NEST

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.

Students who want to qualify the NEST exam first they must complete the books of class 11th and 12th. 

Applicants can follow the below-mentioned books for the NEST preparation.

1. For chemistry, Wiley, KL CHUGH & Dinesh publication books are good

2. For Physics, DC Pandey & HC Verma's books.

3. For Mathematics, R D Sharma, SN DEY books

4. For Biology subject, Objective Biology by Dinesh

Along with these books NCERT & NCERT EXEMPLAR is a must for applicants for all individual subjects. 

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.

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. 

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.

The test centres of NEST exam will be allotted on the basis of 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 will be mentioned on the admit card. Applicants can not make any request to change the address or venue once it is decided. 

Candidates have to choose three exam cities in preferred order while filling the NEST application form. The exam centre will be allotted as per their preference.

The exam conducting authorities will release the admit card at least two week before the commencement of the exam. The NEST hall ticket will mention following details of the applicants

• Application Number

• Roll Number

• Candidate's Name

• Candidate's Address

• Date

• Time

• Shift

• Reporting time

• Venue and Emergency contact number 

In case of any discrepancy in the details mentioned in the admit card, applicants need to immediately connect to the exam conducting authorities by the Emergency number mentioned in admit card. 

No, it is mandatory for candidates to carry a hard copy of the NEST admit card on exam day as required by the invigilator for exam attendance formalities. 

No electronic gadgets, i.e Mobile, calculator, laptop, will be allowed to take in the examination hall. Hence, students can't show the NEST admit card on mobile to the exam conducting authorities during the exam. Applicants need to carry an original ID, a printout of the admit card and a pen/pencil to the examination hall only. 

Applicants who want to appear in the NEST exam need to carry an admit card. Applicants are not advised to carry any other document. Candidates need to carry only a valid photo ID proof along with the admit card on the NEST exam day. 

Students need to check all the details mentioned in the admit card. If any information is not correct, then applicants need to immediately contact the exam conducting authorities and get it rectified.