NISER - National Institute of Science Education and Research

NISER uses the score of IIT JAM Biotechnology (BT) to select Integrated MSc-PhD in Biological Sciences. Although they do not have a specific cutoff rank to be directly admitted as well, an extremely high JAM BT rank is required to get shortlisted and subsequently have an interview as this is a very important step in their selection. Ordinarily, the higher the candidate ranks in JAM BT in the top few hundred in the General category, the greater the prospects of this candidate getting an interview call. In NISER, the ultimate selection is done with holistic evaluation, which incorporates academic record and performance in interview besides the JAM score.

To make it on the competitive list, one needs to grow some more in NEST (National Entrance Screening Test) to NISER Bhubaneswar, at least between 75-85 percentile ranges depending on category and year.

For general category students under the rank of 300-400 often corresponds with competition for a seat in Klik or NISER; however, cutoffs change with the changing difficulty patterns every year. In the past, securing admission with scores around 90-100 out of 180 marks was a must but reserved category students (SC/ST/OBC) only needed around 50-60 percentile. According to the past years' practice patterns, for now, till March 28, 2025, every applicant completing in the top percentile has very high chances; 

The course curriculum of the Integrated BSc and MSc of NISER Bhubaneswar, unlike any Indian university, is a five-year rigorous and research-based curriculum which includes core sciences Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics with a choice of interdisciplinary electives.

The first two years have included foundational courses across all disciplines followed by specialisation in the major. It would be practical labs, projects and finally a thesis in the final year with emphasis placed on hands-on learning and research skills: This one is designed to produce students of high categorical ability in the scientific profession, highly emphasizing critical thinking and experimentation to face the global challenges in Science and technology.

Not, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) Bhubaneswar does not come under the programme of CUET (Common University Entrance Test) in India. Admission to Integrated BSc-MSc programs takes place after qualifying the National Entrance Screening Test (NEST), which primarily serves NISER and UM-DAE CEBS.

CUET applies to many central universities, but being a completely autonomous institute under the Department of Atomic Energy, NISER follows its own admission criteria. As of March 28, 2025, the NEST is the only single entry point for undergraduate courses at NISER with a focus on science-specific aptitude and not like CUET in general entrance framework.