Introduction
NISER and UM-DAE CEBS are autonomous institutions established by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India, in 2007. These institutes were started with the mandate of providing research-oriented teaching in basic sciences by faculties of practising scientists aimed at creating a national pool of human resources to lead the nation to excellence in teaching and research in basic and applied sciences. NISER, located near Bhubaneswar in Odisha, is an off-campus centre of the Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), a deemed-to-be university established by DAE. Academic programs of NISER are affiliated with HBNI. UM-DAE CEBS, located on the Vidyanagari campus of the University of Mumbai (UM), was established jointly by DAE and UM in 2007. Academic programs of CEBS are affiliated with UM.
NEST 2026 will be conducted in around 387 cities across India. The examination is scheduled for June 6, 2026, and will be held in a computer-based format. Applications close on 6th April 2026, so students must apply within the deadline.
Academic Offering – Integrated MSc Programme
These institutes offer unique Integrated MSc programmes in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
The integrated MSc programs offered in these institutes are residential, stipendiary, and follow a biannual semester and credit-based course curriculum which also encourages ample exposure of students to research early in the program.
NISER and UM-DAE CEBS are equipped with state-of-the-art teaching and research laboratories, modern computational facilities, and excellent libraries.
Find the syllabus here for your reference: https://www.nestexam.in/docs/26/NEST2026_Syllabus.pdf
Fees & Scholarships
- At the time of admission and for the first semester, candidates need to pay ₹24,000. The fee for subsequent semesters is ₹16,000.
- Candidates admitted to the Integrated MSc program are eligible to receive an annual scholarship of ₹60,000 through the DISHA program of the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India. In addition, scholarship recipients receive a grant of ₹20,000 per annum for summer internships.
Eligibility
- Candidates should have at least three out of the four disciplines of basic sciences, namely, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics, in classes XI and XII.
- Must have passed the class XII examination from any recognised Board in India in the year 2024 or 2025 or should be appearing for the same in 2026.
- Candidates in the unreserved category must secure at least 60% marks in aggregate or equivalent grade in class XII examination. For candidates belonging to the SC, ST, and Divyangjan categories, the minimum requirement of marks is relaxed to 55% in class XII examination.
- Candidates satisfying all the above criteria will be considered for admission strictly based on the Merit List of NEST 2026 examination.
Seat Intake
- For the Integrated MSc program 2026–31, the total number of seats at NISER and UM-DAE CEBS are 200 and 57, respectively.
- 27% of seats are reserved for OBC–NCL.
- 15% of seats are reserved for the SC category candidates and 7.5% of seats are reserved for the ST category candidates.
- 5% of seats are reserved in every category, i.e., Unreserved (UR), OBC–NCL, SC and ST for persons with disabilities (Divyangjan)
How to apply
To apply for NEST 2026, candidates must fill out the online application form through www.nestexam.in. The online application process closes on April 06, 2026 (11:30 PM), and any pending payments must be completed by April 13, 2026 (10:00 AM).
Application Fee
- Female applicants, SC/ST/Divyangjan, UR-EWS: ₹700
- Male/Other applicants of UR/OBC category : ₹1,400
Conclusion
NEST 2026 is an excellent opportunity for students aiming to pursue a career in scientific research through top institutions like NISER and UM-DAE CEBS. With strong academic training, early research exposure, and financial support through scholarships, the program offers a solid foundation in basic sciences. Interested candidates should carefully review the eligibility criteria and apply before the deadline to secure their chance at admission.
If you are passionate about science and research, this is your chance. With the application deadline set for April 6, 2026 and the exam scheduled on June 6, 2026, candidates should apply timely.
