NEST 2026 Application Form: The NISER Bhubaneswar and Mumbai University-Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences will begin the online application window for the National Screening Entrance Test today, January 5, 2026. NEST is taken by students willing to enroll in a 5-year integrated MSc program in basic sciences. The application process will be conducted in online mode: no offline forms will be made available.
As part of the application process, candiadets have to register on the online portal, fill out a form, pay a fee, and upload documents. Candidates must pay a requisite fee; otherwise application won’t be accepted. General and male candidates have to pay Rs 1,200, while for female and other categories, the fee is Rs 600. Get complete details on eligibility criteria and NEST 2026 application form dates here.
NEST 2026 Application Form: Check Key Dates
Eligible candidates can take note of the important dates mentioned below for NEST 2026 application form in the table below:
| Events | Date |
| Online Submission of Application Form Start Date | January 5, 2026, at 10 AM |
| Last Date to Apply for NEST | April 6, 2026, at 11:30 PM |
Eligibility Criteria to Apply for NEST 2026
We highly recommend that candidates ensure they qualify the eligibility conditions before heading to filling NEST 2026 application form. Find the eligibility conditions below:
- To be eligible for integrated MSc programs, it is mandatory to pass the 10+2 exam from a recognised board.
- Candidates should have qualified in classes 11 and 12 with at least three compulsory subjects, including Biology, Chemistry, and Math/Physics.
- The minimum qualifying score for general candidates is 60% while for reserved candidates, it is 55% in class 12.