NEST 2026 Exam Dates (Out): Application (Jan 5-April 6), Exam Date (June 6), Admit Card & Other Dates
National Entrance Screening Test 2026 ( NEST )
Registration - 5 Jan '26 - 6 Apr '26
NISER and UM-DAE CEBS have announced the NEST 2026 exam dates. The National Entrance Screening Test will be conducted on June 6, 2026, from 2 PM to 5 PM. The exam will be conducted as a computer-based test. Students can check the exam date for NEST 2026 to know the schedule for the events like registration, admit card, entrace test, answer key, and result. The exam authority released the NEST 2026 application form on January 5, 2026.
The NEST 2026 Admit Card will be released for the eligible candidates on May 15, 2026. Other NEST important dates of 2026, for events such as mock test, answer keys and results, are yet to be announced. After the result is declared, the NEST 2026 counselling process will be conducted tentatively from July to September 2026. Get information about the NEST exam dates 2026 here on this page. NEST is the entrance exam for Integrated MSc courses offered by NISER Bhubaneswar and UM DAE CEBS.
Also Read:
NEST 2026 Application Form to be Out Soon
NEST 2026 Exam Dates Out; Registration to Begin on January 5
- NEST 2026 Exam Overview
- NEST 2026 Exam Timing
- NEST 2026 Application Dates
- NEST 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule
- NEST 2026 Events and Dates
- FAQs on NEST 2026 Important Dates
NEST 2026 Exam Overview
NEST is an undergraduate-level entrance exam for Science stream students for admission to the five-year Integrated MSc course offered at NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS. NEST 2026 will be conducted in a computer-based mode in around 140 cities across India. Check out this table to know important details related to the NEST 2026 exam.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | National Entrance Screening Test |
| Conducting Body | NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai |
| Exam Level | Undergraduate Exam at the National Level |
| Exam Frequency | Once a Year |
| Mode of Exam | Online or Computer-Based Test |
| Courses Offered Through Entrance Exam | Integrated MSc |
| Exam Fees | INR 1,400 (Male candidates of General and OBC categories) INR 700 (Female candidates of all categories and male candidates of SC, ST and PwD categories) |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours |
| Total Marks | 240 |
| Total Number of Questions | 60 |
| Marking Scheme | +3 for each correct answer -1 for each wrong answer 0 for unanswered questions |
| Language/Medium of Questions | English and Hindi |
| Colleges Accepting NEST Score |
2 colleges
|
| Total Number of Seats |
261
|
| Number of Exam Cities | 140 |
| Official Website | https://www.nestexam.in/ |
| Contact Details | Helpline Number - 0674-2494017 Email - nest-exam@niser.ac.in |
Commonly asked questions
The NEST Syllabus is available on the official portal for those students who wish to appear for the exam. One needs to visit the official portal to be able to download the syllabus for all subjects. They need to click on the syllabus and information brochure link in the top right corner of the homepage. Then, students need to click on the link available for Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics to access the PDFs of all these NEST Subjects.
NEST 2026 exam notification has been released by the examination conducting body on December 15, 2025. According to the official notification, this year NEST exam is scheduled to be conducted on June 6, 2026, across India. According to the NEST important dates, the application form will be released on January 5, 2026, and the last date will be April 6, 2026. Rest of the dates, such as the release of mock test, answer key and result will be announced later.
NEST 2026 Exam Timing
The NEST 2026 exam duration is three hours. The exam timing is 2 to 5 PM. There will be no breaks in between. Test takers will also not be allowed to leave the NEST centre before the exam ends. As per the Government of India guidelines, PWD candidates will be given a compensatory 20 minutes per hour.
Candidates can check the schedule of the NEST 2026 Exam from the below table.
| Event | Exam timings | Reporting timings |
|---|---|---|
| NEST 2026 Entrance Exam | 2 PM to 5 PM | By 1 PM |
According to the NEST 2026 information bulletin, test-takers will not be allowed to enter the exam hall after 3 PM, which is an hour after the test begins. On the other hand, they will not be allowed to leave the centre before 4 PM, unless it becomes necessary on medical grounds.
The exact schedule and instructions regarding the NEST 2026 exam day timing will be announced on the admit card, which must be followed by test-takers to avoid inconveniences on the exam day. Students must take their designated seats at the exam hall within the said time. They should leave the centre only after the invigilator permits them. They should take bio breaks before the exam starts to avoid leaving during the exam.
Commonly asked questions
The hall ticket of NEST 2026 will be released by the exam authority, NISER, Bhubaneswar. The NEST 2026 admit card will be released in online mode on May 15, 2026. Applicants who will successfully fill the application form will be able to download the admit card by entering their login credentials. i.e user ID and password.
The NEST 2026 exam will be conducted in a single shift. The exam timing is from 2 PM to 5 PM. Students have to reach the exam hall at least one hour before the exam. Those reaching the centre after 1 PM will not be allowed entry. The exam timing will be provided on the NEST admit card. Test takers will also not be allowed to leave the hall before 5 PM.
NEST 2026 Application Dates
The NEST 2026 application dates are scheduled from January 5 to April 6, 2026. Even though the application form is yet to be released, it is likely that the process will begin on the slated date. The last date to pay the application fee is April 12, 2026. The registration and application process will be completely online. Candidates planning to apply for NEST 2026 have to follow the process given below.
- Visit the official website - nestexam.in
- Click on the tab Register Now
- Fill up the mandatory fields
- Generate Username and Password
- Log in with the registration details
- Fill the form and upload documents
- Pay the application fee through Credit or Debit Card, Net Banking or UPI
- Download and print the confirmation page.
The application fee for NEST 2026 is given below.
| Category |
Fees (in INR) |
|---|---|
| Male candidates of the Unreserved/ EWS/OBC category |
1,400 |
| Female candidates in the Unreserved/EWS/OBC category |
700 |
| SC/ST/PwD/Transgender category candidates |
700 |
The NEST 2026 application will be considered successful after the payment of the fee. The fee has remained the same as last year. The NEST application fee is non-refundable.
Commonly asked questions
Candidates will be able to pay the application fee of NEST 2026 till April 12, 2026, by 11.30 PM. The last date to submit the application form is April 6, 2026. After all details on the NEST application form are filled, candidates need to pay the application fee. Candidates can make the payment of the NEST 2026 application fee online (through credit/debit card, net banking, UPI) modes. After the payment is done, applicants need to download the receipt of payment for future use.
Candidates must know that the allotment of an examination centre by the NEST Committee has to be regarded as final, and the request for a change of centre will, in general, not be entertained. The address of the test venue allotted to the applicant will be mentioned on the NEST admit card.
NEST 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule
Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of NEST 2026 exam
| Dates | Upcoming Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| 05 Jan ' 26 - 06 Apr ' 26 | NEST 2026 Application Process ONGOING |
| 05 Jan ' 26 - 12 Apr ' 26 | NEST 2026 Application Process ONGOING |
| 13 Apr ' 26 - 14 Apr ' 26 | NEST 2026 Application Form Correction Window |
| May ' 26 | NEST 2026 Mock Test Release TENTATIVE |
| 15 May ' 26 | NEST 2026 Admit Card |
| 06 Jun ' 26 | NEST 2026 Exam Date |
| Jun ' 26 | NEST 2026 Answer Key TENTATIVE |
NEST 2026 Events and Dates
The important dates and events for NEST 2026 are mentioned below.
NEST 2026 Application Form: NISER and UM-DAE CEBS commenced the NEST 2026 registration on January 5. Students can apply online at nestexam.in. The application process comprises registration, form filling, uploading documents and payment of application fees. Students can pay the NEST application fee online via credit card / debit card / net banking. NEST registration last date is April 6, 2026.
NEST 2026 Application Correction: The exam authority will commence the application form correction process on April 13, 2026. The registered students can edit the information mentioned in the NEST application. The last date for form correction is April 14, 2026.
NEST 2026 Admit Card: The registered candidates can download the admit card for NEST 2026 online. It is expected to release in May 15. The exam date and time, centre name and address, candidate details and instructions for the exam day will be mentioned in the NEST admit card 2026.
NEST Mock Test 2026: The exam authorities will release the NEST mock test tentatively in the first week of May 2026. It will help students to be familiar with the actual exam interface and navigation.
NEST 2026 Exam Day: The NEST 2026 exam will be held on June 6. The computer-based test will have 80 objective type multiple choice questions from Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology. Candidates have to attempt at least three sections. Each question will have four answer options. Out of this, candidates can select only one. Marks per question are four. One mark will be deducted for a wrong answer.
NEST 2026 Answer Key: The provisional NEST 2026 answer keys will be available on the exam portal by the second week of June. In case of discrepancies, students have to submit objections by paying the requisite fee and process within the said date. Based on objections, the final NEST answer keys will be announced.
NEST 2026 Result: The result of NEST 2026 will be declared by the fourth week of June. It will be released in the form of a scorecard on the exam portal. The NEST 2026 scorecard should be saved till the admission process is completed. A merit list will be released separately, carrying the names of qualified candidates by securing the NEST Cutoff.
NEST 2026 Counselling: Qualifying candidates will be eligible to participate in the NEST counselling process. Both the participating institutes will conduct the process separately. The total duration of the counselling is likely to be three to four months. The number of rounds will depend on the number of unoccupied seats.
Commonly asked questions
Candidates have to go to the exam portal to download the NEST 2026 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.
The NEST 2026 exam will be conducted on June 6, 2026. The exam result was declared tentatively in the second week of July 2026, after a few days, when the NEST answer Key objection window is over.
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FAQs on NEST 2026 Important Dates
Check out the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) of NEST 2026 Important Dates.
Commonly asked questions
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.
Applicants are advised to reach the exam centre along with the items mentioned below.
- NEST Admit Card
- Valid ID proof or Admit card of Class 12 Board exam
- Pencil/Pen
Students must note that no electronic gadgets will be permitted in the exam hall. Hence, they should not to carry anything. Along with this, applicants are advised to reach the exam hall before the time mentioned on the admit card.
The NEST 2026 result is expected to be out by the fourth week of June. The exact result date has not been announced with the notification. The exam will be conducted on June 6. Generally, NEST result is declared within a few weeks of the exam. Before that, answer keys will be released. Objections can be submitted within the given date. Based on objections received by test-takers, the NEST result will be prepared.
Based on previous year trends, the exam authorities may extend the NEST 2026 application last date. As of now, the last date to register is April 6, 2026. Based on student requests and other factors, the last date of application may be extended. The NEST application form 2026 will be released on January 5, 2026.
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.
NEST Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a week ago
Nest Academy of Sports Management offers programmes at UG and PG levels. The minimum eligibility required for UG programmes is passing Class 12 in any stream from a recognised Board of Education while for PG programmes, candidates must pass UG in any stream from a recognised university.
h
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Find below some important documents required during the admission process at NASM, Mumbai:
- 3 passport size photographs
- Photocopy of 10th marksheet and certificates
- Photocopy of 12th marksheet and certificates
- Photocopy of Graduation marksheet and Provisional Certificate / degree (applicable only for PG
h
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
NASM, Mumbai, application process is conducted strictly in the online mode via the official NASM website. Find below the steps of the application process:
- Go to the official NASM website.
- Select 'Apply Now' on the right tab of the website.
- Fill the registration form with the required personal details.
- S
h
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
No, NASM, Mumbai, requires candidates to pass Class 12 with atleast 45% aggregate in order to be eligibile for the offered UG programmes. A student who has just passed Class 10 must Pass Class 12 and apply for admission after results for Class 12 have been released.
h
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
NASM, Mumbai offers UG programmes for 1 year - 3 years. For programmes at PG level, the duration is 1 year - 2 years. The total tuition fee for UG programmes is INR 99,000. Likewise, the PG programmes fee is INR 1,80,000 - 3,60,000. Students can pay the fee amount via online or offline mode.
h
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
The admission process at NASM, Mumbai is entrance based for all courses. The academy conducts its own assessment to understand the aspirant's personality traits, academic goals and aims. The assessment is either a project submission or an interview or both. Hereafter, the candidate, if selected, mus
h
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Find below a step-wise explanation of the admission process at Nest Academy of Sports Management (NASM), Mumbai:
- Registration: Go to the official NASM website and register by submitting an enquiry.
- Contact by admissions team: Admissions team will get in touch to guide you further.
- Entrance test: Give a
h
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
NEST exam previous year question paper is available online at nestexam.in. The steps to download the NEST previous year question paper PDF are mentioned below.
- Go to the NEST website
- Select the question archive.
- The question paper pdf will display.
- Click on the NEST exam previous year question pdf link.
V
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 2 weeks ago
The NEST question paper is divided into four sections. The questions are based on Class 11 & 12 Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology. Each section has 20 questions. Every question carries 3 marks. Negative marking is done for wrong answers.
V
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 2 weeks ago
NEST question paper with answer will be updated on the website, nestexam.in. Students can download the question paper and answer key in PDF format. NEST previous year questions are best for the preparation of the exam.
V
Contributor-Level 8
3 Institutes accepting NEST
West Bengal - Other • Public
4.6Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in...
Santacruz East, Mumbai • Public
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What is the minimum eligibility required for admission to programmes offered at Nest Academy of Sports Management, Mumbai?