NEST 2026 Important Topics: Check Subject Wise Important Chapters
National Entrance Screening Test 2026 ( NEST )
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17 Jul '26
Know the subject-wise important topics for the NEST 2026 syllabus that can help you prepare efficiently. The question paper of the NEST 2026 exam will consist of five sections, of which the first section is mandatory, and there is a choice of three among the remaining four.
NEST 2026 Important Topics
Candidates appearing for the NEST exam 2026 can check the important topics on this page. Focusing on the NEST 2026 important topics will help in scoring high marks. These topics are based on the previous year examination. NEST question paper will be based on Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology. These subjects have equal weightage in the exam. Candidates have to refer to the NEST exam syllabus 2026 to start their preparation. After completing the entire syllabus, practice important topics for NEST 2026 exam.
NEST exam 2026 will be conducted on June 6, 2026. The exam timing is 2 PM to 5 PM.
The joint organisers of the NEST 2026 examination are 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). They conduct the entrance exam annually to shortlist meritorious students for a five-year integrated MSc programme in the following subjects:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Mathematics
The key to crack an exam lies in preparing for the same as per the examination pattern and syllabus. NEST examination is no different from others, following smart preparation tips and studying important topics will help the applicants to qualify the examination.
NEST 2026 Exam Pattern
The question paper of NEST consists of four sections mentioned below. Out of the four sections, authorities will consider only three sections to prepare the merit list. Hence, applicants can either solve all four sections or three sections only and their marks from the sections that have the highest marks will be considered for preparing the merit list.
| Section | Subject | No of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mathematics | 20 | 60 |
| 2 | Physics | 20 | 60 |
| 3 | Chemistry | 20 | 60 |
| 4 | Biology | 20 | 60 |
Also Read: How to Prepare for NEST 2026: Best Books, Preparation Tips & Strategy
Commonly asked questions
Students who want to qualify the NEST exam first they must complete the books of class 11th and 12th.
Applicants can follow the below-mentioned books for the NEST preparation.
For chemistry, Wiley, KL CHUGH & Dinesh publication books are good
For Physics, DC Pandey & HC Verma's books.
For Mathematics, R D Sharma, SN DEY books
For Biology subject, Objective Biology by Dinesh
Along with these books NCERT & NCERT EXEMPLAR is a must for applicants for all individual subjects.
Applicants who want to appear in NEST exam must check the syllabus as well as the exam pattern before appearing in the exam. The NEST exam syllabus 2026 has been released by the exam conducting authorities along with the release of the official notification on December 15. Applicants are advised to check the NEST previous year syllabus to get an idea about the syllabus. It has remained the same as last year.
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NEST 2026: Subject-wise Important Topics
Although each topic of all subjects has its significance, some topics are frequently asked in the NEST exam, which are as follows:
Important Topics in Physics
Check out the topic-wise weightage in Physics below:
| List of Topics |
Expected Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Oscillations and Waves |
0-1 |
| Magnetic Effects of Current & Magnetism |
1-2 |
| 1-2 | |
| Heat and Thermodynamics |
1-2 |
| 0-1 |
|
| Current Electricity |
1-2 |
| Optics and Wave optics |
2-3 |
| 1-2 | |
| Motion of System of Particles and Rigid Body |
1-2 |
| 2-3 | |
| Electromagnetic Waves |
1 |
| Properties of Bulk Matter |
1 |
Important Topics in Mathematics
The topics from which questions are asked in the Mathematics section are mentioned below:
| Sets, Relations & Functions | 2-3 |
| Complex number & quadratic equations | 1-2 |
| Matrices & Determinates | 0-1 |
| Integral Calculus | 1-2 |
| Differential equations | 1-2 |
| Permutations & Combination | 1-2 |
| Binomial Theorem | 0-1 |
| Sequence & Series | 1-2 |
| Three-dimensional Geometry | 1 |
| Vector Algebra | 1-2 |
Important Topics in Chemistry
Below is the expected count of questions that can appear in the Chemistry section.
| List of Topics |
Expected Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Chemical Bonding |
1-2 |
| Basic Concepts |
2-3 |
| 1-2 | |
| 1-2 | |
| Coordination Compounds |
2 |
| 2-3 | |
| Reaction Mechanism |
1 |
| d- and f-Block Elements |
2 |
| Thermodynamics and Thermochemistry |
1-2 |
| Chemistry in Everyday Life |
1 |
| 2-3 | |
| Environmental Chemistry |
0-1 |
Important Topics in Biology
| List of Topics |
Expected Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Plant and Animal Systems |
2-3 |
| 1-2 | |
| Micro and Macronutrients |
1-2 |
| Basic concepts in genetics and evolution |
2-3 |
| Humans and environment |
1-2 |
| Principles of Recombinant DNA Technology |
1-2 |
Applicants can check the expected number of questions from all four subjects from the table mentioned above. By checking the trends of the questions, applicants are advised to check NEST question paper and accordingly prepare their strategy to qualify the exam.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 3 weeks ago
NEST 2026 result was declared on June 24, 2026. The result applies only to the current academic year 2026-27.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
No, NEST exam is conducted once a year. NEST 2026 exam was conducted on June 6, 2026. The exam timing was 2 PM to 5 PM.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
In such a situation, you have to prioritise which exam you want to appear for. You might have prepared for months for the exam. Based on your preparation, you have to decide which exam you can easily qualify for and get admission to the desired course and college.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The rank needed to get a seat at this institution would depend on the category you belong to and the round you are applying in.
According to the NISER Bhubaneshwar NEST cutoff 2025 for the General AI category, the maximum cutoff accepted was 1972. Students can see the table below to know the maximum
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The total marks for NEST exam is 240 marks. However, the exam authority will consider marks out of 180 to prepare the merit list.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Candidates can calculate their NEST scoring based on marking scheme. NEST questions will carry 3 marks per answer. Negative marking is done for wrong answers.
Total Marks = 3 * Correct Answers - Wrong Answers
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The process for downloading the NEST response sheet PDF is mentioned below.
- Go to NEST 2026 website, nestexam.in
- Click on Login button
- Enter the application no./login Id and password
- Click on the NEST response sheet
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Students can check the NEST answer key through login portal. They will have to provide their application number / login ID, and password to download NEST 2026 answer key.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Yes, the NEST response sheet was released on June 10, 2026, alongwith the answer key. Students can check their NEST response sheet through the login portal.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months 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
Contributor-Level 10