How to Fill NEST 2026 Application Form: Process, Fees and Documents

National Entrance Screening Test 2026 ( NEST )

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NEST 2026 Admit Card

15 May '26

Sreetama Datta
Sreetama Datta Roy
Manager Content
Updated on Feb 1, 2026 13:54 IST
The NEST 2026 application process is underway from January 5, and the last date is April 6. The NEST application process is completely online. Students who are yet to fill up the form should read this article on Shiksha brings the step by step process on how to fill NEST 2026 application form.

The NEST 2026 application process is over. The NEST application process was completely online. Students can read this article on Shiksha, which brings the step by step process on how to fill NEST 2026 application form.

How to Fill NEST 2026 Application Form

How to Fill NEST 2026 Application Form

The NEST 2026 application processis over. The application form was available online from January 5 to April 8, 2026. Conducted for the admission to NISER Bhubaneswar and University of Mumbai, Department of Atomic Energy, Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-DAE CEBS). Students planning to apply for the NEST 2026 exam must not wait till the last moment to complete the process.

The NEST application process was completely online. Students who have yet to fill up the form should read this article on Shiksha brings the step by step process on how to fill NEST 2026 application form. Along with that, students can also know about the other important elements of the exam.

Table of contents
  • NEST 2026 Overview
  • Pre-requisites to Fill NEST 2026 Application Form
  • How to Fill NEST 2026 Application Form
  • NEST 2026 Application Form Instructions
  • NEST 2026 Registration Process
  • Details to be Filled in NEST 2026 Application Form
  • NEST 2026 Application Fee Payment
View More

NEST 2026 Overview

The following table brings the key details about 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

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the selection criteria for NISER BSc?
A: 

NISER conducts NEST examination with University of Mumbai for selecting candidates for Integrated BSc + MSc programme. NEST is a competitive examination in India that assesses the knowledge and aptitude of candidates in the field of basic sciences. Apart from qualifying NEST, aspirants also need to complete Class 12 or equivalent examination with at least 60% aggregate (55% aggregate for SC/ ST/ PD Category) for admission to Integrated BSc + MSc course.

Q:   Can I join NISER after Class 12?
A: 

Yes, aspirants who wish to apply for NISER UG programme i.e. Integrated BSc + MSc can join after Class 12. Aspirants must complete Class 12 or equivalent examination with at least 60% aggregate (55% aggregate for SC/ ST/ PD Category) to apply for Integrated MSc programme. Besides, aspirants must pass NEST exam for admission to Integrated BSc + MSc course.

Q:   What is good score in NEST exam?
A: 

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.  

Q:   Does NISER Bhubaneswar refund fees?
A: 

NISER Bhubaneswar's fee refund policy may vary depending on the specific circumstances and the timing of withdrawal or cancellation of admission. It is a good university.

However, if the withdrawal occurs after a certain point in the academic calendar or after classes have commenced, the refund amount may be reduced or it is no refund may be provided.

 

Pre-requisites to Fill NEST 2026 Application Form

Before starting the NEST registration and application process, candidates have to keep the following resources and information ready.

  • A properly functioning desktop or laptop computer system
  • Stable internet connection
  • Compatible internet browsers - Mozilla Firefox (94 to 113), Chrome (88 to 113), Microsoft Edge (88 to 113)
  • The NEST 2026 application form is compatible to mobile operating systems – Android (version 4.0 and above), and iOS (version 9 and above)
  • Active mobile number and email address
  • Class 10 Board Exam Roll Number or Registration Number
  • Scanned copy of photograph and signature
  • Payment mode details and credentials
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How to Fill NEST 2026 Application Form

Now we come to the important section of the article, how to fill the NEST 2026 application form.

  • Visit the official website, i.e. nestexam.in
  • Click on the tab Register Now or directly click on the link - https://cdn3.digialm.com/EForms/configuredHtml/1834/97119/Registration.html
  • Read the instructions carefully
  • Fill up the mandatory fields
  • Generate Username and Password
  • Login with the registration details
  • Fill up the application form and upload documents 
  • Pay the application fee through Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking and UPI modes 
  • Once the registration form is submitted then students must take a printout and save it for further usage.
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   How can I get admission in NISER Bhubaneswar?
A: 

Candidates must first register for NISER Bhubaneshar admission. Aspirants must apply with an application fee for NEST. There is no application fee for PhD programme. The institute selects candidates for Integrated BSc + MSc course based on NEST score. National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) is conducted jointly by the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar and Mumbai University - Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-DAE CEBS). For PhD programme, admission is based on GATE, JEST, GPAT, CSIR NET,  ICMR JRF score.

Q:   Is NEST accepted at CEBS Mumbai?
A: 

Yes, CEBS Mumbai accepts NEST for Integrated MSc programme. Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences, Mumbai University conducts NEST in collaboration with NISER Bhubaneshwar. NEST is an online test conducted once in a year. The NEST syllabus is designed to cover the core concepts in the four Science subjects: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Aspirants are offered seat in Integrated MSc based on NEST score.

Q:   Can I get admission in Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences for B.Sc with 60% in Class 12th?
A: 

Yes, you can get admissions in the Department of Atomic Energy Centre of Excellence in Basic Sciences for B.Sc with 60% in class 12th. 

The minimum marks considered by the institute is 60% in the 12th stream. If you belong to the SC, ST, OBC category, the minimum marks drops down by 5%. If you are completing your class 12th in the CBSE board, you will need a 6.0 and 5.5 CGPA respectively. 

Q:   How many exam centres need to be filled while filling the NEST application form?
A: 

Applicants are allowed to fill the three exam city choices while filling the application form of NEST exam. NEST 2026 will be conducted in 140 cities. Candidates have to enter the city names as per their preferential order, near their present address.

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NEST 2026 Application Form Instructions

Prior to starting the NEST 2026 registration process, candidates should go through the instructions carefully.

  1. Fields marked with * are mandatory
  2. Fill in the details and click on Register to proceed
  3. Please read the Prospectus carefully before registering
  4. After successful registration you will receive User ID and Password to the registered Mobile number and Email ID.
  5. Mobile Number and Email ID can be used only once.
  6. Login link will be sent to the registered Email ID.
  7. Click on the login link to fill the application.

NEST 2026 Registration Process

The first step of the NEST 2026 application process is to register for the exam. To register, candidates have to fill in the following information.

  • Applicant Full Name, as mentioned in Class 10 Board exam admit card
  • Date of Birth (in DD/MM/YY format)
  • Class 10 Roll Number or Registration Number
  • Year of Passing Class 10 (select from dropdown menu)
  • Gender
  • Mobile Number
  • Email ID
  • Enter the OTP sent on the registered email address
  • Read the declaration and click on ‘I Agree’ checkbox
  • Enter the captcha
  • Click on Reverify

The registration credentials will be sent to candidates’ email addresses. This also acts as the registration confirmation.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the fees range for courses offerred by the NISER - National Institute of Science Education and Research?
A: 
The fees range for courses offerred by the NISER - National Institute of Science Education and Research is around INR 95650.
Q:   How much is the fee for PhD at Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences?
A: 

The total tutition fee for Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences, Mumbai University PhD is INR 24,000This information is sourced from official website/ sanctioning body and is subject to change. Aspirants need to pay the course fee at the time of admission to confirm their seat. In case candidate is unable to pay the fee, his or her admission will be cancelled.  

Q:   Which entrance exam are accepted by Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences for admission?
A: 

For admission to its undergraduate and graduate programs, the Department of Atomic Energy's Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (CEBS) accepts scores from a variety of national entrance exams. The following are typical entrance exam results:

1. Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST): To evaluate applicants for integrated Ph.D. programs in physics, theoretical computer science, neuroscience, and computational biology, the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) administers the JEST.

2. National Entrance Screening Test (NEST): For admission to integrated M.Sc. programs in basic sciences, the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) Bhubaneswar and the University of Mumbai administer NEST in tandem.

The precise entrance examinations that are accepted for the chosen degree can be found on the official CEBS website or admission pamphlet.

Q:   When will the NEST application form 2026 release?
A: 

The NEST 2026 application form was released on January 5, and continued till April 8. The application process is completely online. The application correction facility was available from April 18 to April 19, 2026.

Details to be Filled in NEST 2026 Application Form

After completing the registration process, candidates have to log in with their Application Number and password. After that, the application form will open. The basic personal information will be auto-filled, which were entered during the registration process.

The NEST 2026 application form will be divided into the following sections:

  • Personal Details
  • Qualification Details
  • Document Upload and
  • Fee Payment

Now, we will see the information to be entered in each of these sections.

Personal Details

The following information are to be entered in this section of the NEST application form 2026.

  • Father’s/Mother’/Spouse’s Name
  • Category
  • Are you from J&K Domicile?
  • Have you appeared/appearing 12th Standard in J & K/Ladakh?
  • Status of Physical Disability, if yes, then category and scribe requirement
  • Details of guardian – Name, relationship, and mobile number
  • Present and Permanent Address

Qualification Details

In this section, applicants have to enter Class 10 and Class 12 Board exam details. The information to be entered are as follows:

  • Name of Board/Council
  • Year of Passing
  • Percentage of Marks

Document Upload

This section includes two sub-sections, exam city selection and document upload. Candidates have to select three exam cities in preferred order. The NEST 2026 exam centre will be allotted based on the preferences. “Students will be allotted as per their 1st preference as far as possible. However in case of unavailability of nodes in the City of 1st Preference, 2nd and then 3rd choices will be considered. In extreme cases, candidates will be allotted to the nearby available centres. The centres printed on the admit card will be final,” authorities have stated.

Documents to be uploaded

The following table brings the list of documents to be uploaded along with the format and sizes.

Document Type

File Size

File Format

Photograph

Up to 200 KB

JPG or JPEG

Signature

Up to 200 KB

JPF or JPEG

J&K Domicile Certificate (if applicable)

Up to 80 KB

PDF

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NEST 2026 Application Fee Payment

The final step is to pay the NEST 2026 application fee. The category-wise fee 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/ category candidates

700

The fee has to be paid through online mode only, which is Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking and UPI modes.

After successful payment of fees, candidates will get confirmation through email. They are advised to save a take printout of the same till the admission process is over. The NEST 2026 exam will be conducted on June 6, 2026.

Read More:

NEST 2026 Documents Required
NEST 2026 Application Fee

NEST 2026 Eligibility Criteria

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About the Author
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Sreetama Datta Roy
Manager Content
Sreetama Datta Roy is a journalist working in the Education beat, with over 15 years of work experience. A postgraduate in English Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi. At Shiksha, s
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Answered 2 weeks ago

Yes, Nest Academy of Sports Management (NASM) is a good college. The flagship programmes available at the college are Masters in Sports Management & Bachelor / Bachelor (Hons.) of Sports Management. The college provides good placements to students. 

L

Liyansha Jain

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

The process to retrieve the NEST password is mentioned below

  • Go to NEST 2026 website.
  • Click on the Login link.
  • Then click on forget password.
  • Provide the user id and click on "Get Password".
  • Enter new password.
  • Click on the Change Password button.
  • Use your new password to log in.

V

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

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.

V

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

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

V

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

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.

V

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

The authority releases the NEST answer key online. The answer key is released in pdf formation. The process to download the answer key for NEST 2026 is mentioned below.

  • Visit NEST website, nestexam.in.
  • Click on the Answer key link
  • NEST answer key pdf will appear

V

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

NEST question paper comprises 4 sections. Each section has 20 multiple-choice questions. The questions are based on Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology. Each question will comprise 3 marks. Negative marking is done for wrong answers.

V

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

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.

V

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

NEST exam is for admission to 5-year Integrated M.Sc. programme in Biological, Chemical, Mathematical and Physical sciences offered at National Institute of Science Education and Research  (NISER) and the University of Mumbai - Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-

...Read more

V

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

NEST 2026 result date will be announed on the official website. The result is expected to release in the last week of June 2026. NEST result link will be updated on online.

V

Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

Contributor-Level 10