NEST 2026 Eligibility Criteria Explained: Academic, Age Limit and Category Criteria
National Entrance Screening Test 2026 ( NEST )
Admit Card - 15 May '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 |
Commonly asked questions
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.
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.
Commonly asked questions
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.
Along with qualifying the accepted entrance exam, candidates must also fulfil the eligibility specific to their courses. Below is course-wise eligibility criteria for Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences, Mumbai University:
| Course | Common Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Integrated MSc | Class 12 with at least 60% aggregate (55% aggregate for SC/ ST/ PD) Candidates should not be more than 20 years old (relaxable for SC/ ST/ PD) |
| PhD | Master's degree |
National Institute of Science Education and Research has specified certain percentage in eligibility that students must secure to apply for any of the programme. Below is NISER eligibility criteria:
| Course Name | Common Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Integrated BSc + MSc | Class 12 or equivalent examination with at least 60% aggregate (55% aggregate for SC/ ST/ PD Category) Candidates who have passed Class 12 in last two years or appearing in that year can also apply Candidates must not be more than 20 years old |
| PhD | Master's degree in relevant subjects with at least 55%-60% aggregate |
Explore colleges based on NEST
- Chat with our counselor
- Get your personalised list of colleges & exams matching your preferences
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 a week 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
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks 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
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
There is no option to get NISER with 60 marks. The safe marks in NEST for NISER admission are 120+ marks.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks 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
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 weeks 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
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 weeks 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
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 weeks 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
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month 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-
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month 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
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Yes, candidates who have passed class 12 with PCM or BiPC can appear for NEST. They alos need to obtain 60% marks (55% for SC/ST/ Divyangjan) in aggregate.
V
Contributor-Level 10