The registration window for the National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) 2026 is now officially open, marking the start of the admission process for aspirants of five-year Integrated Master of Science programmes. The process commenced on January 5, 2026, and will remain active until April 6, 2026.
Key Dates and Application Process for NEST 2026
Prospective candidates must note the critical timeline for the examination. The NEST 2026 entrance test itself is scheduled for June 6, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. It will be conducted across approximately 140 examination centres spread throughout India. Following the application submission, the final date to pay the application fee is April 12, 2026, until 11:30 PM. Successful registrants can download their admit card or hall ticket from the official website, nestexam.in, starting May 15, 2026.
The application procedure is conducted fully online. Candidates need to visit the official portal, click on the NEST Registration 2026 link, and meticulously fill in their personal and academic details. The process involves uploading necessary documents in the specified format and making the requisite fee payment. It is highly advised to review all entered information carefully before final submission and to save the confirmation page for future reference.
Eligibility, Fees, and Participating Institutes
The eligibility criteria for NEST 2026 are clearly defined. Students who have passed their Class 12 or equivalent examination in either 2024 or 2025 with a minimum of 60% marks are eligible to apply. For candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) categories, the minimum requirement is relaxed to 55%. Notably, students who are appearing for their Class 12 board exams in 2026 are also eligible to apply.
The application fee structure is designed to be inclusive. Candidates from the Unreserved (UR) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) categories are required to pay Rs 1,400. A concessional fee of Rs 700 is applicable for applicants from Unreserved-Economically Weaker Section (UR-EWS), SC, ST, Divyangjan categories, and for all female candidates.
Seat Distribution and Academic Programmes
NEST 2026 serves as the gateway for admission to prestigious five-year Integrated MSc programmes in four core scientific disciplines: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. Admissions are offered at two renowned institutions: the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) and the University of Mumbai - Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-CEBS).
A total of 261 seats are available for the academic session through this examination. The seat breakdown allocates 202 seats at NISER and the remaining 59 seats at UM-CEBS. This national-level test is a crucial opportunity for science enthusiasts to secure a seat in these esteemed integrated programmes, which are designed to build a strong foundation in basic sciences.
