Initially, let’s know about NEST. The NEST [National Entrance Screening Test] is an annual college entrance examination in India. It is conducted for admission into the national institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneshwar [NISER] and Centre for Excellence in Basic Science, [UM-DAE CEBS], Mumbai.

In 2021, the exam will be held on 14th June 2021. It is for the students who wish to seek admission in a 5-year integrated MSc programmed in Biological, Mathematical, chemical, and physical Science provided by the participating institutes. The exam is conducted in both English and Hindi language.

  • The syllabus pattern for the NEST exam is:
  • General section aptitude (marks:30)
  • Biology (marks: 50)
  • Chemistry-Physical chemistry (marks: 50)
  • Chemistry-Inorganic chemistry (marks: 50)
  • Chemistry-Organic chemistry (marks:50)
  • Mathematics (marks: 50)
  • Physics (marks: 50)

The detailed syllabus is here

IS NEST EXAM TOUGH?

Many people say it is hard to prepare for the NEST exam. But the difficulty level is moderate. There are questions based on modern topics and current affairs. One has to give full attention and importance to each topic of the syllabus to crack the exam successfully. According to 2018, NISER and UM-DAE set the intake of 200+2 students and 45+2 students respectively. Extra 2 seats are reserved for students belonging to Jammu and Kashmir.

(MAS) The minimum admissible score for 2020 was 50% of the total marks (180). Students must have referred NCERT textbook of chemistry for class 11th and 12th. The list of other reference books is available on

The last date for registration is extended till May 10, 2021, in view of rising COVID-19 cases in the state. The official notice is available on the official website of NEST. The application link is now activated now on that site, students need to submit the application online before the last date. Admit cards for the exams will be released on 30 May 2021. According to the schedule, NEST 2021 will be conducted on 14th June 2021. The result for the same exam is expecting on 30th June 2021.

Codes for the Centre for the exam are as shown below:

National Entrance Screening Test