What are the important things candidates must remember while filling online application for NEST exam?

Important things to remember for the NEST 2026 online application are mentioned below: The correct email address should be provided. The NEST office communicates with candidates through this e-mail ID only. The phone number that is provided during the application should be accessible by the candidate. The NEST office uses this phone number to reach a candidate or to send SMS messages whenever necessary. A properly scanned and cropped recent passport-sized photograph should be uploaded. A properly scanned and cropped signature should be uploaded. The photograph and signature files must not be more than 80 KB each and must be in. JPG or JPEG format only. Applications incomplete in any respect will not be accepted.

Is there any other mode to submit NEST application?

Applications can be submitted only through the NEST 2026 website only. There is no other mode of application submission. Login credentials for logging into the application submission and fee payment portals will be provided upon online registration.

What are the important documents candidates need to fill the application form for NEST?

Applicants must have the following document to upload while filling NEST application form: Class 10 mark sheet/ report card/ certificate Class 12 mark sheet/ report card/ certificate Digital copy of the photograph Scanned signature The size of photograph and signature will be mentioned in official notification. Applicants are advised to follow the same specifications otherwise their candidature/application form may be rejected by the authorities.

When will the NEST application form 2026 release?

The NEST 2026 application form was released on January 5, and continued till April 8. The application process is completely online. The application correction facility will be provided from April 17 to April 18.

What is the eligibility for NEST exam?

The NEST 2026 eligibility criteria are defined on both basis age wise as well education wise. Admissions in NISER, Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS, Mumbai are done based on a candidate's score in the NEST exam. Candidates who have passed Class 12 from the Science stream are eligible to apply for the NEST exam. Candidates should pass Class 12 in Science stream from a recognised board in India with at least 60% aggregate marks (55% for SC/ ST/ PWD category candidates). Candidates should have passed Class XII either last year or will pass this year. There is no age limit to appear for NEST.

Can a PCB student give a NEST Exam?

Yes, PCB students can give the NEST exam. The National Entrance Screening Test is designed for both BiPC and MPC students. The question papers are based on Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology of Class 11 & 12. The NEST syllabus is based on the CBSE curriculum (2025-26).

How many exam cities can be chosen while filling the NEST 2026 application form?

NEST 2026 exam will be conducted in 140 cities across India. Applicants have to select three cities in order of preference. Every effort will be made to allot the centre of first preference. The final decision lies with the authorities. The exam conducting authorities will release the NEST 2026 admit card on May 15, 2026, which will mention the allotted NEST exam centre to the applicants.

What is the application fee for NEST exam?

The Application fee for the NEST Exam for the upcoming academic session 2026 is notified. The NEST 2026 Application fee for male candidates of the General and OBC categories is INR 1,400. The application fee for candidates in the SC/ST/Divyangjan categories and for all female candidates is INR 700. Payments can be made using credit card/debit card/Netbanking, and UPI modes.

How many exam centres need to be filled while filling the NEST application form?

Applicants are allowed to fill the three exam city choices while filling the application form of NEST exam. NEST 2026 will be conducted in 140 cities. Candidates have to enter the city names as per their preferential order, near their present address.

Is Biology compulsory for NEST exam?

For entrance exam since marks from three section are considered hence it can be said that it not compulsory. In the NEST exam your marks will be considered from any of 3 subjects out of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. but if you know basics it will help you to secure marks and for further study during campus classes. In first year after joining NISER you would be taught basic biology. In fact many students who did not have biology in class 12 and did fairly well in the biology exams during first year.

NEST Application Form 2026: Registration (Closed), Form Correction (April 17), Details to Edit

442 Students Q&A

Admit Card - 15 May '26

Updated on Apr 9, 2026 16:54 IST

By Vikash Kumar Vishwakarma

NEST 2026 registration window closed on April 8, 2026. The application form was available online. Passed 10+2 or equivalent from a recognized board with 60% marks (55% for SC, ST, Divyangjan) in aggregate could apply for the entrance test. NEST application process comprises registration, form filling, uploading documents, and payment of application fee. The form correction window will open on April 17, 2026. Registered candidates can appear for the National Entrance Screening Test on June 6, 2026.

Table of contents

Things required for NEST 2026 Application
NEST 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule
Important Instructions while filling the NEST Application Form
How to Fill NEST 2026 Application Form?
NEST 2026 Application Fee
NEST 2026 Application Correction Window
FAQs on NEST 2026 Application Form

Things required for NEST 2026 Application

The exam authorities have suggested that candidates keep the following information or documents ready before filling the NEST Application Form 2026.

An active email address and mobile number for the registration process. Since NEST officials will communicate on these, the correct details should be provided.
A recent passport-sized photograph and signature, scanned and cropped as mentioned in the application portal, should be uploaded.
The photograph and signature files must not be more than 80 KB each and must be in .JPG or .JPEG format only.

NEST 2026 Exam Dates & Schedule

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of NEST 2026 exam

Dates	Upcoming Exam Dates
05 Jan ' 26 - 12 Apr ' 26	NEST 2026 Application Process ONGOING
17 Apr ' 26 - 18 Apr ' 26	NEST 2026 Application Form Correction Window
May ' 26	NEST 2026 Mock Test Release TENTATIVE
15 May ' 26	NEST 2026 Admit Card
06 Jun ' 26	NEST 2026 Exam Date

Dates	Past Exam Dates
05 Jan ' 26 - 08 Jan ' 26	NEST 2026 Application Process

Important Instructions while filling the NEST Application Form

It is noticed that students make many mistakes while filling the form. Some of them start filling the form without checking the instructions, eligibility and more. This led to the rejection of application form. Below are a few important instructions to follow while filling the NEST application form.

Check NEST eligibility criteria
Read the instructions to fill the form.
Keep a valid email id and mobile number
Use class 10 admit card to provide the basic details.
Enter the correct marks.
Read all details carefully before final submission.

How to Fill NEST 2026 Application Form?

The authority had released the NEST application form on the website, nestexam.in. The eligible candidates had to fill and submit the application form online before the last date. The process to fill the application form of NEST 2026 is mentioned below.

Go to NEST 2026 website
Click on the tab Register Now
Fill up the mandatory fields
Generate Username and Password
Login with the registration details
Fill up the application form and upload documents
Pay the application fee through Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking and UPI modes
Once the registration form is submitted then students must take a printout and save it for further usage.

NIPER JEE 2026 Eligibility Criteria

The NEST 2026 eligibility criteria are announced by the conducting body in the information bulletin, which is provided below.

The candidates who have cleared the Class 12 examination or equivalent in 2024, 2025 or those who will be appearing for the Class 12 Board exam or equivalent in 2026, irrespective of category and age, will be eligible for NEST 2026.
Candidates must have studied at least three subjects between Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics in Class 11 and Class 12.
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), and Divyangjan candidates, the minimum requirement is 55 per cent.
There is no age limit to appear for NEST 2026.

NEST 2026 Application Fee

Candidates need to pay the NEST application fee online. The payment can be made through net banking / credit card / debit card. After the submission of the form fee application will get submitted. NEST application fee varies for each category. Below are the NEST form fees for GEN, OBC, EWS, SC, and ST.

Category	Fees (in INR)
Male candidates of the Unreserved/ EWS/OBC category	1,400
Female candidates in the Unreserved/EWS/OBC category	700
SC/ST/PwD/Transgender category candidates	700

NEST 2026 Application Correction Window

Candidates must be aware of the registration date for the NEST Exam, along with the application correction window opening and closing dates to make any corrections, as per the official notification on the official site. The online correction window is scheduled from April 17, 2026, to April 18, 2026. Students have the liberty to correct or update the information on the NEST 2026 Application form. The process is given below.

Visit the official website of NEST 2026
Log in using the Application or User ID and Password
In the application account, update the details
Click on the Submit button and save the updated information
No separate fee is needed.

FAQs on NEST 2026 Application Form

Check the NEST Application Form 2026 FAQs here.

Q: What is the procedure to allot NEST Exam Centres?

The test centres of NEST exam are allotted based on the number of applicants opting for a particular test. It is to be noted that NEST committee reserves the right to cancel or add any of the test cities without prior notice to applicants.

The final allocation of NEST Test Centres will be mentioned on the admit card, Applicants can not make any request to change the address or venue in it once it is decided.

Q: When will NEST 2026 application process start?

NEST 2026 application process commenced on January 5, 2026. The application form was available online at "nestexam.in". The last date to apply for NEST was April 8, 2026.

Q: How to check NEST exam centre?

Students have to check the NEST admit card to know which exam centre is allotted to them. The exam cities are allotted as per the candidates' preference. Candidates can make their preference for the test cities while filling the NEST application form. NEST exam cities details are mentioned online.

Q: What do you need to carry for NEST exam?

Candidates appearing for NEST exam need to carry admit card and a valid photo id on the exam day. Rest items are prohibited. Check the NEST admit card for prohibited items.

Q: What documents will be valid as photo ID for NEST exam?

Candidates have to carry any one of the following documents will be considered as valid for appearing in the NEST 2026 examination:

Passport
Aadhaar Card or Enrolment slip
Voter ID
Driver's License
PAN Card

If any student does not have any of these ID cards then they must bring their admit card of class 12 board exam in the examination hall.

Q: What should I do if I am unable to upload my passport-size photograph while filling out the application form for NEST?

While filling the NEST online form, candidates must ensure that they uploaded the photograph in the format prescribed by exam authorities. The digital photograph uploaded by candidates need to be in JPEG format and should not have exceeded 80 KB.

If all the image specifications are correct then also applicants need to check their internet failing which their registration process can be cancelled.