NEST 2026: APPLY NOW

 

The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) is a compulsory online computer-based test for admission to the five-year Integrated MSc programme  in core sciences like Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics offered by the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) and the University of Mumbai - Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-DAE CEBS). NISER and UM-DAE CEBS are autonomous institutions established by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India, in 2007. These institutes were started with the mandate of providing research-oriented teaching in basic sciences by faculties of practising scientists aimed at creating a national pool of human resources to lead the nation to excellence in teaching and research in basic and applied sciences.

NEST 2026 will be conducted in around 140 cities across India.

The candidates admitted to the Integrated MSc program are eligible to receive an annual scholarship of ₹60,000 through the DISHA program of the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India. In addition, the scholarship recipients receive a grant of ₹20,000/- per annum for summer internships. Candidates selected by DST for the INSPIRE-SHE program are endorsed for the INSPIRE scholarship by NISER and UM-DAE CEBS. A vast majority of students graduating from the integrated MSc programs offered in the two institutes pursue doctoral research at universities and institutions of repute in India and abroad, including NISER or CEBS and join academia or industry primarily in research positions. The placements of the graduated students from NISER and UM-DAE CEBS provide testimony to the success of this program. Students graduating with overall grades above a certain threshold are eligible to appear directly for the interview for appointment as Trainee Scientific Officer in Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).

IMPORTANT DATES

Online Application Closes: 06 April 2026 (11:30 pm)

Date of Examination 06 June 2026, Saturday (2 pm)

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION

Candidates must qualify all FOUR eligibility criteria listed below:

• Candidates should have at least three out of the four disciplines of basic sciences, namely, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics, in classes XI and XII.
• Candidates should have passed the class XII examination from any recognised Board in India in the year 2024 or 2025 or should be appearing for the same in 2026. The (provisional) certificate declaring the aggregate should be from a single board. Candidates appearing for the board examination in 2026 must satisfy the eligibility criteria at the time of admission into the programme.
• Candidates must secure at least 60% marks in aggregate or equivalent grade in class XII examination. For candidates belonging to scheduled castes (SC), scheduled tribes (ST), and Divyangjan categories, the minimum requirement of marks is 55% in aggregate or equivalent grade in class XII examination.
• Candidate should secure a rank in the NEST 2026 merit list.

There is no upper age limit for appearing in the NEST 2026 examination and admission to either NISER or UM-DAE CEBS provided all the above eligibility criteria are fulfilled.

How To apply for NEST 2026: Candidates must fill out the online application form linked from www.nestexam.in website only. Previous questions papers are available on the same website.