NEST 2026 Cutoff (OUT): Check NEST Cutoff & Previous Year Cutoff Marks

The sectional cut-off marks known as SMAS are the key parameter for shortlisting a candidate. The merit list of NEST 2026 for NISER and CEBS is based on percentile scores obtained by the candidates in all the subject sections.

• The total score of a candidate.
• For each section, 20 per cent of the average of the best 100 scores in the section will be the SMAS. 
• The numerical value of SMAS varies for each section. 
• Candidates should meet SMAS to qualify for the merit list of NISER and CEBS.
• For the OBC category, SMAS would be 90 per cent of SMAS for the General category.
• For SC/ ST/ Divyangjan, SMAS would be 50 per cent of SMAS for the General category.

Also Read: NEST 2026 counselling

NEST 2026 SMAS Score

Candidates can check SMAS score for NEST 2026 below.

In addition to SMAS, a candidate must have a percentile score equal to or above the Minimum Admissible Percentile (MAP) to obtain a merit rank. Category-wise MAP for NEST 2026 is available online at nestexam.in. The following table brings the category-wise MAP or NEST cutoff percentile. 

Also Read: NEST 2026 question paper

Various factors are taken into consideration to decide the NEST cutoff marks, which are mentioned below.

• Total number of applicants who appeared in the NEST exam
• Difficulty level of the exam. 
• The cut-off marks, i.e. SMAS, will vary for each section as well as MAP for NISER and CEBS. 
• For NISER, candidates should score equal to or above MAP and in SMAS in the General section and all four sections to secure a rank in the merit list.
• For CEBS, candidates should score equal to and above MAP and in SMAS in the General section and any three of the subject sections to secure a rank in the merit list.

Also Read: NEST 2026 exam analysis

The NEST 2026 final ranking of the candidates is based on percentiles calculated from the total scores. The NEST 2026 merit list is published based on the following criteria:

• A candidate is required to obtain a section score that is equal to or greater than the SMAS in at least three sections. Then the candidate is said to be SMAS-qualified.
• The total score of an SMAS-qualified candidate is the sum of the three best scores from the SMAS securing sections.
• A candidate is required to obtain a percentile that is equal to or above the Minimum Admissible Percentile/ MAP (announced for NEST 2026) to get a merit rank.
• A merit rank will be assigned based on the percentile.
• A tie of rank would be broken by first comparing the sum of the two best section scores.
• If the tie of rank persists, then the best section score will be considered.
• If the tie of rank persists, the candidates would be given the same provisional rank at the time of declaration of the results.
• The tie would be broken during admission/counselling by first comparing the aggregate percentage of Class 12, followed by Class 10.

A candidate with an OBC-NCL/ SC/ST category rank will take a Unreserved (UR) seat if the candidate secures a general rank above or equal to the cut-off in the Unreserved (UR) category.
For example, if the topper of the exam (General rank 1) happens to be an OBC-NCL candidate, he/she would get OBC rank 1, as well. In such a case, he/she would be admitted against the General rank under the Unreserved category (UR) so that all OBC-NCL reserved seats remain available.

Also Read: NEST 2026 marks vs rank

Take a look at the frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding NEST cutoff.