NEST Admission Process 2026
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The NEST Admission Process 2026 is the gateway for students seeking entry into premier institutes offering integrated M.Sc. programs in science. Conducted through a national-level entrance examination, the process includes online registration, application submission, admit card release, and a computer-based test followed by result declaration and counseling. Candidates must carefully review eligibility criteria, exam pattern, and important dates before applying.
The admission process is designed to assess conceptual understanding and analytical skills in core science subjects. Qualified candidates are allotted seats based on merit, preferences, and availability during the centralized counseling process.
NEST Exam 2026 Overview
| Exam Name | National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) 2026 |
|---|---|
| Exam Conducting Body | NISER, Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS, Mumbai |
| Mode of Exam | Online |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Duration of Exam | 3 hours |
| Language | English |
| Total Marks | 230 |
| Number of Sections | 5 |
| Courses Offered | 5-year Integrated M.Sc. courses |
| Official Website | www.nestexam.in |
NEST 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application form release date | January 5, 2026 |
| Last date to submit application form | April 6, 2026 (up to 11:30 PM) |
| Last date to pay application fee | April 12, 2026 (11:30 PM) |
| Application correction window | April 13–14, 2026 |
| Admit card release | May 15, 2026 (around mid-May) |
| NEST 2026 exam date | June 6, 2026 |
| Result date | June/July 2026 (as per latest schedule) |
NEST Exam 2026 Eligibility Criteria
- Nationality: Candidates must be Indian citizens to be eligible for NEST 2026.
- Educational qualification: Candidates should have passed or be appearing in Class 12 (10+2) in Science stream with a combination of at least three subjects among Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology from a recognised board.
- Year of passing: Candidates must have passed Class 12 in 2024 or 2025, or be appearing in 2026 (as specified in the official brochure).
- Minimum marks: General/OBC candidates must secure at least 60% aggregate marks in Class 12 or equivalent; SC/ST/PwD candidates get 5% relaxation (minimum 55%).
- Age limit: There is generally no specific upper age limit, but candidates must meet the academic year and marks criteria as per the brochure.
NEST Exam 2026 Application Fee
- The NEST 2026 application fee has different amounts for General/OBC and SC/ST/PwD categories, payable only in online mode.
- Payment can be made via debit card, credit card, net banking or UPI through the payment gateway on the NEST portal.
- The fee is non‑refundable under normal circumstances, so candidates should verify all details before final submission.
Documents required for NEST Exam 2026 Application Form Filling
- Valid email ID and active mobile number for registration and communication.
- Class 10 certificate or mark sheet for date of birth verification.
- Class 12 (or equivalent) mark sheet / latest marks details or proof of appearing in 2026.
- Scanned passport‑size colour photograph as per prescribed dimensions and file size.
- Scanned signature of the candidate in the required format.
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC‑NCL/EWS) if applicable, in the prescribed format.
- PwD certificate, if applicable.
- Identity proof details (Aadhaar/other ID) if asked in the form.
- Online payment details – debit/credit card, net banking or UPI for application fee payment.
Steps to fill out the NEST 2026 Application Form
Structure this as a step‑by‑step process:
Visit official website
- Go to the official NEST website nestexam.in and click on the NEST 2026 application link on the home page.
Register as a new user
- Click on “New Registration” and enter basic details like name, email ID, mobile number, date of birth and create a password.
- Submit the form to generate a registered account; login credentials will be sent to the registered email/mobile.
Login and fill application details
- Login using your registered email/user ID and password.
- Fill personal details, address, academic details (Class 10 & 12), category, and other required information.
- Select preferred exam city/centre from the available list.
Upload documents
- Upload scanned images of your recent passport‑size photograph and signature in the prescribed format and size.
- Upload category/PwD certificates if applicable.
Pay application fee
- Proceed to the fee payment section and pay the NEST 2026 application fee online through card, net banking or UPI.
- Ensure payment status shows “successful” before moving ahead.
Preview and submit the form
- Carefully review all the entered details in the preview section.
- Submit the application form; after submission, some fields may not be editable except during the official correction window.
Download and print confirmation
- Download the submitted application form/confirmation page and save a PDF copy.
- Take a printout for future reference (admit card download, result, counselling).
