NEST 2026 Application Form – Eligibility Criteria & Exam Pattern

National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) 2026

The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) is a compulsory online computer-based test for admission to the five-year Integrated MSc programs 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 Details

Name of exam: National Entrance Screening Test (NEST)

Name of organization: National Testing Agency (NTA)

Name of institutes: National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar and the University of Mumbai – Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM–DAE CEBS).

Name of course: 5-Year Integrated MSc programs in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics

No of seats: The total number of seats at NISER and UM-DAE CEBS are 200 and 57, respectively.

Type of exam: Entrance exam

Date of exam: June 06th, 2026 (Saturday), 02:00 PM – 05:00 PM.

Duration of exam: 3 hours

Mode of exam: Online Mode (Computer-Based Test)

Type of questions: Objective type with Multiple Choice Questions

Academic Session: 2026-2031

Mode of application: Online

Helpline: nest-exam@niser.ac.in 

Educational Qualification: 

# Candidates must 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.

# Candidates seeking admission to NISER and UM–DAE CEBS for the Integrated MSc programme 2026–31 should have at least three out of the four disciplines of basic sciences, namely, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics, in classes XI and XII.

Minimum Marks: Candidates in the unreserved category must secure at least 60% marks in aggregate or equivalent grade in class XII examination to be eligible for admission to NISER and UM-DAE CEBS. 

For candidates belonging to scheduled castes (SC), scheduled tribes (ST), and Divyangjan categories, the minimum requirement of marks is relaxed to 55% in aggregate or equivalent grade in class XII examination.

# Scroll down, go to Important Web-Links section .

# Click on Online Application Form link .

# A new webpage will be opened.

# Enter all your personal and educational details as required .

# Upload your passport sized photograph and signature and other required documents.

# Pay the application fee as per your category and at the end click on submit button .

# Don’t forget to take a print of submitted application form . 

Important Dates of NEST 2026

# Starting date of submission of online application: 5th January 2026
# Last date of submission of online application: 06th April 2026 (Up to 11:30 P.M.)
# Issue of admit cards online: May 15th, 2026
# Date for NEST 2026 examination: June 06th, 2026
# Declaration of Result on the NTA website: To be announced later 

About the Program