The NEST Exam 2026 application form has been released, and the official exam date is now out. This article provides complete details on NEST 2026 including application form dates, eligibility criteria, exam schedule, syllabus overview, selection process, and admission procedure for Integrated MSc programmes at NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai. Candidates can also find important guidelines and next steps for admission.
The National Entrance Screening Test, or NEST Exam 2026, is a nationwide entrance exam for integrated MSc programs given by top Indian science universities. Applicants must pass the NEST exam in order to get admitted to UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai and NISER Bhubaneswar.
This article will guide you with comprehensive information about the NEST Exam 2026, including key dates, requirements for eligibility, exam format, syllabus, and admissions procedure.
NEST 2026 Exam Overview
You can check the table given below to get an overview of the NEST 2026 exam that will help you prepare for the exam accordingly.
| Particulars | Details |
| Conducting Body | NISER, Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE-CEBS, Mumbai |
| Full Form | National Entrance Screening Test |
| Mode of the exam | Online (CBT) |
| Type of Question | MCQs |
| Exam Level | National Level Exam |
| Official Website | www.nestexam.in |
NEST Exam 2026 Important Dates
The important dates of NEST 2026 have been released on the official website of NTA. You can check the table given below to know about the event-wise dates
| Event | Date |
| NEST Application 2026 Start Date | Jan 5, 2026 (12.00 PM) |
| NEST Application 2026 Last Date | Apr 6, 2026 (11.30 PM) |
| NEST 2026 Correction and Update Window | Apr 13, 2026 |
| NEST 2026 Admit Card | May 15, 2026 |
| NEST 2026 Exam | Jun 6, 2026 |
| NEST 2026 Results | To be announced |
What is the NEST 2026 Eligibility Criteria for Application and Admission Process?
Before applying for the NEST 2026 exam you must know about the NEST 2026 eligibility. You can check the eligibility criteria mentioned below, given by the conducting authority.
- In classes XI and XII, candidates should have completed at least three of the four basic science subjects: biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics.
- Candidates must have passed the class XII exam in 2024 or 2025 from any accredited Indian board, or they must be taking it in 2026. The aggregate shall be declared in a single board's (provisional) certificate. Candidates must meet the requirements at the time of program admission in order to sit for the board exam in 2026.
- Candidates must secure at least 60% marks in aggregate or equivalent grade in class XII examination. Candidates from scheduled castes (SC), scheduled tribes (ST), and Divyangjan categories must receive at least 55% of the possible points in the class XII test, or an equivalent grade.
- Candidate should secure a rank in the NEST 2026 merit list
- There is no upper age limit for taking the NEST 2026 exam and for admission to either NISER or UM-DAE CEBS.
Steps to Register for NEST 2026 Application Process
You need to apply for NEST exam 2026 by filling up the NEST application form online available on the official website from Jan 5 to Apr 16, 2026. You can check the steps to register mentioned below.
- Visit the official website of NEST 2026 - www.nestexam.in.
- Click on “New Registration”
- Read the “Important Instructions” pop up carefully.
- Fill in the basic asked information such as Name, DOB, Gender, Phone Number
- Click on “Generate OTP”. (You are advised to give correct Phone Number)
- Enter the site captcha and OTP.
- Check the Declaration and click on Agree and then on “Reverify”
- Check all your entered details and click on Reverify.
- Upload the required documents
- Pay the application fee
- A summary page will be generated with all the details entered. This completes your application submission
What is the NEST 2026 Application Form Filling Fee?
There is a category-wise NEST 2026 application fee released by the official authority on the website. You can check the table below to know about fee information.
| Category | NEST 2026 Application Form Fee |
| Female applicants (irrespective of category) | INR 700 |
| SC/ST/Divyangjan category | INR 700 |
| Applicants of Unreserved-EWS (UR-EWS) | INR 700 |
| Male/Other applicants of UR/OBC category | INR 1400 |
NEST 2026 Exam Pattern
It is very important to understand the exam pattern as it gives an idea to prepare for the exam more accurately. You can check the NEST 2026 exam pattern in the table below.
| Particulars | Details |
| Mode of the Exam | Computer-based Test (CBT) |
| Duration of the Exam | 3 hrs and 30 mins |
| Sections | Total 4 sections:
|
| Type of Question | MCQs |
| Total Score | 240 marks (60 marks each section) |
| Marking Scheme |
|
Understanding the NEST 2026 Syllabus
The CBSE curriculum (2025–2026) and the NCERT books for classes XI–XII in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology are the main sources of inspiration for the NEST 2026 syllabus. Some of the questions may also require knowledge from scientific classes up to class 10. You can check the table to download the official NEST 2026 syllabus PDF.
| Particular | NEST 2026 Syllabus PDF Link |
| NEST Syllabus 2026 | Click Here |
NEST Admission Process 2026
The admission process includes:
- Qualifying the NEST exam
- Inclusion in the merit list
- Counselling and seat allocation
- Document verification
- Final admission confirmation
- Seats are allotted based on rank, preference, and availability.
Final Thoughts
For students hoping to pursue careers in academics and scientific research, the NEST Exam 2026 is a fantastic chance. Candidates can strategically plan their preparation and increase their chances of success if they have a thorough understanding of the exam structure, syllabus, and admissions process.
