NEST Application Form 2026 (Begins): Eligibility, Document, Fees & Steps to Apply Online

The NEST 2026 eligibility criteria are defined on both basis age wise as well education wise.

Admissions in NISER, Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS, Mumbai are done based on a candidate's score in the NEST exam. Candidates who have passed Class 12 from the Science stream are eligible to apply for the NEST exam. 

Candidates should pass Class 12 in Science stream from a recognised board in India with at least 60% aggregate marks (55% for SC/ ST/ PWD category candidates). Candidates should have passed Class XII either last year or will pass this year.

There is no age limit to appear for NEST.

NEST 2026 exam will be conducted in 140 cities across India. Applicants have to select three cities in order of preference. Every effort will be made to allot the centre of first preference. The final decision lies with the authorities. The exam conducting authorities will release the NEST 2026 admit card on May 15, 2026, which will mention the allotted NEST exam centre to the applicants.

The Application fee for the NEST Exam for the upcoming academic session 2026 is notified. The NEST 2026 Application fee for male candidates of the General and OBC categories is INR 1,400. The application fee for candidates in the SC/ST/Divyangjan categories and for all female candidates is INR 700. Payments can be made using credit card/debit card/Netbanking, and UPI modes.

Important things to remember for the NEST 2026 online application are mentioned below:

• The correct email address should be provided. The NEST office communicates with candidates through this e-mail ID only. 
• The phone number that is provided during the application should be accessible by the candidate. The NEST office uses this phone number to reach a candidate or to send SMS messages whenever necessary. 
• A properly scanned and cropped recent passport-sized photograph should be uploaded. A properly scanned and cropped signature should be uploaded. 
• The photograph and signature files must not be more than 80 KB each and must be in. JPG or JPEG format only. 
• Applications incomplete in any respect will not be accepted.  

Applications can be submitted only through the NEST 2026 website only. There is no other mode of application submission. Login credentials for logging into the application submission and fee payment portals will be provided upon online registration.

The NEST 2026 application form has been released on January 5. The last date is April 6. The application process is completely online. The application correction facility will be provided from April 13 to April 14.

Applicants must have the following document to upload while filling NEST application form:

• Class 10 mark sheet/ report card/ certificate
• Class 12 mark sheet/ report card/ certificate
• Digital copy of the photograph
• Scanned signature

The size of photograph and signature will be mentioned in official notification. Applicants are advised to follow the same specifications otherwise their candidature/application form may be rejected by the authorities.

The test centres of NEST exam are allotted based on the number of applicants opting for a particular test. It is to be noted that NEST committee reserves the right to cancel or add any of the test cities without prior notice to applicants.

The final allocation of NEST Test Centres will be mentioned on the admit card, Applicants can not make any request to change the address or venue in it once it is decided.

The NEST 2026 application process is being conducted from January 5 to April 6, 2026. The application fee has to be paid by April 12, 2026. The National Entrance Screening Test or NEST 2026 application form date has been announced on December 15, 2025. The NEST application process will be online. The fee has to be paid through Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking or UPI. 

While filling the NEST online form, candidates must ensure that they uploaded the photograph in the format prescribed by exam authorities. The digital photograph uploaded by candidates need to be in JPEG format and should not have exceeded 80 KB.

If all the image specifications are correct then also applicants need to check their internet failing which their registration process can be cancelled.