The Ultimate Guide to NEST 2024: Syllabus, Eligibility, and Application Process

The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) serves as a mandatory nationwide entrance examination conducted by two prestigious institutions: NISER in Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS in Mumbai.

NEST is an annual online examination for admission into Integrated MSc programs covering Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics.

Those individuals who fulfill the eligibility requirements for NEST 2024 as defined by NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS will participate in the National Entrance Screening Test (NEST). Candidates failing to satisfy the NEST 2024 eligibility criteria will have their candidacy revoked by the governing authorities.

• Educational Background - You should have completed classes 11 and 12 from the regular science stream. Writing the NEST 2024 examination is mandatory for all applicants. You must have passed the class 12 examination from a recognised Board in India in 2022 or 2023, or you should be appearing for it in 2024. If you're appearing for the board examination in 2024, ensure you pass it before the program's admission.
• Academic Performance - To be eligible for admission, you need to secure a minimum of 60% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade in the class 12 examination. For candidates from scheduled castes (SC), scheduled tribes (ST), and Divyangjan categories, the minimum requirement is relaxed to 55%.
• Grading System - If your marks are in letter grades, you must obtain a certificate from the concerned Board specifying the equivalent percentage of marks.
• Age Limit - There is no age limit for appearing in the NEST 2024 examination or seeking admission to NISER or UM-DAE CEBS.

The syllabus for NEST 2024 aligns with the rationalised science syllabus (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics) of classes 11 and 12 according to NCERT guidelines. Below are the subjects and chapters outlined for each field:

The NEST 2024 examination is scheduled to take place at various centers across India on June 30, 2024. Candidates will be assigned to either the morning session from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM or the afternoon session from 2:30 PM to 6:00 PM. Following the examination, the Merit List will be compiled based on candidates' performance. This list will be published on the NEST 2024 website by 10 July 2024, allowing candidates to check their results and see where they stand.

• The question paper will have 4 sections, each focusing on Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics. Each section carries 60 marks with 20 objective (MCQ) type questions.
• Correct answers earn 3 marks, incorrect choices result in a deduction of 1 mark, and unanswered questions carry no penalty.
• Candidates are encouraged to attempt all sections as the best three scores out of four will be considered for the merit list. The lowest-scoring section will be disregarded.
• The merit list will be based on scores out of 180 marks.
• The question paper will be available in Hindi and English, with English being considered the standard in case of any language-related confusion or discrepancy.
• The examination is a Computer Based Test (CBT).
• Candidates will enter all details at the computer terminal and answer questions using the electronic equipment provided.
• Mock test links will be available on the NEST 2024 website before the exam date for practice.
• Practise sessions on CBT will be accessible on the application portal after online registration and submission of the application.
• Only correct login credentials will grant access to the application portal.

• Candidates must arrive at the test venue at least 90 minutes before the exam starts.
• The exam lasts for 3 hours and 30 minutes, starting at 9:00 AM for the first session and 2:30 PM for the second session.
• No entry is permitted after 9:30 AM and 3:00 PM for the respective sessions.
• Candidates can only leave the hall after 11:00 AM and 4:30 PM for the respective sessions, unless on medical grounds.
• Log tables and calculators are not allowed. Candidates can bring their own pens but cannot share them.
• Candidates must bring their Admit Card and a photo ID issued by the government.
• Any unfair behaviour will result in immediate expulsion.
• Mobile phones and electronic gadgets are strictly prohibited inside the examination hall.

• Divyangjan category candidates are eligible for 20 minutes extra per hour of examination duration.
• Candidates needing scribes should bring them according to government guidelines to the exam venue.

Candidates must fill out the online application form on www.nestexam.in tentatively starting from 20 March, 2024. The application window closes on May 31, 2024, at midnight. Applications are accepted only through the NEST 2024 website. Upon online registration, login credentials for application submission and fee payment portals will be provided.

The application fee is Rs. 1,400 for male candidates of the General and OBC categories and Rs. 700 for candidates in the SC/ST/Divyangjan categories and all female candidates. Payments can be made online using Credit Card, Debit Card, or Net Banking through an online payment gateway. Only Mastercard, Visa, and RuPay cards are accepted. No documents need to be sent to the NEST office during the application process.

Admit Card: 

The admit card for NEST 2024 can be downloaded from June 10, 2024, onwards. Admit cards will not be sent via mail. Applicants must log in to the NEST website to download their admit cards. The download link will be available until the day of the examination.

• Provide a correct email address for communication from the NEST office.
• Use an accessible phone number, as the NEST office may contact you via SMS.
• Upload a recent passport-sized photograph and a scanned, cropped signature. Both files should be in JPG or JPEG format and not exceed 80 KB each.
• Ensure all application fields are completed; incomplete applications will not be accepted.
• Any disputes regarding the NEST 2024 examination will be handled by the Bombay High Court.

For more details on NEST, such as reservations, merit lists, cutoffs, and additional information, please consult the NEST brochure for the year 2024.