme offered in the institutes. The NEST exam is conducted as a computer-based test. The questions are based on the CBSE curriculum and the NCERT syllabus for Class 11 & 12.

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.

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.

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.

NEST Syllabus 2026: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics & Biology Syllabus PDF Download

418 Students Q&A

Registration - 5 Jan '26 - 6 Apr '26

Updated on Jan 8, 2026 23:24 IST

By Sreetama Datta Roy, Manager Content

The NEST 2026 syllabus is available now. UM-DAE CEBS and NISER have released the NEST exam syllabus pdf on the website, nestexam.in. The syllabus of NEST is based on the CBSE curriculum (2025-26) and the NCERT textbook of Class 11 & 12. Students can check the exam syllabus to know what the important topics are in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology. Aspirants must follow the NEST exam 2026 syllabus to plan their preparation, as the questions asked will test the candidates' domain-specific knowledge.

Students must check out the NEST 2026 Exam Pattern as well to thoroughly prepare for the exam. The NEST 2026 question paper consists of questions that come from all four sections - Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. It is suggested that students must be well-versed with the exam syllabus to qualify for the NEST 2026 Exam. Most of the topics asked in the National Entrance Screening Test come from the Class 11 and 12 NCERT/CBSE books.