NEST 2026 Eligibility Criteria Explained: Academic, Age Limit and Category Criteria
National Entrance Screening Test 2026 ( NEST )
Registration - 5 Jan '26 - 6 Apr '26
The NEST 2026 eligibility criteria have been announced by the exam authorities. It mainly pertains to academic background, nationality and age limit. This article of Shiksha discusses in details about every aspect of the NEST 2026 eligibility criteria.
NEST 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The NEST 2026 eligibility criteria have been announced by the exam authorities. The application process for NEST 2026 is underway from January 5 to April 6. Before applying for the exam, students should ensure that they fulfil the eligibility criteria of NEST 2026.
The NEST eligibility criteria 2026 mainly pertain to academic background, nationality and age limit. The overall NEST 2026 eligibility criteria is same for the participating institutes, NISER Bhubaneswar and UM DAE CEBS. This article of Shiksha discusses in details about every aspect of the NEST 2026 eligibility criteria.
- NEST 2026 Overview
- NEST 2026 Eligibility Criteria
- NEST Eligibility Criteria 2026 – Additional Guidelines
- NEST Reservation Criteria
- Seat Intake through NEST 2026
- NEST 2026 Exam Pattern
NEST 2026 Overview
NEST is an undergraduate-level entrance exam for Integrated MSc courses offered at NISER Bhubaneswar and UM DAE CEBS.
| 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 |
The NEST 2026 eligibility criteria are defined on both basis age wise as well education wise.
Admissions in NISER, Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS, Mumbai are done based on a candidate's score in the NEST exam. Candidates who have passed Class 12 from the Science stream are eligible to apply for the NEST exam.
Candidates should pass Class 12 in Science stream from a recognised board in India with at least 60% aggregate marks (55% for SC/ ST/ PWD category candidates). Candidates should have passed Class XII either last year or will pass this year.
There is no age limit to appear for NEST.
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.
NEST 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The NEST 2026 eligibility criteria can be segregated into the following categories.
- Academic Background
- Age Limit
- Candidate Category
Let us check the NEST eligibility criteria in detail for each of the factors.
NEST Eligibility Criteria 2026 – Academic Details
Candidates can check the NEST 2026 eligibility criteria in terms of their academic background.
- Students must have passed Class 12 Board exam or equivalent in 2024, 2025, or are slated to appear in 2026, in the Science stream.
- They should have studied at least three subjects among Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics as core subjects in Class 11 and Class 12.
- The minimum aggregate percentage to be secured in Class 12 Board exam or equivalent is 60 per cent (Unreserved category) or 55 per cent (Reserved category).
NEST Eligibility Criteria 2026 – Age Limit
There is no age limit, either upper or lower, for the NEST 2026 applicants. Even though there is no upper age limit, candidates must not have appeared for their Class 12 Board exam or equivalent before 2024.
NEST Eligibility Criteria 2026 – Candidate Category
NEST 2026 applicants’ candidate category is important in terms of the aggregate percentage scoring, and for being eligible for compensatory time per hour during the exam.
As mentioned by NISER Bhubaneswar, the category-wise aggregate score of the Class 12 qualifying should be as follows.
| Candidate Category |
Aggregate percentage required for Class 12 |
|---|---|
| General, OBC-NCL, EWS |
60 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Persons with Disabilities (PWD) |
55 |
Candidates belonging to PWD or Divyangjan category will be eligible for 20 minutes compensatory time for each hour, as per the Government of India guidelines. Candidates have to enter the disability percentage in order to be eligible for an additional duration during the exam.
NEST Eligibility Criteria 2026 – Additional Guidelines
Here are some additional guidelines regarding the NEST 2026 eligibility criteria, as stated by NISER Bhubaneswar, the exam conducting body.
- The certificate/ provisional certificate declaring the aggregate should be from a single board.
- Boards where only letter grades are available, a certificate from the concerned Board specifying an equivalent percentage of marks is required to be submitted. In the absence of such a certificate, the decision of the admissions committee of the concerned institution will be final.
- Necessary certificates supporting the eligibility criteria have to be furnished only at the time of admission. Admission is subject to verification of all original certificates at the time of admission/counselling. Certificates in support of the eligibility criteria need not be produced for appearing in the NEST 2026 examination.
No, there is no age limit to appear for the NEST exam. Candidates planning to appear for the exam must fulfil the other eligibility criteria in terms of clearing the Class 12 Board exam in the Science stream with the category-wise minimum aggregate percentage.
No, the reservation is available only for OBC non-creamy layer candidates only. For the creamy layer candidates of the OBC category, the admissions will be done under the General category.
hence there is no reservation is applicable to the candidates who are from creamy layer OBC category.
Candidates seeking admission to NISER and UM–DAE CEBS for the Integrated MSc programme 2026–31 should be from the regular science stream in classes 11 and 12. All aspiring candidates must write the NEST 2026 examination. Candidates must have passed the Class 12 examination from any recognised Board in India in the years 2024 or 2025, or should be appearing for the same in 2026. Candidates who are appearing for the board examination in 2026 must pass it by the time of admission into the programme.
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NEST Reservation Criteria
The NEST participating institutes follow the reservation criteria for the seats, as per the Government of India guidelines.
| Candidate Category |
Reservation Percentage |
|---|---|
| OBC-NCL |
27% |
| SC |
15% |
| ST |
7.5% |
| PWD/Divyangjan |
5% |
Seat Intake through NEST 2026
The proposed seat intake through NEST 2026 scores at both the participating institutes is given below.
| Category |
NISER Bhubaneswar |
UM DAE CEBS |
|---|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) |
101 |
23 |
| UR-EWS |
0 |
06 |
| OBC-NCL |
54 |
15 |
| SC |
30 |
09 |
| ST |
15 |
04 |
| PWD |
5% seats in each category (UR)-05; (OBC-NCL)-03; (SC)-02; (ST)-01 |
5% seats in each category |
| Total |
200 |
57 |
| Supernumerary Seats (J&K, Ladakh) |
02 |
02 |
| Total Intake |
202 |
59 |
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NEST 2026 Exam Pattern
The NEST 2026 exam pattern, or structure, is explained in the table below.
| Section |
Number of Questions |
Marks |
|---|---|---|
| I - Biology |
20 |
60 marks |
| II - Chemistry |
20 |
60 marks |
| III - Mathematics |
20 |
60 marks |
| IV - Physics |
20 |
60 marks |
| Total |
80 |
240 |
Each question carries three marks, and there is negative marking for each wrong answer. No marks will be awarded or deducted for unanswered questions. Candidates have to attempt at least three sections or subjects to be eligible for the scoring system.
Only those candidates who will qualify for the NEST 2026 exam will be considered eligible for admission or the NEST counselling process. The participating institutes will conduct their admission process separately.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 5 days ago
NASM Mumbai has a state of the art infra with multiple facilities available in the college. The NASM Mumbai campus is has facilities such as virtual private network and high-speed broadband. The college has collaborated with housing service providers for giving good amenities to students. The NASM M
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
NASM Mumbai has experienced & skilled faculty members. The NASM Mumbai faculty are scholars with various degree & Diploma holders. NASM Mumbai faculty motivates students to work on their knowledge & skills.
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
The last date of admission in Nest Academy of Sports Management (NASM) is not visible on the official website. Candidates can reach the Shiksha's official website or click here for last date of admission information.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
NEST exam is conducted once a year. For academic year 2026-27, National Entrance Screening Test will be conducted on June 6, 2026. Students can apply for the exam online.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
NEST 2026 registration window is open from January 5 to April 6, 2026. The application form link is updated on the website, nestexam.in. Students who wish to get admission to the five-year Integrated MSc programme offered at NISER and UM-DAE CEBS can apply online.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
The important dates for NEST exam 2026 are as follows:
| Event | Dates |
| NEST registration | January 5 to April 6, 2026 |
| NEST form correction | April 13 to 14, 2026 |
| NEST admit card 2026 | May 15, 2026 |
| NEST exam 2026 date | June 6, 2026 |
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
NEST exam is held once a year. The exam is conducted as computer based test. NEST 2026 is scheduled on June 6, 2026.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Nest Academy of Sports Management offers programmes at UG and PG levels. The minimum eligibility required for UG programmes is passing Class 12 in any stream from a recognised Board of Education while for PG programmes, candidates must pass UG in any stream from a recognised university.
h
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Find below some important documents required during the admission process at NASM, Mumbai:
- 3 passport size photographs
- Photocopy of 10th marksheet and certificates
- Photocopy of 12th marksheet and certificates
- Photocopy of Graduation marksheet and Provisional Certificate / degree (applicable only for PG
h
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
NASM, Mumbai, application process is conducted strictly in the online mode via the official NASM website. Find below the steps of the application process:
- Go to the official NASM website.
- Select 'Apply Now' on the right tab of the website.
- Fill the registration form with the required personal details.
- S
h
Contributor-Level 10
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.