The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) 2026 was conducted on June 6, 2026 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode by NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai for admission to their prestigious 5-year Integrated MSc programmes in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics. These two institutions are affiliated with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and are among India’s most sought-after destinations for students pursuing a career in fundamental science and research.
The overall paper difficulty was rated moderate to moderately tough by students who appeared at centres across India. Physics and Biology sections were reported as more challenging, Chemistry was described as lengthy, and Mathematics as moderate in difficulty.

NEST 2026 Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam Date | June 6, 2026 |
| Exam Timing | 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Official Website | nestexam.in |
| Provisional Answer Key | Expected June 10, 2026 |
| Objection Window | June 10 to June 12, 2026 |
| NEST 2026 Result | June 24, 2026 |
NEST 2026 Exam Pattern
| Section | Subjects | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Section 1 (Compulsory) | General Aptitude for Sciences | MCQ and Analytical Questions |
| Section 2, 3, 4 (Choose Best 3) | Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics | Subject-specific MCQs |
Rank preparation uses marks from the best three sections for NISER admissions.
Qualifying Percentile Criteria
| Category | Minimum Admissible Percentile (MAP) |
|---|---|
| General | 95th percentile |
| OBC-NCL | 90th percentile |
| SC, ST, PwD | 75th percentile |
Available Seats
| Institution | Seats |
|---|---|
| NISER Bhubaneswar | Approximately 180 seats across 4 disciplines |
| UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai | Approximately 80 seats across 4 disciplines |
INSPIRE-SHE programme scholarship holders are also recommended for NISER and CEBS by DST. NEST qualifiers receive fellowship funding during their 5-year programme, making these admissions financially accessible to meritorious students from all backgrounds.










