🏛 Exam Introduction
- Exam: National Entrance Screening Test (NEST)
- For: Admission to 5-year Integrated M.Sc. in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics at NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai
- Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT), English/Hindi
- Official portal: nestexam.in nestexam.in
📅 Important Dates (Tentative — 2026)
- Application window: Feb–Apr 2026 (based on 2025 timeline) nestexam.in
- Admit card: ~2 weeks before exam
- Exam date: late June 2026 (2025 was June 22, 2025) nestexam.in
- Result/merit list: ~early July 2026 (2025 brochure indicated by July 10, 2025) nestexam.in
Exact dates will be published on nestexam.in. nestexam.in
🎓 Eligibility
- Class 12 (science stream): Passed in 2024/2025 or appearing in 2026 (follow year’s brochure for pass-year rule).
- Minimum marks: 60% aggregate in Class 12 (55% for SC/ST/Divyangjan).
- Age limit: No upper age limit for NEST. nestexam.in
💺 Intake & Scholarships (Reference: last cycle)
- Seats: NISER 200, UM-DAE CEBS 57 (category-wise breakup in brochure).
- Scholarship: ₹60,000/year (DAE-DISHA) + ₹20,000/year summer internship grant; INSPIRE-SHE endorsement possible; top performers may appear directly for BARC training school interview. nestexam.in
🧾 Exam Pattern & Marking
- Paper structure: 4 sections — Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics
- Questions: 20 per section (all MCQ, one correct option)
- Marks: +3 correct, –1 incorrect, 0 unattempted
- Section marks: 60 per section → 240 raw across 4 sections
- Language: English & Hindi (English version prevails if discrepancy). nestexam.in+1
Merit Calculation (VERY important)
- Best-of-three rule: Only the best 3 sections count for merit → Total = 180.
- Section-wise Minimum Admissible Score (SMAS): 20% of the average of top-100 scores in that section (with category relaxations).
- Overall cut-off (MAP – Minimum Admissible Percentile): Gen 95, OBC 90, SC/ST/Divyangjan 75.
- To get a rank, a candidate must clear SMAS in ≥3 sections and meet MAP. Ties broken via best section scores. nestexam.in
📘 Syllabus
- Subject-wise (Bio/Chem/Math/Physics) at Class 11–12 level; detailed topic list appears in the brochure and is aligned with NCERT-style content. nestexam.in
📝 Application Process
- Register on nestexam.in, fill personal/academic details.
- Choose test city, upload photo/signature, pay fee online.
- Download admit card; appear for CBT.
- Result/merit on portal → Institute-wise counselling/offer rounds as notified. nestexam.in
🎫 Admit Card & Exam Cities
- Admit cards are released online; test centres are allotted across major Indian cities. Read the Exam Rules & Answering on CBT section in the brochure carefully. nestexam.in
📋 Exam-Day Essentials
- Carry Admit Card + valid Photo ID.
- Follow reporting time, frisking and CBT instructions; rough sheet provided.
- Paper is single session; percentile is computed across all qualified test-takers. nestexam.in
❓ FAQs
How many questions and marks?
80 MCQs total (20×4); +3/–1; raw 240. Merit uses best 3 sections → 180. nestexam.in
Do I need to attempt all four sections?
Yes—in your interest you should, since the lowest section is dropped for merit. nestexam.in
Is there any age limit?
No upper age limit for appearing/admission. nestexam.in
What’s SMAS/MAP?
SMAS: section cut-off = 20% of avg. of top-100 in that section (category relaxations). MAP: overall percentile threshold (Gen 95 / OBC 90 / SC-ST-PwD 75). Both must be met to get a rank. nestexam.in
Seat numbers each institute?
Reference (2025): NISER 200, CEBS 57. 2026 matrix to be notified. nestexam.in
🔗 Quick Official Links
- NEST Home / Apply / Notices: nestexam.in nestexam.in
- NEST 2025 Brochure (pattern, SMAS/MAP, seats) – model for 2026: PDF nestexam.in