Candidates can check NEST selection process to get familiar with the NISER and CEBS seat allocation process. There is no centralized process for counselling. NEST qualifying students need to apply directly to NISER and CEBS and follow their admission process. Get details on NEST selection process here.
Selection Process for NEST
NEST 2026 Selection Process: NISER and UM-DAE CEBS select the candidates based on their rank in NEST exam 2026. The exam conducting authority considers NEST rank to select the students. Admission is offered to five years integrated MSc program in Biological, Chemical, Mathematical and Physical Sciences.
Candidates must be familiar with the NEST selection process so that they can prepare to score well and improve their chances of admission. Check the page to know the NEST 2026 selection process 2026.
- Steps Involved in NEST 2026 Selection Process
- NEST 2026 Result
- NEST 2026 Minimum Admissible Percentile (MAP)
- NEST 2026 Merit List
- How to check the NISER Merit List 2026?
- How to check UM-DAE CEBS Merit List 2026?
- NEST 2026 Seat Matrix
- Conclusion
Steps Involved in NEST 2026 Selection Process
The follow process are involved in the selection of candidates for NISER and CEBS.
- Qualifying NEST exam.
- Inclusion in NEST merit list
- Submit Expression of Interest (EOI).
- Seat Allotment
- Document Verification
- Payment of admission fees.
Commonly asked questions
NEST exam date 2026 was June 6. The exam was conducted online at various test cities. To appear for the entrance exam, apply online. NEST application portal was active from January 5 to April 8, 2026.
Candidates have to carry any one of the following documents will be considered as valid for appearing in the NEST 2027 examination:
Passport
Aadhaar Card or Enrolment slip
Voter ID
Driver's License
PAN Card
If any student does not have any of these ID cards then they must bring their admit card for the Class 12 board exam to the examination hall.
The test centres of NEST exam is allotted on the basis of the number of applicants opting for a particular test city/town. It is to be noted that the National Entrance Screening Test committee reserves the right to cancel or add any of the test cities without prior notice to applicants.
The final allocation of NEST Test Centres is mentioned on the admit card. Applicants can not make any request to change the address or venue once it is decided.
The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) examination in India is conducted by the NEST Governing Body.
NEST 2026 Result
NISER and CEBS declared the NEST result 2026 on June 24, 2026. Candidates whose score is more than SMAS (Section-wise Minimum Admissible Score) or section-wise cutoff marks and MAP (Minimum Admissible Percentile) qualify for the exam. Candidates can check SMAS and MAP below.
NEST 2026 SMAS or Section-Wise Cutoff Mark
Candidates can check NEST SMAS 2026 below
| Subject Category | UR/UR-Divyang | OBC/OBC-Divyang |
SCST/SCST-Divyang
|
| Biology | 8.83/8.39 | 7.95/7.50 | 4.41/3.97 |
| Chemistry | 11.26/10.70 | 10.14/9.57 | 5.63/5.07 |
| Mathematics | 9.63/9.15 | 8.67/8.19 | 4.82/4.33 |
| Physics | 9.44/8.97 | 8.49/8.02 | 4.72/4.25 |
NEST 2026 Minimum Admissible Percentile (MAP)
Below is the NEST MAP 2026.
| Category | MAP Score |
| UR/EWS/OBC | 80 percentile |
| UR/EWS/OBC -Divyang | 40 percentile |
| SC/ST | 75 percentile |
| SC/ST-Divyang | 40 percentile |
Also Read: NEST 2026 cutoff
Commonly asked questions
No, you are not allowed to carry the bag inside the NEST exam centre. No items other than the NEST admit card and a valid photo id are allowed in the test centre.
Yes, if candidates are medically unfit to stay till the examination is over then they will be allowed to leave the exam centre after their test is complete. Except medically unfit applicants, no normal candidate will be allowed to leave the hall before the mentioned time in the admit card.
The time limit to leave the examination centre is 11 am for the morning shift and, 4 pm for the evening shift.
The NEST 2026 exam will be conducted in a single shift. The exam timing is from 2 PM to 5 PM. Students have to reach the exam hall at least one hour before the exam. Those reaching the centre after 1 PM will not be allowed entry. The exam timing will be provided on the NEST admit card. Test takers will also not be allowed to leave the hall before 5 PM.
Applicants are advised to reach the exam centre along with the items mentioned below.
- NEST Admit Card
- Valid ID proof or Admit card of Class 12 Board exam
- Pencil/Pen
Students must note that no electronic gadgets will be permitted in the exam hall. Hence, they should not to carry anything. Along with this, applicants are advised to reach the exam hall before the time mentioned on the admit card.
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NEST 2026 Merit List
NISER and CEBS release separate merit lists online. The exam authority considers SMAS and MAP to prepare the merit list. Candidates whose roll number is mentioned in the merit list will be considered eligible for the admission process. These students need to submit an expression of interest (EOI) through the link shared with them.
How to check the NISER Merit List 2026?
Candidates can follow the process to check NEST merit list by NISER.
- Go to NISER UG Admission website, niser.ac.in
- Click on "Merit List" option from the menu.
- Merit list page will display.
- Check for your roll number.
Commonly asked questions
The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) is primarily used to assess a candidate's eligibility for admission to the University of Mumbai's Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-DAE CEBS), Mumbai, and the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar. In India, individuals take a competitive exam called NEST to gauge their knowledge and skill in the fundamental sciences.
The main purpose of NEST is to select candidates for these two prestigious institutes' five-year integrated M.Sc. programmes in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics. The test encourages individuals to enrol in these institutes for their undergraduate studies by identifying those who are talented and motivated and who have a strong desire to work in scientific research.
In conclusion, NEST's main goals are to identify students for integrated master's degree programmes in fundamental sciences at NISER and UM-DAE CEBS and to develop scientific potential in India.
Students who qualify the NEST exam will be given the opportunity to pursue undergraduate programs in Science & Technology at NISER and UM-DAE CBS, two premier institutes in India.
Applicants are advised to check the detailed eligibility criteria and other important date related events before appearing for the NEST exam.
NEST is a popular entrance exam for Science stream students who paas out 12th standard of exam, in India. The number of seats are disclosed in official notification.
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.
How to check UM-DAE CEBS Merit List 2026?
The process to check NEST 2026 merit list by CEBS is mentioned below.
- Go to UM-DAE CEBS Admission website, cbs.ac.in.
- Click on the merit list link
- Check for your roll number.
Also Read: NEST counselling 2026
NEST 2026 Seat Matrix
There are a total of 261 seats, including NISER and CEBS. Candidates must check the NEST seats matrix to know the distribution of seats among various categories. This will help them to understand the probability of getting admission to NISER and CEBS. Below is the NEST seat distribution for NISER and CEBS.
NISER 2026 Seat Matrix (Distribution of Seats)
| Category | Seat Intake |
| Unreserved (UR) | 101 |
| UR – EWS | 0 |
| OBC – NCL | 54 |
| SC | 30 |
| ST | 15 |
| PwD (Divyangjan) | 10 |
| J & K, Ladakh | 02 |
| Total intake | 202 |
UM-DAE CEBS 2026 Seat Matrix (Distribution of Seats)
| Category | Seat Intake |
| Unreserved (UR) | 23 |
| UR – EWS | 06 |
| OBC – NCL | 15 |
| SC | 09 |
| ST | 04 |
| Divyangjan | 5% seats in each category |
| Total | 57 |
| J & K, Ladakh | 02 |
| Total intake | 59 |
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Conclusion
NEST selection process is based on the NISER and CEBS admission process. NEST is the entrance test for admission to five-year integrated M.Sc programmes. Candidates who wish to pursue a postgraduate course at NISER and CEBS need to qualify the National Entrance Screening Test (NEST). Based on the SMAS and MAP scores, a merit list is prepared. Students with their roll number in NEST merit list receive an email to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). Based on the EOI, the admission queue is released. Candidates have to participate in NEST counselling for admission.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 months 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 2 months 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 2 months 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 3 months 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 3 months 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