NEST Answer Key 2027: Dates, Process to Download and Raise Objection

National Entrance Screening Test 2026 ( NEST )

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma
Updated on Sep 9, 2026 02:32 IST

By Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

NEST 2027 answer key: NISER & CEBS will release the NEST answer key 2027 online. The authority will update the NEST answer key PDF download link on the website nestexam.in. The answer key will comprise the correct answers for the questions asked in the exam. Candidates can use the answer key to verify their responses and calculate their probable score.

For this, they will have to use their NEST response sheet. The authority will release the response sheet online along with the answer key. Candidates will have to check the response sheet through the login portal. NISER and CEBS will conduct the NEST exam 2027 in June 2027. Check the page for more information on the NEST 2027 answer key.

Table of contents
  • How to Download NEST answer key 2027?
  • NEST 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule
  • How to Submit Objections Against NEST 2027 Answer Keys
  • How to Calculate Scores with NEST 2027 Answer Keys
  • NEST Marks Vs Rank
  • NEST 2027 Cutoff
  • FAQs for NEST 2027 Answer Key
View More
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How to Download NEST answer key 2027?

The authority will release the NEST answer key online on the official website. The direct link to download the answer key PDF will be updated here.  No credentials are required to check the answer key. The process to download the NEST answer key is provided below.

  • Go to NEST 2027 website.
  • Click on the Answer Key PDF link.
  • Download the answer key
  • Use the answer to evaluate the marks.

 

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   How many marks are there in NEST 2027?
A: 

The NEST question paper comprises 4 sections, including Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics. Each section carries 20 questions. Each question carries three marks. NEST total marks are 240.

Q:   How to download the NEST 2027 Answer Key PDF?
A: 

Candidates have to go to the exam portal to download the NEST 2027 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.

Q:   What is NEST answer key 2027 release date?
A: 

NEST 2027 answer key release date will be announced on the official website. Candidates can check the answer key on the website nestexam.in after the official release.

View answer key

NEST 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule

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

DatesPast Exam Dates
01 Aug ' 26

CEBS Counselling: Fifth Round Merit List

01 Aug ' 26 - 04 Aug ' 26

CEBS Counselling: Payment after Fifth merit list

29 Jul ' 26

CEBS Counselling: Forth Round Merit List

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How to Submit Objections Against NEST 2027 Answer Keys

In case candidates find a mismatch or discrepancy in the NEST 2027 answer keys, they may file objections or challenge one or more answer keys through email. The detailed process is given below.

  • Check the correct answer option for each question, marked in green.

  • Candidates must note the Participant ID, Question ID and subject from which the answer key challenge would be made.

  • The objections have to be filed through email and the subject line should be Subject section, Question ID: _______, Participant ID: __________

  • In the email body, candidates will have to write the query with proper justification in a brief and to-the-point manner. Authorities have suggested not to send attachments as far as possible.

  • All candidate queries will be considered by the question paper committee, and if there is a change in the answer key, it will be announced to all candidates.

  • Queries not submitted according to these instructions will not be considered by the Committee.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Can I get NISER with 60 marks?
A: 

There is no option to get NISER with 60 marks. The safe marks in NEST for NISER admission are 120+ marks. 

Q:   NEST exam is for what purpose?
A: 

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.

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How to Calculate Scores with NEST 2027 Answer Keys

Candidates can calculate their scores with the help of NEST 2027 answer keys in the following manner.

  • Count the number of right answers
  • Count the number of wrong answers
  • Add three for the right answers
  • Subtract the number of wrong answers from the multiplied marks.

NEST 2027 Marking Scheme

The marking scheme is given below.

  • +3 marks for each right answer
  • -1 mark for each wrong answer
  • Zero for unanswered questions.
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is good score in NEST exam?
A: 

For each section, "20% 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 Chemistry section is 43 out of 50, then SMAS for the Chemistry section would be 43*0.20 = 8.6 marks. It will be same for other section too. 

SMAS for the two sessions, for any particular section, can be of different numerical values. The value of SMAS will be different for different category students i.e if it 100 for General candidates then it will be 90 for OBC and 50 for SC/ST and Divyangjan applicants.  

Q:   Is the NEST exam hard or easy?
A: 

Based on exam analysis, NEST is of a moderate difficulty level. Students whose conceptual knowledge is good can easily crack the exam. To prepare for the test candidates must follow the exam syllabus.

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NEST Marks Vs Rank

Candidates can check the NEST marks vs rank to know what rank they might get based on the marks secured in the exam. Marks vs Rank is probable data; the actual rank varies based on various factors. The expected NEST marks vs rank will help students to target their desired rank. Here we have provided the NEST expected marks vs rank 2027 for the GEN category.

Marks Rank
180-160 1-10
160-140 1-50
140-120 51-100
120-100 101-200
100-90 201-350
90-80 351-550

 

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is NEST cut off?
A: 

The NEST cutoff marks refer to the minimum marks required for a candidate to qualify and secure a rank in the merit list of NISER and CEBS. NEST exam authorities will release the cutoff marks for NEST along with the result. Applicants who will secure the NEST cutoff marks will be eligible to participate in the counselling process, which is held separately by NISER and CEBS for admission to their Integrated MSc courses.

Q:   What is the pattern of NEST exam? Will it be MCQ based?
A: 

The question paper consists of 4 (four) sections of objective (MCQ) type questions. Each section is of 60 marks and will contain subject-specific questions from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics. Each section has 20 questions, with exactly one correct answer. Each question carries 3 marks; choosing an incorrect answer will lead to a deduction of 1 mark, and no marks are deducted for not answering a question. It is in the interest of the candidate to attempt all sections. 

Q:   What is the benefit of NEST exam?
A: 

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.   

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NEST 2027 Cutoff

NEST cutoff 2027 will be released online. There are two types of cutoffs in NEST: Sectional Cutoff and admission cutoff. Candidates whose marks are above the sectional cutoff will be considered for the counselling process. Here we have provided the NEST 2026 SMAS score. 

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

 

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FAQs for NEST 2027 Answer Key

Below are the faqs regarding the NEST answer key 2027.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Is Biology compulsory for NEST exam?
A: 

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.

Q:   What were NEST previous year cutoff marks
A: 

The NEST cutoff marks for session I, for NISER Bhubaneswar are mentioned below: 

Subject CategoryUR/UR-DivyangOBC/OBC-Divyang
SCST/SCST-Divyang
Biology8.83/8.397.95/7.504.41/3.97
Chemistry11.26/10.7010.14/9.575.63/5.07
Mathematics9.63/9.158.67/8.194.82/4.33
Physics9.44/8.978.49/8.024.72/4.25
Q:   What is the percentile score in NEST results?
A: 

The percentile score are the marks secured by the applicants in NEST exam in all the sections. 

Since as per new exam pattern NEST will consider marks of top three subjects out of four, in which he/she secures the maxium marks. 

The merit list of NISER and CEBS will be prepared based on percentile scores, that is calculated based on the relative performance of all the qualified candidates in each session. 

Q:   Which institutes accept the scores of NEST?
A: 

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. 

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Answered 3 days ago

100 out of 240 marks is an average score. It can be good depending on your category. However, it is borderline or insufficient mark for the general unreserved category.

V

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

NEST admit card 2027 is expected to be released in the third week of May 2027. Registered candidates can download the admit card online on the website nestexam.in. To download the admit card, candidates need to access the login portal using their credentials and download the admit card.

V

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 10

4 Institutes accepting NEST

Chanakya University

Devanhalli, Bangalore • Private

Admissions 2026

Chanakya U
B.Sc. (Hons) in Chemistry
    • CUPP Entrance Exam, IAT, NEST
    • ₹ 5.00 Lakh
    • 4 years
    • |
    • Full Time

    Azim Premji University

    Hosur Road, Bangalore • Private

    Admissions 2026

    Azim Premj
    B.Sc. in Mathematics
    • ₹ 14.74 Lakh
    • 4 years
    • |
    • Full Time
    Integrated M.Sc. in Biology
    • ₹ 20,000
    • 5 years
    • |
    • Full Time
    Integrated B.Sc. + M.Sc
    • ₹ 60,000
    • 5 years
    • |
    • Full Time

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