Ishita ChauhanRetainer
The NEST Exam Date for the academic year 2025 is scheduled for the fourth week of June 2025, tentatively.
The NEST 2025 is a National Level exam which is conducted across India, once a year. This exam is conducted for those students who wish to take admission to UM-DAE CEBS and NISER for different programmes like Integrated 5-year MSc Programme, MSc Programme in Medical & Radiological Physics, Integrated MSc+PhD Programme, and PhD Programme.
According to the previous dates record, the NEST 2025 Application Process is tentative to start in the third week of March 2025 and the NEST 2025 Admit Card is tentative to release in the third week of June 2025. Those who wish to pursue the NEST CEBS 2025 Counselling Process for the first round will start in the first week of August 2025, tentatively. The selected candidates need to report to their allotted campus on time to secure their seats, or else their seats will be forfeited. The chances of releasing the counselling schedule for both NEST CEBS and NEST NISER are likely to be released in the third week of July 2025, tentatively.
Knowing about the upcoming NEST 2025 dates students can make their preparation strategy to qualify for the NEST Exam. For the Integrated MSc programme 2024–29, the total number of seats at NISER and UMDAE CEBS are 200 and 57, respectively.
Latest Updates:
- What is NEST?
- NEST 2025 Exam Dates & Schedule
- NEST 2025 Highlights
- NEST 2025 Result
- NEST 2025 Cutoff
- NEST 2025 Answer Key
- NEST 2025 Exam Analysis
- NEST 2025 Mock Test
- NEST 2025 Admit Card
- NEST 2025 Exam Centres
- NEST 2025 Preparation Tips
- NEST Exam Pattern 2025
- NEST 2025 Syllabus
- NEST 2025 Question Paper
- NEST 2025 Eligibility Criteria
- NEST 2025 Participating Colleges and Seat Intake
- NEST 2025 Application Form and Process
- NEST Contact Details 2025
- FAQs Regarding NEST 2025
What is NEST?
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Physics
NEST is a hard exam, but with good preparation, candidates can perform well in NEST to grab the opportunity to pursue a high-quality education in basic sciences at two of the country's leading institutes. Students will get the opportunity to conduct research under the guidance of world-renowned scientists. Candidates must be aware of NEST Exam registration details to fill out the form and appear in the exam on time to qualify.
NEST 2025 Exam Dates & Schedule
Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of NEST 2024 exam
Dates | Upcoming Exam Dates |
---|---|
Apr '25 | NEST 2024 Application Process (Extended) TENTATIVE |
Jun '25 | NEST 2024 Application Form Correction Window TENTATIVE |
Jun '25 | NEST 2024 Admit Card TENTATIVE |
Jun '25 | NEST 2024 Exam Date TENTATIVE |
Jul '25 | NEST 2024 Provisional Answer Key TENTATIVE |
Jul '25 | NEST 2024 Answer Key Objection Window TENTATIVE |
Jul '25 | NEST 2024 Exam Result TENTATIVE |
NEST 2025 Highlights
Candidates must go through the following table to learn some important things related to the NEST 2025 exam.
Particulars | Details |
---|---|
Exam Name | National Entrance Screening Test |
Conducting Body | NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai |
Exam Level | Undergraduate Exam at the National Level |
Exam Frequency | Once a Year |
Mode of Exam | Online or Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
Courses Offered Through Entrance Exam | Integrated MSc |
Exam Fees | INR 1,200 (Male candidates of General and OBC categories) INR 600 (Female candidates of all categories and male candidates of SC, ST and PwD categories) |
Exam Duration | 3 hours and 30 minutes |
Total Marks | 200 |
Total Number of Questions | 68 |
Marking Scheme | +2.5 for each correct answer (MCQs) +4 for each correct answer (MSQs) -1 for each incorrect answer (MCQs) 0 for incorrect answer in MSQs and unattempted questions |
Language/Medium of Questions | English |
Colleges Accepting NEST Score |
3 colleges
|
Total Number of Seats |
257
|
Number of Exam Cities | 120 |
Official Website | https://www.nestexam.in/# |
Contact Details | Helpline Number - 022- 61087510 Email - nest2022cebs@gmail.com |
NEST 2025 Result
NEST 2025 Results will be released in the second week of July 2025, tentatively. NEST merit list/ result includes the candidate's roll numbers and candidates who qualify for the integrated MSc entrance exam. Candidates need to fill in their login credentials to download their NEST 2025 Scorecards. The NEST scorecard consists of information on sectional and overall scores, percentile, and All India Rank (AIR). It is advisable for candidates to secure their scorecards until the NEST 2025 admission process ends.
NEST 2025 Cutoff
CEBS Mumbai and NISER Bhubaneswar will publish the NEST 2025 cut-off marks according to the sessions, subjects, and categories. The NEST 2025 cutoff will be published on the official site in two categories: Section-wise Minimum Admissible Score (SMAS), which directs to the sectional cutoff, and Minimum Acceptable Percentile (MAP), or overall percentile.
For each section, 20 per cent of the average of the best 100 scores in that section will be considered SMAS, as per the officials. SMAS for different sections can be of different numerical values. Along with the sectional NEST cutoff, candidates also need to clear the overall NEST 2025 cutoff percentile. The NEST 2025 cutoff will be 95 per cent for General category candidates, 90 per cent for the OBC candidates and candidates who belong to the reserved category, for them the cutoff will be 75 per cent. However, the numbers are based on the NEST cutoff analysis for the previous year.
NEST 2025 Answer Key
Once the NEST 2025 answer key is out, it will be sent to the registered email addresses of the exam takers along with their answer scripts.
Candidates must go through the answer key to check the correct answer calculate their estimated score and evaluate their chances of admission to the NEST participating institutes. Candidates must submit objections against one or more NEST 2025 answer keys. The exam takers do not have to pay fees or charges for raising objections against provisional answer keys. The answer key of NEST 2025 consists of the correct options for each section i.e. Physics, Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics in the same pdf file only.
NEST 2025 Exam Analysis
The NEST 2025 exam will be conducted in the fifth week of June 2025, at various exam centres across the nation. NEST is a national-level entrance exam, conducted in two shifts i.e. morning shift (9:00 AM to 12:30 PM) and the afternoon shift (2:30 PM to 6:00 PM). As per the previous year's exam, out of all sections, Physics was the toughest, followed by Mathematics. Chemistry and Biology were on the easier lines.
NEST 2025 Mock Test
One of the best ways to prepare for the NEST Exam is to practise Mock test papers. Students can access mock test papers provided by coaching institutes to get exposure to NEST question types and important topics as well. Along with taking the NEST mock tests, candidates must also analyse their performance to know their areas of improvement.
NEST 2025 Admit Card
The NEST 2025 Admit Card will be out in the third week of June 2025, tentatively. Candidates who registered themselves are eligible to download the NEST 2025 Hall Ticket by filling in their login credentials. The NEST admit card carries information such as personal details, exam date and time, exam centre address, and exam day guidelines and instructions. Candidates need to carry their NEST admit card to the exam centre. The NEST admit card 2025 will be available only online, and candidates must keep it safe until the exam's counselling or admission process is complete.
NEST 2025 Exam Centres
The NEST 2025 was conducted across India in centres located in 120 cities. Students will get the choice of selecting a minimum of five exam centres across India to appear for the NEST Exam while filling in the NEST Application Form. The exam conducting body will allot the NEST 2025 Exam Centres as per the candidate's preference and availability. The final allotted test centre was mentioned on the NEST 2025 admit card. After the issuance of the admit card, candidates' requests to change centres were not entertained.
NEST 2025 Preparation Tips
Candidates who wish to pursue their integrated MSc integrated programmes at NISER, Bhubaneshwar and UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai jointly, for them NEST is a crucial exam. So, here are some tips to prepare for the NEST Exam for candidates who wish to appear for the NEST 2025 Exam.
- Comprehend NEST Syllabus and Pattern: Candidates must know what needs to be studied. The syllabus of NEST 2025 is vast and includes classes 11 and 12 important topics of Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Maths. Students must also keep the NEST exam pattern in mind while preparing for it to know what type of questions will be asked and the time available to complete the paper.
- Direct to previous year's NEST question papers: Previous year's papers are an excellent start to preparing for any exam. They will help students understand the subject-wise weightage of topics and the difficulty level of exams.
- Organise a timetable for study: Studying as per the timetable can help in covering the syllabus in a planned manner. It is highly advised that students make a NEST preparation timetable with at least two to three hours for all three subjects and one hour for revision.
- Stay Consistent while studying: As the syllabus of NEST is vast, all chapters will only be covered if studied regularly daily. Regularity is very important in clearing the NEST 2025.
- Use NCERT textbooks: Students must know that the NCERT textbooks are the foundation for the NEST syllabus. NEST candidates must learn from the NCERT textbook and create a solid foundation of ideas and theories. They may also refer to other books to understand the concepts better.
- Choosing the Best Reference Books: NEST students must use the best reference books that cover topics from the basics to the advanced level.
- Revision: Revision is an important part of preparation. If a candidate does not revise what they study, there are possibilities that they will not be able to recall it at the time of examinations.
- Mock Test Paper: Solve mock test papers regularly. It is advised that students solve chapter-wise mock papers on completion of a chapter and full-length mock test papers after the completion of the entire syllabus.
NEST Exam Pattern 2025
Candidates must go through the following details for the NEST 2025 Exam Pattern:
Mode Of Examination: The NEST 2025 examination was a Computer-Based Test (CBT/online exam).
Type of Questions: The question paper consisted of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) and Multiple Select Questions (MSQ).
Exam Duration: 3 hours and 30 minutes were provided to applicants for completing the examination.
Total Scores: The questions consisted of a total of 200 marks.
Total Sections: There were a total of four sections which included subjects i.e.physics, chemistry, mathematics and biology.
Below we have provided the complete section-wise pattern for the NEST 2025 Exam:
Section |
Subject |
Marking |
---|---|---|
1 |
Biology |
50 |
2 |
Physics |
50 |
3 |
Chemistry |
50 |
4 |
Mathematics |
50 |
Total |
200 Marks |
NEST 2025 Syllabus
Candidates who registered for the NEST Exam should know that they will receive the NEST 2025 syllabus via email. The NEST exam questions are asked from topics from class 11 and 12 books of the Science stream. The subjects include Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics. The exam officials have stated that questions in the NEST exam are mainly the science syllabus of Class 11 and 12 that is present in NCERT/ CBSE books. Candidates must go through the NEST 2025 syllabus on this page.
NEST Subject Wise Syllabus PDF
Subject | PDF file |
---|---|
Physics | Download Here |
Chemistry | Download Here |
Mathematics | Download Here |
Biology | Download Here |
The PDF of the class 6 to 12 booklet is mentioned in the table below which will help the students to prepare for the exam with good marks.
Class | NCERT Book Link |
---|---|
Class 6 | Download Here |
Class 7 | Download Here |
Class 8 | Download Here |
Class 9 | Download Here |
Class 10 | Download Here |
Class 11 | Download Here |
Class 12 | Download Here |
NEST 2025 Question Paper
The NEST 2025 question paper will be out on the official site after the commencement of the examination in June, in online mode. To prepare well candidates should download the NEST question paper for the previous year's exam.
Question paper structure
Here is the table with the basic structure of the NEST exam:
Section |
Subject |
Marks |
---|---|---|
I - Biology |
17 questions (12 MCQs + 5 MSQs) |
50 marks |
II - Chemistry |
17 questions (12 MCQs + 5 MSQs) |
50 marks |
III - Mathematics |
17 questions (12 MCQs + 5 MSQs) |
50 marks |
IV - Physics |
17 questions (12 MCQs + 5 MSQs) |
50 marks |
Total |
68 questions |
200 marks |
Knowing NEST exam questions will help candidates gain confidence on the day of the exam. NEST 2025 will be conducted in 2 shifts so candidates can expect two different sets of question papers in the examination.
The expected exam timings for both sessions of NEST 2025 will be as under:
- Morning shift - From 9 am to 12:30 pm
- Evening shift - From 2.30 pm to 6:00 pm.
NEST 2025 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates who wish to take the NEST Exam must go through the NEST Eligibility criteria before filling out the application form. Students must also fulfil the eligibility criteria mentioned below:
-
The candidates who have cleared the class 12 examination or equivalent in 2023, 2024 or those who will be appearing for the 12th Standard examination or equivalent in 2025, irrespective of category and age, will be eligible for admission to the Integrated M.Sc. programme of NISER/CEBS in 2025.
-
Applicants must secure at least 60 per cent marks in aggregate (or equivalent grade) in the Class 12 examination from any recognised Board in India. For Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) candidates and Divyangjan candidates, the minimum requirement is 55 per cent.
Note: If any applicants fail to qualify for the eligibility criteria mentioned above then their candidature may be rejected at any stage of the admission process.
NEST 2025 Participating Colleges and Seat Intake
NEST 2025 will be conducted for candidates to pursue a five-year integrated MSc programme in Basic Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics) offered at both NISER and UM-DAE CEBS. Candidates must go through the following table to learn about the NEST exam colleges and seat availability.
Here is the information details at both institutes are mentioned below which are tentative and can be changed when the NEST 2025 brochure is released:
Category |
Seats at NISER |
Seats at UM-DAE CEBS |
---|---|---|
General |
101 |
23 |
General-EWS |
0 |
6 |
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) |
54 |
15 |
SC |
30 |
9 |
ST |
15 |
4 |
Divyangjan/PWD |
Five % of seats in each category |
Five % of seats in each category |
Total |
200 |
57 |
NEST 2025 Application Form and Process
NEST 2025 Exam dates and application forms are released by NISER and UM-DAE CEBS. The application form registration will start in the first week of April 2025, tentatively. Students must find all the necessary details regarding the NEST 2025 Exam and its complete process on the official website of nestexam. in.
NEST 2025 Eligibility Criteria
Here is the list of information needed for the eligibility of NEST 2025 exam:
Eligibility Criteria |
Conditions |
---|---|
Age limit |
General and OBC category candidates born on or after August 1, 2004, are eligible for admission to the Integrated MSc programme of NISER/CEBS. The age limit is relaxed by five years for SC / ST / Divyangjan candidates. |
12 Class Subjects |
Applicants should have Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics as mandatory subjects in class 12. |
Minimum aggregate in 12 Class |
Candidates must secure at least 60 per cent marks in aggregate or equivalent grade |
For candidates belonging to scheduled castes (SC), scheduled tribes (ST) and Divyangjan categories |
The minimum requirement of marks is relaxed to 55 per cent in aggregate or equivalent grade in class 12 examination. |
NEST Application fee
Here is the information related to the expected NEST Fee for submitting the application form for NEST 2025.
Category |
Fees (in INR) |
---|---|
Male candidates of Unreserved/ EWS/OBC category | For Centers in India - 1,200 |
Female candidates in the Unreserved/EWS/OBC category |
For Centers in India - 600 |
SC/ST/PwD/Transgender category candidates |
For Centers in India - 600 |
The NEST 2025 application form will be released in an online mode on the official website. Students need to register themselves by providing their personal and educational details. After receiving the NEST 2025 registration credentials via email and SMS, candidates need to log in again and fill in the NEST application form with the remaining information such as personal, and academic details, exam city preference, course preference and document upload. After filling in the NEST application form, candidates need to submit the application fee. Candidates can make the payment of the NEST 2025 application fee online (through credit/ debit card/net banking) mode.
Candidates can check out the following video in order to get a better idea of filling up the NEST Application form.
NEST 2025 Admission Process
Five steps are involved related to the NEST 2025 Admission Process, which are described in the infographic below. The first step is to apply for the exam, the most critical step is to appear for the NEST 2025 exam and qualify for it. The final step is to participate in the NEST counselling process and take admission by submitting the required fee.
NEST Contact Details 2025
Candidates who wish to appear in the NEST exam can go through the contact details mentioned below, which will help the candidates during the admission process.
Helpdesk for raising queries/complaints regarding Registration, Application, Payment, etc.:
Use the grievance portal (click 'Helpdesk') after Registration/Login.
Helpdesk Contact: To be updated soon. [Mon-Sat 09:00-18.00]
For queries regarding Information Brochure & Syllabus and general information about NEST 2025:
Email-ID: nest-exam@niser.ac.in
Helpdesk Contact: To be updated soon. [Mon-Fri 10:00-13:00 and 15:00-17.00]
FAQs Regarding NEST 2025
Here are some important FAQs related to the NEST 2025 Examination
News & Updates
NEST Notifications
3 Institutes accepting NEST
- |
- Total Fees: ₹ 7,500
- |
- 5 years
- |
- Full Time
- |
- Total Fees: ₹ 88,250
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- 5 years
- |
- Full Time
- |
- Total Fees: ₹ 20,000
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- 5 years
- |
- Full Time