NEST 2026 registration deadline extended to April 8 for five-year integrated MSc admissions

The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST 2026) registration deadline for five-year integrated MSc admissions has been extended to April 8. Eligible candidates can fill the NEST application form 2026 through the official website at nestexam.in.

As per the NEST 2026 schedule, the MSc admission test will be held on June 6 from 2 pm to 5 pm across 140 exam centres in India. The last date to pay the NEST application fee is April 12, 2026, up to 11:30 pm, and the NEST admit card will be released on May 15, 2026.

After the registration closes, the NEST application form correction window will open on April 17. Candidates will be allowed to edit their application forms till April 18, 11:30 pm.

Earlier, the last date to apply for NEST 2026 was April 6, but it has now been extended.

Also read TS EAMCET 2026 application correction facility opens at eapcet.tgche.ac.in; make changes by April 8

NEST 2026 eligibility criteria, fees

To complete the NEST 2026 application form, male, unreserved, and OBC category candidates will be required to pay an application fee of Rs 1,400, and female, SC, ST, PwD, and unreserved-EWS candidates will have to pay Rs 700.

Candidates who have passed the Class 12 examination with a minimum of 60% marks (55% for SC and ST) from any recognised board are eligible to apply for NEST 2026.

Candidates should have studied at least three of the four basic science disciplines—Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics—in Classes 11 and 12.

NEST 2026 exam schedule

Below is the complete schedule of the NEST exam 2026.

The NEST entrance exam will be conducted for admission to the five-year integrated MSc programmes in physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics at the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) and University of Mumbai - Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-DAE CEBS).