Colleges accepting JEST 2025 scores/ranks for admission
Joint Entrance Screening Test 2024 ( JEST )
The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), JEST 2025 exam dates for admission to PhD and Int PhD programmes are available on the official site. The JEST exam was conducted on Sunday, June 22, 2025, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Read this Shiksha article to know all the participating Institutes for the JEST 2025 Exam.
Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST) is a great opportunity for those candidates who wish to seek admission in PhD or Integrated PhD programmes in science streams or disciplines such as Physics/ Theoretical Computer Science/ Neuroscience/ Computational Biology.
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The Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram, recognises JEST as a National Eligibility Test (NET). IIST, the examination conducting body, conducted the JEST 2025 Exam on June 22, 2025, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at 38 exam centres across India. The Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST) is an entrance examination conducted in India for admission to PhD and Integrated PhD. programs in various fields of physics, theoretical computer science, and neuroscience. The JEST 2025 result will be out soon on the official website.
The minimum GATE score to get an admission into IISC Bangalore course-wise is tabulated below:
There are various premier research institutes and universities in India that accept JEST scores for admissions purposes. Each institute has its own eligibility and selection criteria for the exam takers. So, it is advisable for all the applicants to go through the eligibility criteria of the institute if they wish to get admission so that they exactly know whether they are eligible to appear for the exam or not.
- JEST Exam 2025: Important Dates Table
- JEST 2025 Marking Scheme
- Academic programmes offered by JEST 2025
- JEST 2025: List of Colleges & Courses for Admission
JEST Exam 2025: Important Dates Table
Below is the table mentioning all the important exam events and their announced dates:
| Events | Dates (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| JEST 2025 Application Form Start Date | May 19 2025 |
| JEST 2025 Application Form Last Date | June 1, 2025 |
| JEST 2025 Admit Card | Fourth Week of June |
| JEST 2025 Exam | June 22, 2025 (2:00 pm to 5:00 pm) |
| JEST 2025 Answer Key | will be out soon |
| JEST 2025 Results | will be out soon |
Before preparing for the exam, aspirants should carefully review the exam pattern and prepare their strategy accordingly. As per the exam pattern for JEST 2025, the paper will consist of 50 questions. The test paper comprises multiple-choice questions, and the paper will be divided into three parts. In the JEST exam, candidates are evaluated out of 100 marks. Candidates can expect the same exam pattern for the year 2025.
| Section | No. of Questions |
|---|---|
| Part A | 15 |
| Part B | 10 |
| Part C | 25 |
| Total | 50 |
JEST 2025 Marking Scheme
There is a differential marking scheme in the JEST exam, which means that the marking scheme will vary in each section. The following table brings the detailed new marking scheme for the JEST 2025 exam.
| Section | Marks for Each Correct Answer | Marks for Each Incorrect Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Part A | +3 | -1 |
| Part B | +9 | -3 |
| Maximum Marks | 300 | |
Academic programmes offered by JEST 2025
Admission will be made to the following programmes in 2025–25.
- PhD / Integrated PhD Programme in Physics
- Theoretical Computer Science
- Neuroscience or Computational Biology
JEST 2025: List of Colleges & Courses for Admission
Candidates are informed that to secure admission in courses offered at JEST participating colleges, they need to clear the eligibility criteria as fixed by each college. Colleges that accept JEST 2025 scores for admission are as mentioned below:
The cutoff marks for NEST are usually 80-90 for the general and EWS categories, while less than that for other categories .The cutoff marks for JEST and JAM are not explicitly mentioned by NISER, but they are used for admission to the Integrated M.Sc.-Ph.D. program. The selection for Ph.D. admission is based on the overall performance and the marks obtained in any of the National Level Eligibility Tests such as NET, ICMR, ICAR, DBT, and GATE . The shortlisted candidates are asked to appear for a group discussion and a personal interview. NISER provides hostel facilities to its students, with separate accommodation for girls and boys
To get a seat at IIST Trivandrum through CCMT, candidate must target a score mentioned in the cutoff list. The cutoff was released for different the categories belonging to the All India quota. Among the General AI category candidates, the target score for different specialisations were at the range of 350 and 528, for different specialisations.
Here is the list of some JEST participating colleges 2026 students shall know about:
Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore
- Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bangalore
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER)
- Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bangalore
- National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), TIFR, Pune
- Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad
- Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT), Indore
- Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics (SINP), Kolkata
- Bose Institute
- Institute of Physics (IOP), Bhubaneswar
- International Centre for Theoretical Sciences (ICTS)-TIFR, Bangalore
- National Brain Research Centre (NBRC), Manesar
- National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar
- Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bangalore
| Participating Institute |
Courses/Subject Areas Offered |
|---|---|
| Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital |
Astronomy and Astrophysics, and Atmospheric Physics |
| Bose Institute, Kolkata |
Atmospheric sciences, Biophysics, Complex systems and networks, Condensed matter physics and materials science, High energy physics and astroparticle physics, Quantum physics and quantum information, Nuclear and radiation physics |
| PhD & Integrated PhD (refer official website for more details) |
|
| Theoretical Physics, Astrophysics |
|
| International Centre for Theoretical Sciences (ICTS)-TIFR, Bangalore |
Astrophysical Relativity, Data Assimilation and Dynamical Systems, Statistical Physics and Turbulence, and String Theory and Quantum Gravity |
| Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam |
Solid State Phase transformations, Superconductivity, Structure and dynamics of soft condensed matter, Band structure studies, Accelerators based Irradiation induced phenomena, Low-dimensional systems, Physics of interfaces, Nano-materials, Thin films technology and Theoretical physics |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics, Astronomical Instrumentation, Optics, and Atomic Physics |
|
| Condensed Matter Physics (Experiments and Theory), Astronomy and Astrophysics (Theoretical), Atomic and Optical Physics (Experimental), Biocrystallography and Bio-informatics, and High Energy Physics (Theoretical) |
|
| Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal |
Condensed Matter Physics (Theory and Experiment), Soft Matter Physics (Theory), Biophysics, Laser Plasma Interactions, Ultrafast Physics (Experiment), Astrophysics and Cosmology, High Energy Physics (Theory, Phenomenology and Experiment), Non-linear Optics |
| Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Kolkata |
Condensed Matter Physics, Field Theory, Classical & Quantum Gravity, Cosmology, Solar Science, High Energy Physics, Non-linear dynamics, Statistical Physics, Soft Matter, Optics & Spectroscopy, Atomic physics, Biophotonics, Spintronics, Nanoscience, NMR, Quantum Information |
| Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali |
Quantum Theory, Quantum Information Processing, NMR-Methodology, Optics, Statistical Mechanics, Quantum Thermodynamics, Non-linear Dynamics, String Theory, Ultrafast Physics, and Low Temperature Mesoscopic Physics |
| Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune |
Field Theory, Theoretical Particle Physics, Condensed Matter Physics, Non-linear Dynamics, Complex Systems and Networks, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Quantum Information Processing, Radio Astrophysics, Atomic Physics and Quantum Optics, Energy Studies, Solar and Plasma Physics, Nanosciences, Scanning Probe Techniques, and Semiconductor Physics and Devices |
| Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Thiruvananthapuram |
Experimental Condensed Matter: Magnetic and Superconducting materials, Nanoscience and Energy materials, Photonics, Soft Condensed Matter, Semiconductor Physics and Devices Surface Sciences and Nano-scale Plasmonics, Terahertz and Ultrafast Spectroscopy
Theory: Cosmology, Classical and Quantum Gravity, Gravitational Wave Physics, Quantum Information Theory, Quantum Field Theory, and Statistical Physics. |
| Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram |
Astronomy and Astrophysics, Atmospheric Sciences, Applied and Adaptive Optics, Atomic and Molecular Physics, Condensed Matter Physics, Nanotechnology, Nonlinear Dynamics, Photonics, Quantum Information and Statistical Physics |
| Theoretical Physics, Theoretical Computer Science, and Computational Biology |
|
| Institute of Physics (IOP), Bhubaneswar |
Physics (Condensed Matter, Nuclear and High Energy Physics) and Accelerator-based Research |
| Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), Gandhinagar |
Physics (Experimental and Theoretical) |
| Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune |
Physics, Astronomy and Astrophysics |
| Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bangalore |
Experimental and Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics, Statistical Mechanics, and Materials Science |
| Molecular, Computaional and Systems Neuroscience. Sensory & motor systems, learning & memory, language & speech processing, functional neuroimaging: EEG, MEG, fMRI, MRS, stem cells, developmental neurobiology, neurogenetics, neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders, cancer signaling & glial tumor biology |
|
| National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA)-TIFR, Pune |
Astronomy and Astrophysics |
| National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar |
Theoretical High Energy Physics and Lattice QCD, Experimental High Energy Physics, Condensed Matter Physics (Theory and Experiment), Optics and Metamaterials |
| Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad |
Theoretical Physics, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Solar Physics, Space and Atmospheric Sciences, Planetary Science and Geo-Sciences |
| Lasers and their Applications, Laser Plasma Interaction, Cold Atom Physics, Condensed Matter Physics (Superconductivity and Magnetism, Crystals and Thin Films), Nanomaterials and Applications, Non-linear and Ultrafast Optical Studies, Beam Physics, and Free Electron Laser |
|
| Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bangalore |
Astronomy and Astrophysics, Light and Matter Physics, Soft Condensed Matter Physics (Liquid Crystals, Physics in Biology), and Theoretical Physics |
| Condensed Matter Physics (Theory and Experiments), Nuclear Physics (Theory and Experiments), High Energy Physics (Theory and Experiments), Astroparticle Physics, Quantum Gravity, String Theory, Mathematical Physics, and Materials Science (Surface Science and Plasma Physics) |
|
| Satyendra Nath Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences (SNBNCBS), Kolkata |
Astrophysics and Cosmology, Chemical and Biological Physics, Condensed Matter Physics and Material Science, High Energy Physics and Quantum Field Theory, Mathematical Physics, Nanosciences, Quantum Optics and Quantum Information, Statistical Physics, and Complex Systems |
| TIFR Centre for Interdisciplinary Sciences (TCIS), Hyderabad |
Condensed Matter Physics & Materials Science of Nonequilibrium, Soft & Living matter, Fluid Dynamics, Intense Laser-matter interactions, Computational Physics, Statistical physics, NMR of Biophysical & other systems |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics, Condensed Matter Physics and Material Science, High Energy Physics, Nuclear and Atomic Physics, Theoretical Physics |
|
| UGC-DAE Consortium for Scientific Research (UGC-DAE CSR), Indore |
Surfaces, Interfaces, Thin Films and Nanomaterials, Physics at Low Temperatures and High Magnetic Fields, X-ray, Optical and Electron Spectroscopic Studies Using Synchrotron and Laboratory Sources; Electrical, Magnetic and Thermal Properties of Condensed Matter; Condensed Matter studies using Magnetic Neutron Diffraction, Nuclear Technique Based Condensed Matter Physics-Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy, Mossbauer Spectroscopy, Experimental Nuclear Physics, Gamma Ray Spectroscopy of Nuclear High Spin States, and Nuclear Reactions |
| Accelerator Physics, Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science, Nuclear Physics (Experiments and Theory), Relativistic Heavy Ion Collisions (Experiments, Theory, QCD and QGP), and Physics of Neutrinos (Experiments) |
|
| TIFR Centre for Interdisciplinary Sciences (TIFR-TCIS), Hyderabad |
Condensed Matter Physics & Materials Science of Nonequilibrium, Soft & Living matter, Fluid Dynamics, Intense Laser-matter interactions, Computational Physics, Statistical physics, NMR of Biophysical & other systems |
Candidates who are going to appear for this year's JEST Entrance Exam must go through this entire article to understand the programmes offered by JEST, the JEST Marking scheme, and important dates related to the upcoming events in detail. This will help them understand the overall information needed to prepare for the JEST Exam. Also, the list of all the participating institutes of the JEST Exam will help candidates choose their preferred course and college wisely.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a month ago
You will have to upload your photograph (passport size photo) and your signature (on a white background) during the JEST 2026 registration.
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
JEST is conducted once a year usually in the month of February, but the exam month of each year changes.
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
JEST 2026 eligibility criteria depends on the specific programme and participating institute, but generally require a master's or bachelor's degree in relevant Science or engineering field.
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
JEST 2026 Eligibility criteria depends on the specific programme and participating institute, but generally require a bachlor's or master's degree in relevant Science or engineering field.
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
There are many important documents for JEST 2026 but a photograph (a clear, recent passport size photo) and a signature (on a white background).
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
The application fee for JEST 2026 is given below. Students are advised to go through these details:
General Category: INR 950
Non SC/ST female: INR 475
SC/ST (male), EWS, and differently abled: INR 475
SC/ST female: Fully Waived
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
Here is the list of some JEST participating colleges 2026 students shall know about:
Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore
- Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bangalore
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER)
- Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
Previous year students who appeared for the JEST exam found that the exam is moderate to difficult. And therefore, JEST 2026 is assumed to be moderate to difficult. Candidates are advised to study hard for their exam.
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
Create a study plan, priotitise important topics and study according to it, go through syllabus. Solve previous year question paper. Also you can practice mock test to practice to track your progress. And make sure to revise regularly and learn time management during your preparation period.
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
Part A: 1 mark correct answer & -1/3 incorrect answer
Part B: 3 marks correct answer & -1 incorrect answer
Part C: 3 marks correct answer & no negative marking HERE
R
Contributor-Level 9
IISc Bangalore cutoff 2024 has been released for BSc (Research) in Physics in the form of opening and closing ranks. IISc Bangalore had released its last-round for the candidates seeking admission through JEE Main scores. The minimum rank for B.Sc. (Research) in Physics based on last-round cutoff was 903 for the students belonging to the General All India Quota.
Further, for the OBC AI category, the required rank stood at 1665. Check out more cutoffs related to different AI categories in the table given below: