NEST 2025 applications opened online on February 17, 2025. The official brochure originally set May 9 as the last date to apply, but later news reports said the deadline was extended to May 13, 2025. Both dates have passed; applications are not open in 2026.
What NEST is and which programs it leads to
The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) is the common entrance examination for admission to the five-year Integrated MSc programs at the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar, and the UM-DAE Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (CEBS), Mumbai. See the official NEST website for current-cycle information.
NEST 2025 application and exam dates
| Event | NEST 2025 date | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Online applications opened | February 17, 2025 | Listed in the official 2025 brochure. |
| Original application deadline | May 9, 2025 | Listed in the official 2025 brochure. |
| Reported extended deadline | May 13, 2025 | Reported by Scroll.in; an archived official extension notice was not located. |
| Admit-card downloads began | June 2, 2025 | Listed in the official 2025 brochure. |
| Examination | June 22, 2025 | Scheduled date in the official 2025 brochure. |
The dates describe the 2025 cycle, not a current application window. For the active cycle, check the dates and instructions published on the official NEST website.
How the 2025 exam was structured
The 2025 brochure described a computer-based test with four objective sections: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. NEST prepared the merit list using a candidate’s best three section scores out of the four. The brochure is available through the official NEST site.
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Preparation references for future applicants
The official site says the syllabus primarily follows CBSE curriculum and NCERT material for Classes XI and XII across Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. It also provides previous NEST questions and links to free NCERT textbook downloads. These are useful starting points, but the current syllabus and instructions should be checked for the cycle you plan to take.
Quick Recap
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- Start with the syllabus: Use the official subject-wise syllabus to identify the topics and scope for your exam cycle.
- Use NCERT material: The linked free downloads mean printed NCERT Class 11 and 12 science textbooks are optional; they may be convenient, but purchasing them is not required to access the official downloads.
- Practice with past questions: The official archive can help you become familiar with previous question styles. Check the current site for the available papers and any accompanying instructions.
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