NSEB / INBO 2025–26 — Classes 11–12
Pathway: NSEB → INBO → OCSC → IBO | Organisers: IAPT (Stage‑1) & HBCSE‑TIFR (Stages‑2/3)
📝 IAPT Student Login (Enrolment)
📄 NSE 2025–26 Student Brochure (PDF)
🌐 HBCSE Science Olympiad Brochure (2025–26)
📅 Key Dates (IST) — 2025–26
- Enrolment (students): 21 Aug – 14 Sept 2025 (IAPT portal); centre registration 1–20 Aug 2025; fee ₹300/subject.
- NSEB (Stage‑1): Sun, 23 Nov 2025 — 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM (OMR, offline).
- INBO (Stage‑2): Sun, 1 Feb 2026 — 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM (descriptive).
- OCSC‑Biology (Stage‑3): Apr–May 2026 (camp; dates via HBCSE notice).
🎯 Eligibility (Class 11–12 focus)
- Class: Studying in Class X/XI/XII at the time of enrolment (this guide focuses on XI–XII).
- DOB window: 1 Jul 2006 – 30 Jun 2011 (inclusive).
- Passport / OCI: Eligible to hold Indian passport. OCI students are provisionally eligible up to OCSC; they are not eligible to represent India at IBO as per current court orders.
- Residency / Study: Residing and studying in India since 30 Nov 2023 (or in an Indian school system) or earlier.
- Not appearing in NSEJS 2025 (mutually exclusive with senior NSEs).
📝 NSEB Exam Pattern (Total: 216 marks)
- Duration: 2 hours.
- Part A1: 48 single‑correct MCQs — +3 for correct, −1 for wrong.
- Part A2: 12 multiple‑correct MCQs — +6 only if all correct choices are marked and no wrong choice is marked; no negative in this part.
- Mode: OMR, offline; paper available in English & selected Indian languages (based on demand).
🧪 INBO — What to Expect
- Format: Descriptive theory; English & Hindi.
- Duration: 2 hours; centres in major cities (HBCSE list).
- Syllabus: Broadly equivalent to Class XI–XII Biology (CBSE); non‑routine Olympiad‑level problems.
⛳ Selection to INBO (from NSEB)
Shortlisting uses Minimum Admissible Score (MAS), Merit Index (MI), Proportional State/UT representation (min 4 per subject per State/UT), and a 15% super‑numerary quota for female students to reach the target number for INO.
➡️ After INBO → OCSC‑Biology
- Target intake: ~40 students (Groups A & B combined, typically).
- Outcome: Camp selection tests choose the Indian team for the International Biology Olympiad (IBO).
💳 Fees (Stage‑1 by IAPT)
₹300 per subject (as per IAPT/HBCSE notice). Check centre-specific payment instructions on the portal.
🧭 How to Apply (Quick Steps)
- Visit iapt.manageexam.com/Student/ and register.
- Fill profile, choose your NSE centre and subject: NSEB; pay the fee online.
- Download the hall ticket and appear for NSEB on 23 Nov 2025 (2:30–4:30 PM).
- If shortlisted, register for INBO on 1 Feb 2026 (1:30–3:30 PM) per HBCSE instructions.
📚 Preparation for Class 11–12 (Biology)
- Focus areas: cell biology, genetics, evolution, plant physiology, human physiology, ecology, biochemistry; data interpretation & experimental design.
- Practice: Solve NSEB/INBO past papers; aim for accuracy in A1 and complete correctness in A2; write full solutions for INBO problems.
🔗 Official Links
- IAPT Student Enrolment: iapt.manageexam.com
- NSE 2025–26 Student Brochure (PDF): iapt.org.in
- HBCSE Science Olympiad Brochure 2025–26: olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in
📝 Disclaimer
All dates, pattern and policies here are summarized from IAPT & HBCSE 2025–26 documents. Always verify latest notices on the official portals before applying.