NEST : Exam Date, Registration, Eligibility, Syllabus, Results

The NEST 2026 Exam was held in computer-based mode on 06 June 2026 at various test centers across India, including cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar and many more. The question paper had a total of 80 multiple-choice questions divided into four sections—one for each subject. Each section carried equal weightage and the total exam was marked out of 240 marks. There was negative marking for incorrect answers, so candidates were advised to answer carefully. The total duration of the exam was 3 hours.

The application process was online, and the application fee was around INR 1,400 for General/OBC male candidates and INR 700 for SC/ST/PwD and female candidates. After the exam, the provisional answer key was released on 08 June 2026 followed by the result being declared on 24 June 2026 and only qualified students will be able to download their scorecards on 25 June 2026. 

NEST 2026 Exam Important Dates

NEST Exam 2026 Eligibility Criteria 

Candidates must check all the required details regarding eligibility criteria on the official website. Below is the basic criteria for the exam:-

• Candidates must be from the regular science stream in Class XI and XII.

• They must have appeared or passed Class XII from a recognized Indian board in 2024, 2025 or 2026.

• Candidates appearing in 2026 must pass the board exam before admission.

• A minimum of 60% aggregate marks in Class XII is required for General, EWS and OBC candidates.

• The minimum required marks in Class XII for SC, ST and Divyangjan candidates are 55%.

• Candidates applying for the NEST 2026 must be citizens of India.

• There is no age limit to apply for the NEST 2026 Exam.

The NEST 2026 application process began on 05 January 2026 and closed on 08 April 2026. Candidates applied online through the official website. To complete the application, applicants provided personal details such as name, date of birth, and contact information, along with their academic records from Class 10 and 12.

Additionally, candidates uploaded a recent passport-size photograph, a signature, and a valid ID proof like an Aadhaar or PAN card. The application fee was INR 1400 for male candidates from the General and OBC categories and INR 700 for candidates from SC, ST, PwD and all female categories. The fee was paid through online modes like debit/credit cards, UPI, or net banking. 

NEST Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme 2026

The NEST 2026 exam had four sections: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics, each with 20 MCQs worth 60 marks. Correct answers earn 3 marks while incorrect answers will lose 1 mark and unanswered questions will not be penalised. The total marks will be 240 but the merit list will consider the best 3 out of 4 sections (180 marks). The question paper was in both Hindi and English, with the English version being the official one in case of any discrepancies. Online mock papers and past year papers are also available to download for all students. 

NEST 2026 Subject-Wise Exam Syllabus 

The NEST 2026 syllabus is based on the NCERT curriculum of Classes 11 and 12 and covers four core subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. The syllabus helps students prepare strategically for each section of the exam. Here is the subject-wise syllabus for each subject: 

The NEST 2026 admit card is a crucial document that all registered candidates must download and carry to the examination center. It was released online on the official website @www.nestexam.in on 24 May 2026. The admit card will contain important details such as the candidate’s name, roll number, exam date and time, exam center address and instructions for exam day.

Steps to Download NEST 2026 Admit Card:

• Visit the official website: www.nestexam.in

• Click on the link “Download Admit Card – NEST 2026”

• Log in using your User ID and registered Password.

• Download the admit card and take a printout for the exam center.

• Check all the details beforehand to avoid any discrepancies.

Candidates must check all information on the admit card. In case of any error, contact the exam authorities immediately. Carrying a valid ID proof along with the admit card to the exam center is mandatory.

NEST Exam 2026 Answer Key 

The NEST Exam 2026 provisional answer key was released by the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) on the official website on 08 June 2026 and will be open to challenge by the students from 10 to 12 June 2026 until 11:30 pm. Candidates accessed all section marks and the aggregate marks obtained for both morning and afternoon shifts. The answer key was in PDF format, containing information like the student’s name, marks, and section-wise marks. Students could object to the provisional answer key before the result or the final cutoff was released. After reviewing the objections and considering all the claims, the examination authorities released the final answer key before the results.

NEST Exam 2026 Result 

The NEST 2026 Exam result will be released on 24 June 2026 with the scorecards available on 25 June 2026. The result will be in the merit list format and this document contains information like the candidate’s name, roll number, marks obtained, and the qualifying status. Students are still able to download the scorecard after the result announcement on the official website. It can be accessed by using their application number and their created password. The result was based on two important factors: the SMAS score and the Minimum Admissible Percentile.

The NEST Cutoff is the minimum score that an applicant needs to get in the National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) to qualify for admission. The cutoff marks are a crucial document that helps students get an idea of seat allotment to their preferred colleges. The cutoff marks are based on different categories like General, OBC, SC, ST and PwD. It also depends on factors like the difficulty of the exam, the number of students, and available seats. Below is the past year (2024) cutoff available check to get an idea. 

NEST 2024 Subject-wise Cutoff (Shift-1)

NEST 2024 Subject-wise Cutoff (Shift-2)

NEST 2025 Subject-wise Cutoff 

SMAS System

MAP 

NEST Exam 2026 preparation Tips and Books

• The first step should be to understand the entire syllabus, along with the exam pattern, to predict what will appear in the examination.

• Students should use textbooks instead of multiple study materials for better understanding.

• Solve previous-year question papers to understand the types of questions and their difficulty levels.

• Regular mock tests will help you build speed and accuracy.

•  Mock analysis for better improvement.

• Avoid last-minute new learning.

• Get enough sleep and proper meals to stay focused and healthy.

Suggested Books For NEST 2026 Exam