NEST 2026 Registration Begins

The registration process for the National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) 2026 is now live. The application form submission has officially started today, January 5, 2026. Candidates who want to take the NEST 2026 test for admission to the five year Integrated Master of Science (MSc) programmes can apply online only. The deadline for submitting applications and completing the registration process for NEST 2026 is April 6, 2026.

NEST is a national level entrance test which is a prerequisite for admission to the Integrated MSc courses in basic sciences. The NEST 2026 examination will be held on June 6, 2026, from 2 pm to 5 pm. The test will be conducted at about 140 centres across India.

According to the notification issued by the authorities, applicants will be allowed to make the payment of the application fee until April 12, 2026, 11.30 pm. The NEST 2026 admit card will be made available on the official website on May 15, 2026. Candidates will use their login credentials to get the admit card.

NEST 2026 application fee

During the registration process, the candidates belonging to the Unreserved (UR) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) categories should pay the application fee of Rs 1, 400. The applicants of the Unreserved, Economically Weaker Section (UR, EWS), Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Divyangjan categories, and all female candidates are required to pay a half fee of Rs 700 only.

NEST 2026 eligibility criteria

The candidates who have passed their Class 12 or an equivalent examination in 2024 or 2025 with at least 60 percent of marks may apply. The minimum marks for SC and ST candidates are 55 percent. The students who will appear for the Class 12 examination in 2026 may also submit their application forms.

Courses and seats offered

NEST 2026 examination is for admission to five year Integrated MSc programmes in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. Admission will be made at two institutes: National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) and University of Mumbai, Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM, CEBS).

In total, 261 seats will be filled through NEST 2026. Among these, 202 seats are for NISER and 59 seats for UM, CEBS.

Applicants use the guidelines below to register for the test:

1. Go to the official website nestexam.in.

2. Select the NEST Registration 2026 option on the main page.

3. Complete the application form with personal and educational information.

4. Attach the appropriate files in the correct format and size.

5. Make the payment for the application fee and submit the form.

6. Print or save the confirmation page for later use.