• Updated on 16 Dec, 2025 by Souvik Podder
NEST Application Form 2026 will be released on January 5, 2026, at 10 AM. Candidates can complete and submit their applications until April 6, 2026 (11:30 PM). The application fee payment window will remain open until April 12, 2026 (11:30 PM). Applicants who successfully register will have the opportunity to edit or correct their NEST Application Form 2026 between April 13 and April 14, 2026. The NEST 2026 admit card is scheduled for release on May 15, 2026.
NEST 2026 examination will take place on June 6, 2026, from 2 PM to 5 PM. According to the official announcement made on December 15, 2025, all important dates for NEST 2026 have been confirmed. Candidates should make sure to review the eligibility criteria carefully before applying, as the entire application process is to be conducted online.
Table of Contents
- NEST Application Process 2026: Important Dates
- How to Fill Out the NEST Application Form 2026?
- Documents Required For NEST Application Form 2026
- NEST 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Overview
- NEST Application Process 2026: Reset Password
- NEST 2026 Application Form Correction Process
- NEST 2026 Application Process FAQs
NEST Application Form 2026: Important Dates
As per NEST 2026 schedule, students can fill out the application form from January 5, 2026. A correction window will be available for two days, 13 to 14 April 2026, for candidates to make necessary changes. Students can refer to the table below to know all the important dates.
How to Fill Out the NEST Application Form 2026?
To appear for the NEST 2026 Exam, students must first register themselves on the official website at www.nestexam.in. The entire application process is conducted online through the official website of the NEST exam. Students can refer to the following steps to complete the application process.
Step 1: Visit the Official NEST 2026 Website
Students can start the application process by visiting the official NEST 2026 website. All application steps need to be completed online by the students. On the homepage, click on the ‘Online Application’ button to get started.
Important Notes:
- Avoid using the ‘Tab’ key while filling out the form. Students can use their mouse instead.
- Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are mandatory.
- After filling in the details, click the ‘Register’ button to move to the next step.
- Upon successful registration, students' User ID and Password will be sent to their registered email ID and mobile number.
- Recommended browsers for the best experience: Internet Explorer (Version 10 or 11) and Google Chrome (Version 73 to 96)
Step 2: Register for NEST 2026
Students have to provide the below-mentioned information at the time of registration.
- Full Name
- Gender
- Date of Birth
- Mobile Number
- Class 10 Roll Number / Registration Number
Step 3: Filling Out the NEST Application Form
After completing the registration process, students can check their email inbox and click on the verification link sent to their email address. This will open the official website page. The students need to log in to the login page of the official NEST website. Students can use the login credentials received to access the application form. Fill in the following details carefully:
- Nationality
- The student must have a category certificate like General/SC/ST/OBC, etc.
- Present and Permanent Address
- Parent/Guardian Name
- Choice of NEST Exam Centres (up to 5 preferences)
- Academic Details
- Marks/Percentage in the qualifying examination
Step 4: Upload Required Documents
Next, candidates must upload scanned copies of the required documents. The documents should be clear and as per the specified file format and size.
Step 5: Payment of the NEST 2026 Application Fee
Once students have uploaded all the required information and documents, they can proceed to pay the application fee online. The fee can be paid using Net Banking, Credit Card, or Debit Card. Students can refer to the table below for the category-wise fee distribution.
Step 6: Print the NEST 2026 Application Form
After the payment is completed, verify all details in the summary. Submit the application form and download the final copy for future reference. Students should make sure to keep a printed copy of the filled NEST 2026 application form safely, as it may be needed during future stages of the admission process.
Documents Required For NEST Application Form 2026
To complete the NEST 2026 application process, students were required to have the documents ready in the correct format for uploading. Mentioned below is the list of required documents that are needed while filling out the NEST application form:
- Class 10 passing certificate
- Class 12 passing certificate
- Recent passport-sized photo (JPG/JPEG, max 200 KB)
- Scanned signature of the student (JPG/JPEG, max 200 KB)
- Category certificate (if applicable)
- PwD certificate (if applicable)
- Students need to have a valid photo ID proof (for reference)
NEST Eligibility Criteria 2026
Students should NEST 2026 Eligibility Criteria before applying for the exam. Students can refer to the table below to know the eligibility criteria for the NEST exam.
NEST Application Process 2026: Reset Password
If students forget their login credentials during the NEST 2026 application process. They don’t need to worry; students can easily reset their passwords through the official website. Students can follow the steps below to recover access to their account and continue with their application:
- Students can go to the official website of NEST 2026 and log in.
- Click on the “Forgot Password” option shown on the profile page.
- Students need to enter their registered mobile number or email ID.
- Students will receive an OTP or reset link via SMS or email.
- Follow the instructions to set a new password.
- Students can log in using their new password to resume the application process.
NEST 2026 Application Form Correction Process
After submitting the application form, there is a chance that students have made a mistake. The correction window provides a chance for students to correct the application mistakes they made. The NEST application correction window will open for two days from 13 April to 14 April 2026. No application fees are charged for making corrections in the NEST application forum. Students can correct by following the steps below.
- Students have to log in through the official website by providing their ID and password.
- Students can only edit Contact details (e.g., address), Category, and PwD status, Exam centre preferences, Educational details (Class 10 & 12 marks, board, year), and Uploaded photo and signature, if the original was unclear.
- After all the corrections, students have to submit the correct application form.
- Save the application forum as well for future reference.
NEST 2026 Application Process FAQs
When will the NEST 2026 application form be released?
The NEST 2026 application form will be available online starting January 5, 2026, at 10 AM. Candidates can access the form through the official NEST website. It’s advisable to read the instructions and eligibility guidelines carefully before starting the application to avoid mistakes that may lead to form rejection later.
What is the last date to fill the NEST 2026 application form?
Candidates can fill out and submit the NEST 2026 application form until April 6, 2026, up to 11:30 PM. It’s essential to complete all steps of the registration, including uploading documents and paying the fee, before this deadline, as no new registrations or form submissions will be accepted afterwards.
How can candidates pay the NEST 2026 application fee?
The application fee for NEST 2026 can be paid online only, using debit cards, credit cards, UPI, or net banking. The final date for completing fee payment is April 12, 2026, by 11:30 PM. Candidates must ensure successful payment confirmation since incomplete payment will lead to automatic cancellation of the application form.
What are the dates for the NEST 2026 application correction?
The NEST 2026 application correction window will open from April 13 to April 14, 2026. During this period, candidates can rectify errors such as misspelt names, wrong category details, or incorrect educational information. However, only selected fields will be editable, so applicants should double-check the form before submission.
When will the NEST 2026 admit card be released?
The NEST 2026 admit card will be available for download from May 15, 2026, through the official website. Candidates must log in using their registered credentials to access it. The admit card includes exam details, reporting time, centre address, and instructions that must be followed on the examination day.
When will the NEST 2026 exam be conducted?
The NEST 2026 exam is scheduled for June 6, 2026, and will be held from 2 PM to 5 PM in computer-based mode. Candidates should report to their respective centres well in advance. The three-hour test will assess aptitude in science subjects required for admission to NISER and UM-DAE CEBS.
What is the mode of the NEST 2026 application process?
The entire NEST 2026 application process will be conducted online. Candidates need to visit the official website, create an account, fill out the form, upload required documents, and complete the fee payment. No offline submissions will be accepted, and all communication will be done through the registered email ID and dashboard.
What documents are required for the NEST 2026 application?
Applicants must upload scanned copies of a recent passport-size photograph, signature, and valid photo ID proof such as an Aadhaar card, PAN card, or passport. The files must be in the prescribed format and size. It’s vital to ensure clarity in images, as unclear documents may result in rejection during verification.
What are the eligibility criteria for NEST 2026?
To apply for NEST 2026, candidates must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 in 2024 or 2026 with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology. They must have scored at least 60% aggregate (55% for SC/ST/PwD categories). Nationality should be Indian, and only eligible candidates will be issued admit cards.
Can candidates edit their email ID or mobile number after submission?
No, once the NEST 2026 application form is submitted, the email ID and mobile number cannot be modified under any circumstances. These details are used for all communications, including admit card download and result updates. Therefore, candidates must enter correct contact details during registration and verify them before submission.

