National Entrance Screening Test (NEST)

NEST is a national-level entrance exam for admission to:

  • National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar
  • UM-DAE Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (CEBS), Mumbai

Both are premier institutions for integrated MSc (5-year) courses in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Educational Qualification: Must have passed Class XII (10+2) in science stream from a recognized board in 2023, 2024, or appearing in 2025.
  • Aggregate Marks: At least 60% marks (General category); for SC/ST/PwD, the requirement is 55%.
  • Subjects: Must have studied at least three subjects out of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology in 12th

NEST Exam Pattern

  • Mode: Computer-Based (online)
  • Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
  • Subjects (Sections):
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Mathematics
    • Physics
  • Questions per Section: 17 questions (12 MCQs + 5 MSQs)
  • Total Sections: 4
  • Marks per Section: 50
  • Total Marks: 200 (newer info); some brochures show 60 marks/section, totaling 240​
  • Type: Single and multiple-choice questions
  • Marking Scheme: +2.5, +3 per correct; -1 for wrong MCQ; no negative marks for MSQs (Multiple Select)​
  • Language: English

Syllabus

Follows CBSE/NCERT Class XI and XII syllabus:

  • Physics: Mechanics, Waves, Thermodynamics, Electromagnetism, Modern Physics, etc.
  • Chemistry: Physical, Organic, and Inorganic Chemistry topics, e.g., Structure of Atom, Periodic Table, Chemical Bonding.
  • Biology: Cell Biology, Genetics, Human Physiology, Ecology, Evolution, Biotechnology.
  • Mathematics: Algebra, Trigonometry, Coordinate Geometry, Calculus, Probability, Statistics, etc.

Participating Institutions & Seats

  • NISER Bhubaneswar: ~200 seats + Supernumerary (reserved for various categories)
  • CEBS Mumbai: ~57 seats + Supernumerary
  • All selected students receive scholarships and additional DAE grants during their study at NISER or CEBS.

Application Process

  1. Register online: www.nestexam.in
  2. Fill the form: Academic and personal details
  3. Upload documents: Photograph, signature
  4. Select test cities (5 preferences)
  5. Pay Fees: Online payment only

Selection Process

  • Ranking is based on a composite score calculated from the “best three” sections (highest-scoring) out of four. This ensures candidates focusing on three strong subjects are not disadvantaged.
  • Merit list for NISER and CEBS published separately.
  • Admission via centralized counseling conducted after results.

Scholarships

Admitted students are eligible for the INSPIRE Scholarship (₹60,000/yr) and DAE supplementary grant (at NISER).

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