National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) is an All India Level Entrance test for candidates who are seeking an admission to National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar and University of Mumbai - Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-DAE CBS), Mumbai. Both NISER and UM-DAE CBS were set up by Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India in 2007.NISER established by the Department of Atomic Energy, strives to become a citadel for basic sciences and allied subjects in terms of teaching and research.
Educational Qualification – Candidates seeking admission to NISER and UM-DAE CBS for the academic session 2017-16 should be from science stream (having any combination of Biology/ Chemistry/ Mathematics/ Physics) at class XII and must write the NEST 2017 examination. Admission will be offered strictly on the basis of Merit List of NEST 2017. Candidates securing at least 60% marks in aggregate or equivalent grade in class XII examination will be eligible for admission to NISER and CBS. However, there is no restriction on appearing for NEST. For candidates belonging to scheduled castes(SC), scheduled tribes(ST) and physical disabilities (PD) categories, the minimum requirement of marks is 55% in aggregate.
Age– General and OBC category can didates born on or after July 15, 1995 are eligible for admission to the integrated M.Sc. programme of NISER/CBS. The age limit is relaxed by 5 years for SC/ST/PD candidates. However, there is no restriction on appearing for NEST 2017.
For the academic session 2017-18, the total number of seats at NISER and CBS are 100+2 and 45+2, respectively. Two seats in each institution are reserved for candidates from the state of J&K. To avail the J&K quota Domicile Certificate is needed to be furnished during counseling.The number of seats reserved for SC, ST, OBC(Non-Creamy-Layer) and PD is according to the Government of India norm. To claim seats under reserved category, relevant documents must be furnished at the time of admission.
To apply for NEST 2017, candidates can fill-up application form using either online (preferable) or offline mode. For online application, candidates should visit www.nestexam.in . Candidates are strongly advised to read through the detailed online application procedure available on the website. Off-line application is to be filled on a prescribed form, which is available from the NEST office on payment (through DD only: refer ‘Mode of payment’ below) of the required application fee listed below.The request for the application form along with the demand draft (DD)must reach the NEST office.
Application Fee– The application fee for the male candidates of General/OBC category is ₹700. The application fee for SC/ST/PD categories and all female candidates is ₹350. For off-line applications the fee should be paid by DD only. For online applications, it can be paid by using credit card/debit card/net-banking through ‘State Bank Collect’ online payment portal or by DD.For offline applications, please add ₹50 as postal charges to the application fees mentioned above.
Admit cards will not be dispatched for online applicants. Such applicants must download their admit cards from NEST website (after login). Admit cards will be sent by post to the mailing address of the offline candidates. It is, therefore, important that the postal address with pin code in offline paper application form be clearly and correctly written.
Requests for off-line application form+Demand Draft, completed off-line application form and any NEST-2017 related queries by postal mail must be sent at – The Chief Coordinator, NEST 2017,NISER, Institute of Physics Campus,Sachivalaya Marg, Sainik School (PO),Bhubaneswar –751 005, Odisha.