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.

is there any sectional weightage to any section in NEST 2024 exam?

Applicants who are planning to appear in NEST exam must note that there is no sectional weightage to any perticular section in the exam. All the sections carry same marks 50-50 each. The total marks for which exam will be conducted is 200 marks and total there will 17-17 questions in each four section. Applicants must note that the authorities will consider the marks secured in 3 best section to prepare the merit list and for the section which have less marks will be ommitted and will not be taken into consideration.

Where can I find NEST 2024 syllabus?

Applicants who want to appear in NEST exam must check the syllabus as well as exam pattern before appearing in the exam. The NEST exam syllabus 2024 has been released by the exam conducting authorities along with the release of the official notification. Applicants are advised to check the NEST previous year syllabus to get an idea about the syllabus. Along with this the authorities also mention that 70 to 80% of questions in the NEST exam will be from the syllabus of class 11th and 12th NCERT books.

Is there any negative marking in NEST 2024?

Yes, according to the NEST previous year exam pattern, there will be differential marking scheme for MCQs and MSQs. Candidates can expect a negative marking in the MCQ-type questions. For each wrong answer, there will be a negative marking of one mark. For each correct answer 2.5 marks will be awarded. No marks will be deducted for wrong or unattempted MSQ questions, though 4 marks will be awarded for each correct answer. The latest update on the negative marking will be updated soon after the release of the NEST 2024 notification.

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 2025: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics & Biology Syllabus PDF Download

372 Students Q&A

Updated on Nov 6, 2025 13:50 IST

By Ishita Chauhan, Retainer

NEST 2025 Syllabus is the foundation to prepare for this exam for candidates who wish to get admission to UM-DAE CEBS and NISER for different programmes like the Integrated 5-year MSc Programme, MSc Programme in Medical & Radiological Physics, Integrated MSc+PhD Programme, and PhD Programme.

It is suggested that students must be well-versed with the NEST Syllabus to qualify for the NEST 2025 Exam. Most of the topics asked in the NEST Exam come from the Class 11 and 12 NCERT/CBSE books. The exam conducting authority will release the NEST 2025 Syllabus via an official notification on their site. The syllabus consists of important topics and subtopics from which questions will be framed in the paper.

Students must check out the NEST 2025 Exam Pattern as well to thoroughly prepare for the exam. The NEST 2025 question paper consists of questions that come from all four sections - Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. To prepare well for the exam, candidates must review the complete NEST 2025 syllabus, as the questions asked will test the candidate's domain-specific knowledge.