NEST (National Entrance Screening Test) - 2023

The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) is the gateway for getting admission to the five-year integrated M.Sc. programme in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics 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. Candidates must pass the NEST exam to get admission to the integrated M.Sc. programme in these institutes.

Their mission is to prepare the next generation of scientists to conduct leading-edge research and to contribute to the scientific activities of the Department of Atomic Energy and other applied science organisations.

Table of Contents

• NEST Exam 2023 Overview
• NEST Dates
• NEST Application Form
• NEST Eligibility Criteria
• NEST Admit Card
• NEST Examination Centres
• NEST Syllabus
• NEST Answer Key
• NEST Cut-off
• Student Intake at NISER and CEBS
• NEST Counselling
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

NEST Exam 2023 Overview

NEST Important Dates

NEST Application Form

To apply for NEST 2023, candidates must fill out the online application form at www.nestexam.in on or after February 27, 2023. Candidates are advised to read through the detailed online application procedure. The online application process closes on May 17, 2023 (midnight). Applications can be submitted only through the NEST 2023 website. There is no other mode of application submission. Login credentials for logging into application submission and fee payment portals will be provided upon online registration.

NEST Eligibility Criteria

Candidates become eligible for the programme if they satisfy all the four criteria stated below.

• Secures a position on the NEST merit list.
• Passed the 12th board examination in the science stream in the years 2021 or 2022 or has appeared in 2023 from any recognised Higher Secondary Education Board in India.
• Secured at least 60% in aggregate in the 12th board examination. The requirement for SC/ST/Divyangjan candidates is 55%.
• Born on or after August 1, 2003. The age limit is relaxed by five years for SC/ST/Divyangjan students.

The eligibility for Divyangjan is as per the norms of the Government of India. The application fee reduction, age limit relaxation and reservation of seats may be availed of if the applicant satisfies the norms.

NEST Admit Card

The admit card for NEST 2023 will be available for download from June 12, 2023. Admit cards will not be dispatched to any applicant. They can download their admit cards from the NEST website after logging in. The download link will be available only till the day of the examination.

The NEST 2023 Admit Card will contain information such as the name of the candidate, the exam day and location, the reporting time, and the duration of the entrance exam. Candidates will not be permitted to enter the examination hall without the admit card. Candidates must bring their admit card and a valid photo identity card to the examination hall.

NEST Examination Centres

A proposed list of centres across India for the NEST 2023 examination is given in the table below.

Candidates must choose 5 centres in the order of preference while filling out the application form. Please note that ultimately, the allotment of an examination centre by the NEST Committee has to be regarded as final, and the request for a change of centre will not be entertained. The address of the examination centre allotted to the applicant will be mentioned on the NEST admit card.

NEST Syllabus

The syllabus for NEST 2023 primarily follows the NCERT/CBSE science syllabus of Classes 11 and 12. The detailed syllabus for the NEST examination is provided here.

Click the below link to get the detailed syllabus for NEST 2023.

Syllabus for NEST 2023

NEST Answer Key

Candidates who have registered for the NEST Exam 2023 will receive the NEST 2023 answer key via their registered email address. The answer key will be made available to candidates in the last week of June. Candidates will also have the option to object to the answer key if any discrepancies are discovered. In order to object to or challenge the NEST 2023 answer key, candidates will need to provide their NEST roll number and the question ID. After considering all candidates’ concerns, the authorities will release the final answer keys.

NEST Cut-off

Overall Cut-off or Minimum Admissible Percentile (MAP)

Student Intake at NISER and CEBS for Session 2023-2028

The number of seats available at NISER and CEBS for admission in the year 2023 would be as follows.

NEST Counselling

Receiving a merit rank by meeting the SMAS (Section-wise Minimum Admissible Score) and MAP (Minimum Admissible Percentile) requirements does not guarantee a candidate a seat or a call for admission or counselling. Details of the admission and counselling procedures will be posted on each institution’s website in advance.