KollegeApply logo
KollegeApply logo

NEST Exam Date 2025, Registration (Open), Eligibility, Syllabus, Pattern

Shreya's profile picture

Updated on Mar 04, 2025

Shreya

The NEST Registration 2025 is ongoing at nestexam.in. Candidates can apply till May 9, 2025.  Earlier the authority opened the registration window on February 17, 2025

A correction and update window will be available from May 10 to May 14, 2025. Candidates willing to appear for the exam must participate in NEST 2025 Registration early to avoid any last-minute hazards.

The NEST Exam date is set for Sunday, June 22, 2025. A mock test for NEST will be available from May 16, 2025. Admit cards for the exam can be downloaded starting June 2, 2025.

What is the NEST Exam 2025?

The National Entrance Screening Test or NEST 2025 is a national exam conducted for entrance into integrated MSc programs in NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai. The starting date of its application process would be the third week of March 2025, and its examination would probably take place during the fourth week of June 2025. Eligibility requires candidates to have completed their 10+2 examination in 2023 or 2024 with a minimum of 60% marks (55% for SC/ ST/ PwD) in aggregate from a recognized board.

The exam is a computer-based test (CBT) of 3 hours and 30 minutes duration with five sections, namely General Ability, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics. Candidates must attempt any three of the four subject sections.

The course is based on the syllabus of NCERT classes 11 and 12, which includes the syllabuses of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics.

NEST 2025 Highlights

Here are some of the most crucial details related to the NEST 2025 Exam that the candidates must know if they are preparing for the exam.

Particulars Details
Exam Name National Entrance Screening Test
Conducting Body NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai
Exam Level Undergraduate Exam at the National Level
Exam Frequency Once a Year
Mode of Exam Computer-Based Test (CBT) or Online
Courses Offered Through Entrance Exam Integrated MSc
Exam Fees INR 1,200 (For the male candidates belonging to the General and OBC categories) INR 600 (For the female candidates from all categories and male candidates of SC, ST and PwD categories)
Exam Duration 3 hrs and 30 min
Number of Papers and Total Marks 200
Total Number of Questions 68
Marking Scheme +2.5 for every right response (MCQs) +4 for every right response (MSQs) -1 for every wrong response (MCQs) 0 for wrong answers in MSQs and unattempted questions
Language/Medium of Questions English
Colleges Accepting NEST Scores 3 colleges
Total Number of Seats 257 
Number of Exam Cities 120
Official Website https://www.nestexam.in/#
Contact Details Helpline Number - 022- 61087510  Email id: nest2022cebs@gmail.com

NEST 2025 Important dates

Here is a table summarizing the tentative schedule for NEST 2025:

Month 2025 Event
NEST 2025 Exam Date June 22, 2025 (Sunday)
NEST Online Application Opens February 17, 2025 (Active)
NEST Online Application Closes May 9, 2025
NEST Correction & Update window May 10, 2025, to May 14, 2025
NEST Mock Test Opens May 16, 2025 
NEST Download of Admit Card June 2, 2025 

Who is Eligible for NEST  Exam 2025?

To meet NEST 2025 Exam Eligibility, candidates must have qualified Class 12 or equivalent in 2023 or 2024 from a recognized board. There is no age limit for the exam. Applicants should have studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics, securing at least 60% aggregate marks (55% for SC/ST/PwD). Those appearing in Class 12 in 2025 are also eligible to apply, provided they meet the required criteria.

Criteria Details
Qualification Must have qualified Class 12 or equivalent in 2023 or 2024 from a recognized board.
Age Limit No age limit for appearing in the NEST 2025 exam.
Subjects Must have studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics in the qualifying exam.
Minimum Marks General/OBC: At least 60% aggregate marks; Reserved categories (SC/ST/PWD): 55%.
Appearing Status Candidates appearing in Class 12 in 2025 are also eligible to apply for the exam.

NEST 2025 Application Process

The NEST 2025 exam is scheduled for June 22, 2025 (Sunday). The online application process for NEST 2025 will open on February 17, 2025, and close on May 9, 2025. There will be a correction and update window available from May 10, 2025, to May 14, 2025. A mock test for candidates will be available starting from May 16, 2025. Candidates can download their admit cards from June 2, 2025. Applicants need to stay updated with these dates and complete their applications within the given timeline.

How To Apply for NEST 2025?

Here are the procedures for filling in the NEST 2025 Application for students preparing for the NEST Exam 2025. 

  • The process of application would begin through the official website for the UM DAE CEBS and NISER.
  • Application fees for NEST 2025 can be paid by students using online payment modes like net banking, debit card, and credit card.
  • Also, you are required to submit the NEST Exam 2025 registration fee online because it is not accepted offline.
  • As applicants, they could choose any one of the five most favorable Examination centers for themselves in 2025.
  • Candidates should make sure that the email address and phone number are correct while filling out the application form because the organizing body will use these credentials to contact you.

NEST 2025 Admit Card

NEST 2025 Admit card will be available on 2nd June 2025. The NEST admit card is issued both by the participating universities through an online platform. Even the NEST Exam 2025 Centres are found on the admit card as well based on their preference and saved locations.

The candidates who filled out the NEST 2025 Application Form are the ones who will be getting the admit card to download. The admit card of the students can be downloaded by visiting the official website. Then, by using their logging credentials like Email ID and Password, they can log in and download their admit card. The important details on the admit card are roll number, exam date, signature, name of the student, photograph, exam time, center, and many more.

Note: No students are allowed in the examination hall without the admit card. Hence, students should carry a clear printout hard copy of their NEST 2025 Admit card/ hall ticket along with their original ID on the day of the exam.

The details printed on the admit card should be double-checked by students, and any mistake should be reported to the helpline number or contact detail provided in the admit card. Correction must be done.

How to download the NEST 2025 Admit Card?

Candidates can easily download the NEST 2025 Admit card according to the following steps:

  • Step 1: Students have to log in on the official website of NEST- nestexam.in.
  • Step 2: Now Click on the Download Admit Card and then the login page will appear on the screen
  • Step 3: Students have to fill out the User ID and Password
  • Step 4: After getting logged in, then click on the admit card tab.
  • Step 5: Re-check all the details mentioned on the admit card, then click the download tab. 
  • Step 6: Ensure it is printed on the A4 sheet and carry extra photocopies of the admit card, as it will be required at the time of counseling for NEST and NEST Seat Allotment 2025.

NEST 2025 Exam Pattern

Knowing the pattern of the competitive exam you are preparing for will be really helpful at the time of preparation for the exam and proper preparation. Therefore, here are some important details related to the NEST 2025 Exam pattern.

Category Details
Mode of Exam Online/Computer-based test
Types of Questions Multiple Choice Questions, Multiple Select Questions
Exam Duration 3 hours 30 minutes
Total Marks 200 marks
Total Sections 4 (Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry)

Check out the section-wise pattern for the NEST Exam 2025:

Subject Name  Marks
Physics 50
Chemistry 50
Mathematics 50
Biology 50
Total 200

NEST 2025 Syllabus

The syllabus of NEST 2025 is from the rationalized science syllabus of class 11 and 12 of the CBSE/ NCERT. To know each and every aspect, candidates may visit the subject-wise syllabus for NEST Exam and prepare according to that of NEST 2025.

Subject Name  Important Topics
Biology Diversity in the Living World Structural Organisation in Animals and Plants Cell Structure and Function Plant Physiology Human Physiology
Physics Unit I: Physical World and Measurement Unit II: Kinematics Unit III: Laws of Motion Unit IV: Work, Energy and Power Unit V: Motion of System of Particles and Rigid Body Unit VI: Gravitation Unit VII: Properties of Bulk Matter Unit VIII: Thermodynamics Unit IX: Behaviour of Perfect Gas and Kinetic Theory Unit X: Oscillations and Waves
Chemistry Unit I: Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry Unit II: Structure of Atom Unit III: Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties Unit IV: Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure Unit V: States of Matter: Gases and Liquids Unit VI: Thermodynamics Unit VII: Equilibrium Unit VIII: Redox Reactions Unit IX Hydrogen Unit X: s- Block Elements (Alkali and Alkaline earth metals) Unit XI: Some p-Block Elements Unit XII: Organic Chemistry – Some Basic Principles and Techniques Unit XIII: Hydrocarbons Unit XIV: Environmental Chemistry
Mathematics Class XI UNIT I: SETS AND FUNCTIONS 1. Sets 2. Relations and Functions 3. Trigonometric Functions UNIT II: ALGEBRA 1. Principle of Mathematical Induction 2. Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations 3. Linear Inequalities 4. Permutations and Combinations 5. Binomial Theorem 6. Sequence and Series UNIT III: COORDINATE GEOMETRY 1. Straight Lines 2. Conic Sections 3. Introduction to Three-dimensional Geometry UNIT IV: CALCULUS Limits and Derivatives UNIT V: MATHEMATICAL REASONING UNIT VI: STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY 1. Statistics 2. Probability CLASS XII UNIT I: RELATIONS AND FUNCTIONS 1. Relations and Functions 2. Inverse Trigonometric Functions UNIT II: ALGEBRA 1. Matrices 2. Determinants UNIT III: CALCULUS 1. Continuity and Differentiability 2. Applications of Derivatives 3. Integrals 4. Applications of the Integrals 5. Differential Equations UNIT IV: VECTORS AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL GEOMETRY 1. Vectors 2. Three-dimensional Geometry Unit V: Linear Programming Unit VI: Probability

Note: The frequency of changes in the NEST 2025 Exam Syllabus is very low and therefore, the students appearing for the NEST 2025 Exam have to go through the table so that they get a clue about which are the significant topics that are needed to prepare.

Is NEST Tougher Than NEET?

Both NEST and NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) are competitive exams, but their difficulty levels vary across subjects, syllabus, and exam structure. Let's break it down.

Differences Between NEST 2025 and NEET 2025

NEST (National Entrance Screening Test)

  • Conducted for admission to the 5-year Integrated MSc programs at NISER (Bhubaneswar) and UM-DAE CEBS (Mumbai).
  • Held in June as a computer-based test (CBT) at designated centers.
  • Covers subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology.
  • Candidates can attempt all four sections, but only the best three are considered for the final score.
  • NEST has sectional cut-offs which means candidates must score above the minimum in at least three sections to qualify.

NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test)

  • Conducted for admission into medical colleges across India.
  • A pen-and-paper-based exam is held in offline mode.
  • Focuses on Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
  • All subjects are mandatory; no option to choose preferred sections.
  • Emphasizes rote learning and applying concepts to medical scenarios.
  • No sectional cut-offs—only the overall score matters.

NEST 2025 Vs. NEET 2025

Feature NEST 2025 NEET 2025
Subjects Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Botany + Zoology)
Question Type MCQs (Concept-Based) MCQs (Both Concept-Based & Rote Learning)
Sectional Cut-Off Yes (Must qualify in at least 3 out of 4 sections) No
Total Questions 68 (Best 3 Sections Considered) 200 (180 to be attempted)
Marking Scheme +2.5 / -1 (Single Correct), +4 (Multiple Correct, No Negative) +4, / -1
Exam Mode Computer-Based Pen-and-Paper
Exam Duration 3 hours 30 minutes 3 hours 20 minutes

NEST 2025 is Considered Tougher than NEET 2025: Reasons

Conceptual Depth

  • NEST 2025 questions require a deep understanding of scientific principles beyond simple memorization.
  • NEET 2025, while challenging, has a significant portion of questions based on rote learning.

Problem-Solving Requirement

  • NEST tests multi-step analytical skills and logical reasoning.
  • NEET, although lengthy, mostly focuses on the direct application of concepts.

Mathematics Inclusion

  • NEST includes Mathematics, which is not required for NEET.

Note: This makes NEST particularly challenging for Biology students, as they need to tackle Math-based problems.

Competition & Time Pressure

  • NEET has higher competition due to the massive number of applicants.
  • NEST is a race against time, with 200 questions in 3 hours and 20 minutes.

NEST is generally considered tougher than NEET due to its conceptual and problem-solving focus. NEET is highly competitive, requiring fast decision-making under time constraints. If candidates are from a Biology background, preparing for Mathematics in NEST can be challenging but manageable with proper strategy.

How to Prepare for NEST 2025?

If candidates are preparing for NEET 2025 but also planning to take NEST 2025, consider these additional strategies:

Mathematics Preparation for Biology Students

  • Read "A Mind for Numbers" by Barbara Oakley to build confidence in Math.
  • Cover the NCERT syllabus for basic conceptual clarity.
  • Use reference books like Cengage or the Arihant series for advanced problem-solving.
  • Practice previous years’ question papers (PYQs) and solve at least 3-5 Math problems daily.
  • Focus on developing logical and analytical thinking rather than memorization.

General Tips for NEST Exam 2025 Preparation

  • Focus on understanding concepts rather than rote memorization.
  • Practice multi-step logical reasoning questions.
  • Work on time management by attempting mock tests.
  • Ensure minimum qualifying marks in at least three sections to be eligible for admission.
    Also Check: NEET 2025 Exam Pattern

NEST 2025 Answer Key

Once the NEST 2025 answer key is released, it will be sent to the registered email addresses of the candidates along with their answer scripts.

Candidates will check the correct answer with the answer key, calculate the estimated score, and determine the chances of getting admission to any of the participating institutes under NEST. The candidates need to raise objections against one or more NEST 2025 answer keys. Fees or charges for raising objections against the provisional answer key are not to be paid by the test-takers. The answer key of NEST 2025 comprises the correct options for each section, i.e., Physics, Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics in the same PDF file only. Direct link to see answer key is below- 

NEST 2025 Results

NEST 2025 Results will be declared in the second week of July 2025, as per the expected dates. The NEST merit list/ result comprises the candidate's roll number and candidates qualifying for the entrance exam of the integrated MSc. Candidates will have to input their login credentials to download their Scorecards of NEST 2025. NEST scorecard contains details related to sectional as well as the overall scores along with the Percentile and AIR. It is advisable for candidates to keep their scorecards safe until the NEST 2025 admission process is over.

How to Check NEST 2025 Result

Applicants must follow the given steps to check NEST 2025 Results:

  • Open the official website (Link will be provided above).
  • Click on “NEST 2025 Result” link.
  • A new page will be displayed on the screen.
  • Now, fill in your Roll Number OR Application Number & Date of Birth.
  • Then, click on the “Go” button.
  • Check your result.
  • Take a print copy of the NEST 2025 result for future use.

NEST 2025 Cutoff

CEBS Mumbai and NISER Bhubaneswar will release the NEST 2025 cut-off marks based on the sessions, subjects, and categories. The NEST 2025 cutoff will be released on the official site in two categories: Section-wise Minimum Admissible Score (SMAS), which leads to the sectional cutoff, and Minimum Acceptable Percentile (MAP), or overall percentile.

For each of the sections, 20% of the best 100 mean scores in the section will form SMAS for that section only, according to the officials. SMAS taken for different sections can be from different numerical figures. In addition to the cutoff of sectional NEST, candidates should also clear the overall NEST 2025 cutoff percentile. For the general category candidates, the NEST 2025 cutoff will be 95 percent. For OBC candidates, the cutoff is 90 percent. For those who belong to the reserved category, the cutoff will be 75 percent. However, numbers are based on the NEST cutoff analysis for last year. 

NEST 2025 Cut off For NISER & CBES (Shift wise)

Applicants who want to appear in the NEST exam can check the cutoff for both NISER & CBES mentioned below 

Category Shift-1
Sub: Biology Chemistry Mathematics Physics
General/ EWS 9.29473684 8.198 6.358 5.534
OBC-NCL 8.36526315 7.3782 5.7222 4.9806
SC/ ST/ PwD/ JK 4.64736842 4.099 3.179 2.767
Category Shift-2
Sub: Biology Chemistry Mathematics Physics
General/EWS 8.054 8.504 6.824 6.10105263
OBC-NCL 7.2486 7.6536 6.1416 5.49094736
SC/ST/PwD/JK 4.027 4.252 3.412 3.05052631

Factors affecting NEST 2025 Cutoff

Various factors are taken into consideration to decide the NEST cutoff marks, it is mentioned below:

  • Total no of applicants appeared in the NEST exam
  • Difficulty level of the exam. 
  • The cut-off marks i.e. SMAS will vary for each section as well as MAP for NISER and CEBS. 
  • For NISER, candidates should score equal to and above MAP and in SMAS in the General section and all four sections to secure a rank in the merit list.
  • For CEBS, candidates should score equal to and above MAP and in SMAS in the General section and any three of the subject sections to secure a rank in the merit list.

NEST 2025 Counselling process

The UG First Round of Counselling apart from BVSC and AH has been released on the official website. Candidates can access the website or simply download it here.

UG (Apart from BVSC and AH) First Round of Counselling

All shortlisted candidates will be provided with seats in their respective courses at NISER and CEBS as per their respective merit lists. It may be noted that there is no joint counselling for the NEST exam. The process for NEST counselling is as mentioned below:

  • All eligible applicants must first enroll themselves on the web counseling portal of the exam/ institutes. Subsequently, applicants are required to download and then print forms that include Student Personal Details undertaken by the student and parent/ guardian, Student Medical History, and Format of Affidavit [anti-ragging] by the Student and Parent/ Guardian.
  • The first round of counselling will be continued till all the seats get occupied or the revised merit list is exhausted, which is the earlier of the two.
  • After NEST counseling round 1, every participating institute prepares its waiting list.
  • Admission of candidates whose names feature on the waiting list is carried out through the second round of counseling.
  • The second counseling is not joint counseling.
  • In the counseling session, attendance of all candidates present at all the venues is taken into consideration. On the basis of attendance of candidates and the original merit list declared earlier, a modified merit list is prepared. Seats are allotted to candidates at NISER and CBS strictly based on the modified list.

Frequently Asked Question

What is NEST 2025?

NEST 2025, or the National Entrance Screening Test, is a national-level entrance exam for admission into the integrated MSc programs at NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai.

What are the eligibility criteria for NEST 2025?

Candidates must have completed their Class 12 in 2023 or 2024 with a minimum of 60% aggregate marks (55% for SC/ST/PwD) in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, or Biology. Students appearing for Class 12 in 2025 are also eligible.

When will the NEST 2025 application process start?

The NEST 2025 application process is expected to begin on the 17th february 2025.

What is the exam pattern for NEST 2025?

The exam is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) of 3 hours and 30 minutes. It consists of four sections: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics. Candidates must attempt three of these four sections.

What is the syllabus for NEST 2025?

The syllabus is based on the NCERT curriculum for Classes 11 and 12, covering topics in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics.

What is the application fee for NEST 2025?

The application fee is INR 1,200 for General and OBC male candidates and INR 600 for female candidates (all categories) and male candidates belonging to SC, ST, and PwD categories.

When will the NEST 2025 admit card be released?

The admit card is expected to be available in the 2nd June 2025 on the official website.

How can I download my NEST 2025 result?

Visit the official website, log in with your Roll Number or Application Number and Date of Birth, and download your result. The result is expected to be released in the second week of July 2025.

What is the marking scheme for NEST 2025?

Ans. MCQs: +2.5 for correct answers, -1 for incorrect answers, MSQs: +4 for correct answers, no negative marking for incorrect answers or unattempted questions.

Exam Dates

DateEvent
Feb 17, 2025Registration
May 22, 2025Exam Date

How would you rate your experience with this page up to now?

😣

😕

😊

😎

😍

Upcoming Exams

Birla Institute of Technology and Science Adm... (BITSAT)

Exam Date

Dec 01, 2024

Last Date

Nov 15, 2024

Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE MAINS)

Exam Date

Dec 10, 2024

Last Date

Nov 20, 2024

Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE-2025)

Exam Date

Feb 05, 2025

Last Date

Jan 15, 2025

View All Exams
KollegeApply logo

Discover Excellence: Latest Updates on India's Leading Colleges,  Admissions, and Exam News

Built in India

india

© 2025 INDO INTERNET PRIVATE LIMITED