NEST Eligibility Criteria 2026: Admission and Reservation Details for Integrated MSc Program

NEST Eligibility Criteria 2026 are used to determine the academic requirements, subject requirements, minimum marks, and reservation procedures to accept applications in the Integrated MSc programme 2026-31 of NISER Bhubaneswar and UM DAE CEBS Mumbai. Applicants aiming to take the National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) 2026 must consider all the conditions of eligibility since it is only on merit and document checking that the admission is given. The NEST registration 2026 has started from January 5, 2026, and will continue till April 6, 2026. The NEST admit card will be released on May 15, 2026, on the official site of the NEST. The NEST Exam 2026 will be conducted on June 6, 2026, and it will also be performed in other cities in India.

NEST Eligibility Criteria 2026: Highlights

For the NEST 2026 exam, applicants must have passed Class 12 in 2024 or 2025, or be appearing for Class 12 in 2026. They should have studied at least three subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics. A minimum of 60% marks is required (55% for SC/ST/Divyangjan candidates). There is no age limit. Admission will be based on the NEST 2026 merit list.

Also Check: NEST Application Process 2026

NEST Eligibility Criteria 2026: Academic Qualification

The applicants who want to be enrolled on the Integrated MSc program 2026 must have successfully passed or appeared in the Class XII examination through a recognised board in India.The applicants are to have completed Class XII in 2024 or 2025, or have to take the Class XII examination in 2026. Applicants appearing in 2026 must meet all eligibility conditions at the time of admission. The Class 12 certificate or provisional certificate must be issued by one recognised board and should clearly show the total marks. Certificates from more than one board will not be accepted.

NEST Exam 2026: Subject Requirements in Classes XI and XII

To get admission through NEST 2026, a candidate must have studied basic science subjects in a higher secondary school. Students must have studied at least three subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics in Classes 11 and 12. If a student does not meet this subject requirement, they will not be eligible for admission to NISER or UM-DAE CEBS.

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Mathematics
• Physics

NEST Exam 2026: Minimum Marks Required

To be eligible for admission, candidates must have the minimum required total marks in the Class 12 exam. If the Class 12 result is given only as grades, the candidate must submit an official certificate from the board showing the equivalent percentage of marks. If this certificate is not provided, the final decision will be taken by the institution’s admission committee.

• A candidate in the unreserved category has to have a minimum of 60% aggregate marks or an equivalent grade.
• SC, ST and Divyangjan candidates are entitled to relaxation, and they should also achieve a minimum of 55% aggregate marks or an equivalent grade.

NEST Exam 2026: Merit List

Applicants who meet all the eligibility rules will be considered for admission only based on the NEST 2026 merit list. The merit list is prepared according to the official information brochure. Just meeting the eligibility conditions does not guarantee admission. Admission is given only to candidates who qualify in the merit list, and offers depend on their rank and the availability of seats.

• Rank secured in NEST 2026
• Availability of seats
• Category-wise reservation norms

Reservation of Seats in NEST 2026 Integrated MSc Programme

NEST 2026 follows the Government of India reservation rules for admission to the Integrated MSc programme (2026) at NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai. Reservation benefits are given only to candidates who meet the category requirements and show valid documents during admission. There are 200 seats available at NISER and 57 seats at UM-DAE CEBS, and these seats are filled according to the central government reservation rules.

NEST Exam 2026: Category-wise Reservation

NISER and UM -DAE CEBS have reservations that are under the rules of the Government of India.The degree of reservation by categories is given below:

Also Check: NEST Exam Pattern 2026

NEST Eligibility Criteria 2026 FAQs