NEST

The NEST 2026 application process will start on January 5. The last date of application is April 6. The registration process will be online. The application fee has to be paid online through Credit or Debit Card, Netbanking or UPI. Students have to fulfil the eligibility criteria before applying for NEST.

The NEST cut-off specifies the minimal score a candidate must receive in order to be qualified for admissions counselling. Each test's minimal score is determined by the General Section of NEST and the topic (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology). It typically represents an average of about 20% of the top 100 candidates' results in that particular area. To learn about the cut-off marks from the previous year, visit the websites of the participating institutes and NEST. Presently, the NEST cutoff is: Total Category Cut Off: 75% for ST/SC and 90% for OBC Generally 95%

Based on previous year trends, the exam authorities may extend the NEST 2026 application last date. As of now, the last date to register is April 6, 2026. Based on student requests and other factors, the last date of application may be extended. The NEST application form 2026 will be released on January 5, 2026. 

Yes, you are eligible for the NSET exam in 2024. There is no upper age limit for appearing in the NEST exam. NEST eligibility for appearing in the Integrated M.Sc.program at NISER/CEBS is based on your date of birth and educational qualification.

Educational Qualification: You must have passed the 12th Standard examination or equivalent from a recognised board in India in 2022, 2023, or will be appearing for it in 2024.

The NEST Governing Body administers the National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) in India. The NEST Governing Body is in charge of organising and managing the NEST examination and is made up of representatives from the participating universities. The University of Mumbai's Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-DAE CEBS) and the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), both in Bhubaneswar, are the main participating institutions in NEST.

No, biology is not a mandatory subject for the NEST exam. At NEST, students have the option to pick their classes. NEST consists of five sections: a compulsory generic part (part one) and four subject sections (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology). Students have the option of taking only three of the four subject sections. The best scores from the three sections in which they have appeared are put on the list for the final merit. As a result, if students don't want to pursue biology or just don't want to pursue biology further, they can skip it and concentrate on the other subjects only.

If two applicants score same marks in NEST exam, then they will get same provisional ranks when the result will be declared. But the tie breaker between them will be done during counselling/admission process by comparing the marks secured by applicants in class 12th exam. 

The NEST exam counselling will be done in online mode only. The exam conducting authority will release the dates of counselling in official notification after the conclusion of the exam. 

Applicants are advised to check the NEST exam counselling schedule and visit the centre along with their academic as well as category related documents.