NEST Subject-wise Syllabus for Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics; Download PDFs
National Entrance Screening Test 2026 ( NEST )
Admit Card - 15 May '26
The NEST 2026 subject-wise syllabus has been released by the exam authorities. The NEST syllabus includes the subjects of Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics. The syllabus of NEST 2026 is the same as Class 11 and 12 curriculum, and in-line with the NCERT subject and topics.
NEST Subject-wise Syllabus
The NEST 2026 subject-wise syllabus has been released by the exam authorities. The national-level entrance exam for admission to the Integrated MSc programme tests candidates’ knowledge on the core subjects of Science stream. The NEST syllabus includes the subjects of Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics. The syllabus of NEST 2026 is the same as Class 11 and 12 curriculum, and in line with the NCERT subject and topics.
Candidates planning to take NEST 2026 must note that out of the four subjects, candidates can either attempt all four sections or three sections, where either Biology or Mathematics has to be attempted. They have to fill the subject preference during the NEST application process. This article of Shiksha brings the NEST 2026 subject-wise syllabus.
- NEST 2026 Overview
- NEST 2026 Sectional Structure
- NEST 2026 Syllabus for Physics
- NEST 2026 Syllabus for Chemistry
- NEST 2026 Syllabus for Biology
- NEST 2026 Syllabus for Mathematics
- NEST 2026 Subject-wise Syllabus PDF
NEST 2026 Overview
The NEST 2026 exam will be conducted in a computer-based mode for three hours. The details of the NEST 2026 exam pattern are provided in the table.
| NEST Exam |
Information |
|---|---|
| Mode of exam |
Online mode - CBT |
| Level of exam |
National level - Undergraduate exam |
| Language of NEST Exam |
English and Hindi |
| Duration |
3 hours |
| Exam Timing |
2 PM to 5 PM |
| Type of questions |
Objective-type Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Total Questions |
80 questions |
| Number of Sections |
4 - Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics |
| Minimum Number of Sections to Attempt |
3 |
| Total marks |
240 marks |
| Number of Options Per Questions |
4 |
| Marking Scheme |
· 3 marks for each correct answer · 1 mark for each wrong answer · 0 for unanswered questions |
Commonly asked questions
The NEST Syllabus is available on the official portal for those students who wish to appear for the exam. One needs to visit the official portal to be able to download the syllabus for all subjects. They need to click on the syllabus and information brochure link in the top right corner of the homepage. Then, students need to click on the link available for Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics to access the PDFs of all these NEST 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.
NEST 2026 Sectional Structure
The section-wise structure of the NEST 2026 exam is given 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 |
Candidates appearing for the exam for the three sections will get two hours duration for the exam. Candidates belonging to the PwD category will get a compensatory time of 20 minutes per hour as per the Government of India guidelines.
NEST 2026 Syllabus for Physics
The syllabus of the NEST exam for the Physics section is given below.
- Units and Measurements
- Motion in a Straight Line
- Motion in a Plane
- Laws of Motion
- Work, Energy and Power
- Rigid System of Particles and Rotational Motion
- Gravitation
- Mechanical Properties of Solids
- Mechanical Properties of Fluids
- Thermal Properties of Matter
- Thermodynamics
- Kinetic Theory of Gases
- Oscillations
- Electric Charges and Fields
- Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance
- Current Electricity
- Moving Charges and Magnetism
- Magnetism and Matter
- Electromagnetic Induction
- Alternating Current
- Electromagnetic Waves
- Ray Optics
- Wave Optics
- Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter
- Atoms
- Nuclei
- Semiconductor Electronics: Materials, Devices and Simple Circuits
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NEST 2026 Syllabus for Chemistry
The NEST Chemistry syllabus includes chapters and topics from Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry and Physical Chemistry. The syllabus for NEST 2026 Chemistry section is given below.
- Important For Physical Chemistry: Measurements in chemistry, Mole concept, Gaseous and liquid states, Atomic structure and chemical bonding, Thermodynamics, Chemical equilibrium, Solid state, Solutions, Electrochemistry, Chemical kinetics.
- Important Topics for Surface Chemistry: Absorption, Colloidal state.
- Important Topics for Inorganic Chemistry: Classification of elements and periodicity in properties, S-Block elements, P-Block elements, Coordination compounds, D-Block elements, F-Block elements, Metals and metallurgy.
- Important Topics for Organic Chemistry: Basic concepts, Nomenclature, Reactive intermediates, Aromatic compounds, Alkenes and Alkynes, Phenols, Haloalkanes (Alkyl halides), Aldehydes and Ketones, Ethers, Carbohydrate, Amines, Polymers, Amino acids and proteins, Isomerism, Alkenes, Carboxylic acids.
NEST 2026 Syllabus for Biology
The Biology subject is bifurcated to Botany and Zoology. The units or chapters of the NEST Biology syllabus are given below.
- Diversity of Living Organisms
- Structural Organization in Plants and Animals
- Cell: Structure and Function
- Plant Physiology
- Human Physiology
- Reproduction
- Genetics and Evolution
- Biology and Human Welfare
- Biotechnology and Its Applications
- Ecology and Environment
NEST 2026 Syllabus for Mathematics
The NEST syllabus for Mathematics is given below.
- Sets and Functions
- Algebra
- Coordinate Geometry
- Calculus
- Statistics and Probability
- Relations and Functions
- Algebra
- Calculus
- Vectors and Three-Dimensional Geometry
- Linear Programming
- Probability
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NEST 2026 Subject-wise Syllabus PDF
The table below brings the subject-wise NEST syllabus PDFs.
| Subject | PDF File |
|---|---|
| Physics | Download Here |
| Chemistry | Download Here |
| Mathematics | Download Here |
| Biology | Download Here |
The NEST 2026 exam will be conducted on June 6, 2026, across India. The scores of the exam will be accepted by the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar, and the second institution is Mumbai University - Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-DAE CEBS).
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 weeks 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 3 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 3 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 3 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 a month 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 a month 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 a month 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