NEST 2027: Apply in January; exam in June

The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) 2027, the compulsory entrance examination for admission to the five-year Integrated MSc programmes at the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) Bhubaneswar and the University of Mumbai – Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-DAE CEBS) Mumbai, is tentatively scheduled for the first week of June 2027. The official notification and information brochure for NEST 2027 are expected to be released online by NISER and CEBS in mid-December 2026 or the first week of January 2027 on the official website, nestexam.in.

The application process for NEST 2027 is anticipated to commence in January 2027. This annual computer-based test is designed to identify students demonstrating conceptual clarity, multi-step reasoning, and a deep interest in basic sciences, offering admissions to programmes in Biological, Chemical, Mathematical, and Physical sciences.

NEST 2027 Application Timeline and Key Dates

The NEST 2027 application form is expected to be released in January 2027. Prospective candidates will have until the second week of April 2027 to complete their registration and submit the required fees. A mock test facility is also slated to open in the second week of April 2027, followed by an application correction window in the third week of April 2027.

Admit cards for the examination are projected to be released in the third week of May 2027. Following the exam in early June, provisional answer keys are expected in the second week of June, with an objection window in the third week of June. The final answer key is anticipated in the first week of July, and results are scheduled for the fourth week of July 2027, with counselling beginning in the third week of July.

Eligibility Criteria and Examination Structure

To be eligible for NEST 2027, candidates must have passed Class 10+2 or an equivalent examination from a recognised board in 2025, 2026, or be appearing in 2027. A minimum of 60% aggregate marks (or equivalent grade) in Class XII is required for general category candidates, while SC/ST/Divyangjan candidates need at least 55%. There is no upper age limit for appearing in NEST 2027. Candidates must have studied at least three out of the four disciplines (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology) in Class XI and XII.

The NEST 2027 exam will be a 3-hour computer-based test (CBT) conducted in approximately 387 cities across India. It will consist of 80 multiple-choice questions, with 20 questions each from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics, totalling 240 marks. The marking scheme awards +3 marks for each correct answer, deducts -1 mark for each incorrect answer, and assigns 0 marks for unattempted questions. The merit list will be prepared based on the best three out of four subject section scores. Divyangjan candidates are eligible for one hour of compensatory time, extending their total exam duration to four hours. The exam will be conducted in both Hindi and English.

Syllabus and Preparation Guidance

The syllabus for NEST 2027 will cover topics based on Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology, aligning with the CBSE curriculum and NCERT textbooks of Classes XI-XII. Candidates are also advised to concentrate on Class 10 science subjects for thorough preparation. While NCERT books are considered essential for building a strong foundation, particularly in Chemistry and Biology, they may not be sufficient on their own for NEST preparation.

NISER and UM-DAE CEBS, established in 2007 by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India, offer research-oriented teaching in basic sciences. The merit list derived from NEST results is used exclusively for admissions to these institutions. NISER offers a total of 200 seats for its five-year Integrated M.Sc. programme, including reserved seats for SC/ST/OBC/Divyangjan candidates as per Government norms, and two supernumerary seats for eligible candidates from J&K and Ladakh.

Application Fees

The registration fee for the National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) 2027 varies based on gender and category. Female candidates, regardless of their category, are required to pay an application fee of INR 700. Similarly, male candidates belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), or Persons with Disabilities (PwD) categories also have a registration fee of INR 700.

For male candidates in the Unreserved (UR) or Other Backward Classes (OBC) categories, the application fee for NEST 2027 is INR 1,400. The application process is anticipated to commence in January 2027, with the last date to submit the required fees falling in the second week of April 2027.

Further reading

• NEST exam pattern: sections, marking and duration Next step
• CBSE 12th/CUET: Apply for B.Com in Auditing in Karnataka by Today
• IISER application form: eligibility, dates and how to apply
• JEE Advanced application form: eligibility, dates and how to apply
• NEST: complete exam guide

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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