NEST Answer Key 2026 (OUT): Dates, Process to Download and Raise Objection

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 question paper comprises 4 sections, including Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics. Each section carries 20 questions. Each question carries three marks. NEST 2026 total marks are 240.

The exam authority released the NEST 2026 answer key on June 8, 2026. Students can download the NEST answer key pdf using the link updated on the website. The correct answers are mentioned in the answer key PDF.

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

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.

The following candidates are eligible to apply for NISER 2026.

• Candidates who have completed class 10+2 from a recognised board with at least three out of four disciplines - Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology.
• Obtained 60% marks (55% for SC, ST and Divyangjan categories) in aggregate.

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.

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.  

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.

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. 

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.   

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 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. 

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

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.