JEST exam 2026: IISER Tirupati successfully conducted the JEST 2026 exam on April 12, 2026. The exam was conducted computer based test. Candidates who qualified for the JEST exam are eligible for admission to participating institutes. There is not centralized counselling portal for JEST participating institutes. Candidates have to check the websites of institutes for admission notifications.
Latest Updates
- JEST 2026 results were announced on April 30.
- The last date to challenge JEST answer key was April 19.
- JEST answer key 2026 was released on April 17.
- What is JEST?
- JEST 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule
- JEST 2026 Application Process
- JEST 2026 Pattern, Syllabus and Preparation
- JEST 2026 Exam Centres
- JEST 2026 Admit Card
- JEST 2026 Answer Key
- JEST 2026 Result
- JEST 2026 Counselling
- FAQs Regarding JEST Exam 2026
What is JEST?
Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST) is conducted by Science & Engineering Research Board (SERB). Those who wish to pursue a PhD and Int. PhD programmes need to clear the JEST screening test and seek admission to various participating institutes in different subjects such as Neuroscience or Computational Biology, Physics and Theoretical Computer Science. The admission criteria for PhD and Int. PhD programmes are different for all the participating institutes. The JEST examination is conducted for two subjects:
- Theoretical computer science
- Physics
The admission is offered to the following courses.
- Integrated PhD in Physics
- Integrated PhD in Theoretical Computer Science
- Integrated PhD in Neuroscience
- Integrated PhD in Computational Biology
Key Highlight for JEST 2026
Students should go through the details about the JEST 2026 exam for exact clarity about the exam:
| Particulars |
Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name |
Joint Engineering Screening Test |
| Conducting Body |
Science & Engineering Research Board (SERB) |
| Exam Level |
PhD level |
| Exam Frequency |
Once a Year |
| Mode of Exam |
Computer-Based Test |
| Courses Offered |
Integrated MSc / MTech- PhD/ PhD |
Commonly asked questions
The JEST exam is only conducted once a year. Also, it is recommended to all the students who want to qualify the JEST exam is to always go through the official website for the latest updates and notices related to the JEST Admission process and exam related dates.
JEST exam is conducted as computer based test (CBT), not Internte Based Test (IBT). The questions will be displayed on the computer screen, and students can answer by clicking the correct options.
The JEST Exam is conducted for those students who want to get admission to courses and programmes to complete their PhD and Integrated PhD in theoretical computer science, physics, and neuroscience in India.
JEST 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule
Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of JEST 2026 exam
| Dates | Past Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| 30 Apr ' 26 | JEST 2026 Result |
| 12 Apr ' 26 | JEST 2026 Exam Date |
| 07 Apr ' 26 - 12 Apr ' 26 | JEST 2026 Admit Card |
JEST 2026 Application Process
The authority released the JEST application form 2026 on February 26. The last date to apply for Joint Entrance Screening Test was March 25, 2026. Students had to submit their personal information while filling out the application form, such as educational details, uploading documents, signature and photographs, exam centre preference, and college and course details as well. After filling the form, pay the JEST 2026 Application fee via debit card, credit card or net banking.
Students need to register for JEST examination by following these steps:
1. Visit the website of the JEST exam.
2. Create your Registration ID.
3. Fill in all your details.
4. Upload the documents.
5. Pay the application fee.
6. Download the page.
Category-wise Application Fee
Here is the category-wise application fee mentioned below:
| Category | JEST 2026 Application Fee |
|---|---|
| SC / ST/ PwD | INR 600 |
| All other candidates | INR 1200 |
Note: JEST application fee 2026 is non-refundable. So, candidates are advised to first eligibility criteria before filling out the form.
Commonly asked questions
There are many important documents for JEST, but a photograph (a clear, recent passport size photo) and a signature (on a white background).
Part A: 1 mark correct answer & -1/3 incorrect answer
Part B: 3 marks correct answer & -1 incorrect answer
Part C: 3 marks correct answer & no negative marking HERE
The application fee for JEST 2026 is given below. Students are advised to go through these details:
- SC/ST and PwD: INR 600
- Other participant: INR 1200
JEST 2026 Pattern, Syllabus and Preparation
JEST exam pattern is available now. Candidates can check the JEST 2026 paper pattern to know the structure of questions. The test paper consists of MCQs, and it is divided into two parts. There are a total of 50 questions in the Exam pattern for the JEST. The test paper consists of MCQs and is sectioned into two parts. In the JEST exam, students are evaluated out of 100.
| Particulars | Pattern |
| Mode of exam | Online |
| Duration of exam | Three hours |
| Types of Questions | MCQs NAT |
| Total questions | 40 questions Part A - 10 questions (MCQs) Part B - 20 questions (MCS) Part C - 10 questions (NAT) |
| Marking Scheme | Part A - 1 mark Part B - 3 marks Part C - 3 marks |
| Negative Marking | Part A: −1/3 marks Part B: −1 mark Part C: No negative marking |
JEST 2026 Syllabus
JEST 2026 syllabus has been released. Candidates can check the JEST syllabus pdf to know important topics for exam preparation. The syllabus is available for the Physics paper. The link to download the JEST Physics syllabus is mentioned below.
Download Now: JEST Syllabus for Physics
Download Now: JEST Sample Paper 2026
There are some important topics related to different subjects like Neuroscience, Physics and Theoretical Computer Science that are also included in the JEST Syllabus and the subjects in which a PhD is offered through JEST at the participating institutes.
JEST 2026 Preparation
Students need to be aware that PhD courses in their desired subjects and at their desired university can take six to eight months for JEST preparation. Here are a few useful tips outlined below to give a successful preparation for the JEST Exam.
- Candidates need to go through the basics and clear their concepts.
- Candidates also need to select the proper preparation material for the preparation process. Therefore, candidates need to select the right books and not get carried away with so much other study material to avoid confusion and complications.
- Practicing mock tests is one of the best strategies to prepare for competitive exams. Mock tests allow candidates to build confidence in their strong areas of study while mastering weaker areas. Mock tests for preparation also allow for speed-building and practice towards providing the answer in the exact way the question is posed to score the maximum marks within limited time.
Candidates must read the last-minute preparation tips before they appear for the JEST Exam:
- Revise Daily: Daily revision is one of the most crucial steps for candidates to prepare effectively, or else they will forget whatever they are reading daily. To remember things for a long period, it is better to revise daily or on alternative days. Reading new topics without remembering the previous one is of no use.
- Previous Year Question Papers: It is a great way to prepare for any exam because knowing what is important and what was asked in the previous year's question paper is a smart way of preparation.
- Work on weak topics: It is good to focus on the weak topics along with the topics you are good at. This will help candidates to prepare well for the JEST Exam and they will feel confident on the day of the exam.
Commonly asked questions
The JEST 2026 exam is a computer based test. The exam duration is 3 hours.
Part A: 1 mark correct answer & -1/3 incorrect answer
Part B: 3 marks correct answer & -1 incorrect answer
Part C: 3 marks correct answer & no negative marking HERE
JEST 2026 Exam Centres
The authority has released the JEST exam centre online. Candidates can check exam centre list to know test city's name. JEST was conducted in 40 cities across the country. The detailed list of JEST exam centre is mentioned below.
- Ahmedabad
- Aligarh
- Allahabad
- Amritsar
- Bangalore
- Bardhaman
- Bhopal
- Bhubaneswar
- Chandigarh
- Chennai
- Delhi
- Goa
- Guwhati
- Hyderabad
- Indore
- Jaipur
- Kanpur
- Kharagpur
- Kochi
- Kolkata
- Kozhikode
- Madurai
- Mangalore
- Mumbai
- Nagpur
- Nainital
- Patna
- Pune
- Raipur
- Rajkot
- Ranchi
- Roorkee
- Sambalpur
- Silchar
- Siliguri
- Srinagar
- Trivandrum
- Udaipur
- Vijayawada
- Vishakhapatnam
Commonly asked questions
Here is the list of some JEST participating colleges students shall know about:
Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore
- Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bangalore
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER)
- Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bangalore
- National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), TIFR, Pune
- Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad
- Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT), Indore
- Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics (SINP), Kolkata
- Bose Institute
- Institute of Physics (IOP), Bhubaneswar
- International Centre for Theoretical Sciences (ICTS)-TIFR, Bangalore
- National Brain Research Centre (NBRC), Manesar
- National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar
- Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bangalore
JEST 2026 Admit Card
The authority has released the admit card online. JEST admit card was available for registered candidates. To download the admit card, candidates had to provide their password and registration number. Every student needs to carry their JEST admit card on the day of the exam. If you have not brought your admit card, then the authorities will not allow you to sit in the exam.
How to Download the JEST Admit Card 2026
To download JEST Admit Card 2026 the students need to go through these tips:
- Click on the admit card download link
- Enter your login details.
- Download the admit card link.
- Check Details on the admit card like your name, roll number and other details.
Commonly asked questions
Applicants can find JEST admit card download link via visiting the official website which is jest.org.in. Sometimes it can happen that the link does not work or the website doesn't open then in that case it is advised to retry after some times as it happens mainly due to heavy load on the website or some server side errors.
JEST 2026 Answer Key
JEST 2026 answer key was released online. The link to download the answer key has been updated on the website jest.org.in. JEST answer key is used to cross-check answers. Candidates were allowed to challenge the answer key. After verifying the challenge, a final answer key will be released online.
How to access JEST Answer Key 2026?
- Go to JEST 2026 website.
- Click on the answer key link.
- Download the answer key.
Challenging JEST Answer Key 2026
If there is any error in the option mentioned in the JEST answer key, then submit the objection with the supporting document. This is a chargeable process.
JEST 2026 Question Paper
The authority has released the JEST question paper 2026 online. Candidates can download the JEST question paper with answer key for exam preparation. They can use the question paper for exam preparation and identify high weightage. Moreover, candidates can get familiar with the exam difficulty level.
Commonly asked questions
The JEST cut off 2026 will be decided on the difficulty level of the exam, and number of applicants who appeared in the exam. As of now there is no official announcement regarding the cut off.
Part A: 1 mark correct answer & -1/3 incorrect answer
Part B: 3 marks correct answer & -1 incorrect answer
Part C: 3 marks correct answer & no negative marking HERE
If you find any disperancies, you can challenge the key by sending a mail to the exam authorties. There is no fee required to challenge the answer key.
JEST 2026 Result
The authority has announced JEST result 2026 online. Candidates who appeared for the exam can use their JEST login to check the result. The details like total marks, percentile score, and rank are mentioned in the result. The process to check the JEST result is mentioned below.
- Go to JEST 2026 website, jest.org.in.
- Click on result link.
- Enter user id and password
- The result will display.
- Take a print of the same.
Commonly asked questions
Applicants who secured the minimum passing marks are considered passing as per JEST Results. The result was released on the official website of JEST.
Along with declaration of the result, IIST also released the score card as well as JEST cut off marks. Applicants who appeared in the exam can check their marks in JEST exam.
The JEST exam analysis comprises the difficulty level of the exam, the average questions attempted by the applicants, whether any question was wrong or mis spelt and expected cutoff etc. It will be out after the conclusion of the exam. By checking the exam analysis, applicants can get to know about the chances of qualifying the exam.
JEST 2026 Counselling
Commonly asked questions
The JEST 2026 is expected to begin by August 2026. Yet the counselling dates has not been announced yet officially. Students are advised to check the website regularly.
JEST counselling is not a centralised process but it is conducted by individually by each participating institution. The selection process is based on the JEST score, you need to attend the interview and undergo document verification.
FAQs Regarding JEST Exam 2026
Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST) is an entrance exam test for admission to PhD and International PhD programme of different participating institutes for two subjects Physics and theoretical Computer Science/Neuroscience.
This exam is conducted in offline mode/ pen-paper mode. This year exam conducting authorities have changed, earlier it used to be Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) but now it has changed to Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST). Hence the final validation will be declared along with releasing of notification but as per previous year JEST exam pattern it will be conducted in offline mode only.
Create a study plan, priotitise important topics and study according to it, go through syllabus. Solve previous year question paper. Also you can practice mock test to practice to track your progress. And make sure to revise regularly and learn time management during your preparation period.
JEST cut off marks are the minimum marks that applicants need to secure to pass the JEST exam. The cutoff marks will be same for all the categories, hence the cutoff marks would not differ.
Based on the marks of the applicants the exam conducting authorities will release the merit list. Applicants who pass the exam will further need to appear in the counselling held by multiple institutes.
No, apart from Physics, JEST is also for those candidates who are interested in pursuing Theoretical Computer Science, Neuroscience, and Computational Biology at the PhD level. Therefore, candidates who wish to appear for the JEST Exam must go through the eligibility criteria in detail before filling out the JEST Application Form.
No, you must provide a valid and unique email address, which must maintained throughout the selection process. All the correspondence about JEST 2026 and the information during the selection stages of the respective institutes will be communicated to the JEST 2026 registration email.
JEST Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 months ago
IISER Tirupati has not released the stats regarding JEST 2026. However, it is expected that approximately. 2500 to 35000 students took the JEST 2026 exam.
V
Contributor-Level 10
4.4
CEBS Counselling: First Round Merit List 17 Jul '26
How many candidate qualified for PhD in JEST 2026?