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 |
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.
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.
The eligibility criteria for the B.Sc programme at NISER Bhubaneswar require candidates to have completed the 10+2 level examination in the Science stream with at least a 60% aggregate score.
Yes, there is a relaxation in the eligibility criteria for SC/ST/PD candidates applying for the B.Sc programme at NISER Bhubaneswar. These candidates need to complete the Class 12 or equivalent examination with a minimum of 55% aggregate score, which is lower than the general requirement.
If any aspirants fail to meet these criteria or the exam-conducting authority later finds out that candidates failed to satisfy the criteria, their candidate will be dismissed. Continue reading the article to know the NEST exam eligibility criteria and other important details.
| 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.
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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% |
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.
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.
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 |
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 14 hours ago
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.
V
Contributor-Level 8
Answered Yesterday
The exam authority releases the NEST mock test several days before the exam. The purpose of the mock tests is to make students familiar with the computer-based test. Also, students get the feel of an actual exam, and they can evaluate their performance.
V
Contributor-Level 8
Answered Yesterday
The NEST mock test is a replica of the computer-based test. The exam authority releases the NEST mock test several days before the exam. Students can attempt the mock test for self-assessment. It will also help in improving time management.
V
Contributor-Level 8
Answered Yesterday
The NERST question paper is based on Class 11 & 12 subjects. Students referring NCERT textbook to prepare for the exam can score well in the exam. But depending on a single resource for exam preparation may not help to get a top rank; therefore, students must focus on other books and past year ques
V
Contributor-Level 8
Answered Yesterday
While preparing for the test, books play an important role. NEST exam is based on class 11 and 12 Physics, Chemistry, Math and Biology. Focusing in the Class 11 & 12 textbook will help to cover the majority of the topics. Also, we have mentioned here few best books for the NEST exam.
| Subject | Books and Author Name |
| Physics |
|
| Chemistry |
|
| Mathematics |
|
| Biology |
|
V
Contributor-Level 8
Answered Yesterday
Nest Academy of Sports Management (NASM) has collaborated with several famous organisations and university. One such collaboration has been done with Escuela Universitaria Real Madrid Universidad Europea.
L
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Some of the come career prospects available for the UG and postgraduate students after completing education from NASM are given below:
- Sports Celebrity Management
- Sports Media & Broadcasting
- Recreation and Sports Club Management
- Sports League & Team Management
- Sports Retail and others
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
The basic eligibility criteria for the UG (undergraduate) and PG (postgraduate) programmes at Nest Academy of Sports Management (NASM) is successfully appeared/cleared 12th examinations or equivalent from the recognised Board. For PG course, Graduate in any stream from a recognised University is imp
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Nest Academy of Sports Management (NASM) top recruiters are given below:
Western India Football Association | Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh | Sportz Interactive |
KOOH Sports | Oscar Foundation | Times of India |
Square of Sports | Rishi Narain Sports Marketing (RNSM) | Imperial International Sports Academy |
Red Wine Events | Meraki Sport & Entertainment Pvt Ltd | Mumbai City FC |
Big Tree Entertainment Pvt Ltd | Waveline Sports | United Sportz |
Sports 360 | IPL Mumbai Indians | Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association |
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Students who wish to get NASM Mumbai admissions must first visit the college site. NASM Mumbai students must follow the complete application method to apply online. The below is the complete NASM Mumbai application process:
1. Reach the official site of NASM.
2. Select any one NASM Mumbai programme.
3.
I
Contributor-Level 10
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.