NEST 2023 (National Entrance Screening Test) is conducted every year by the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar, and the Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (CBS), Mumbai University. NEST 2023 Application Form will be released tentatively in the month of February 2023. Candidates can fill in their NEST Application Form till May 2023.
- Candidates who passed XII Class in the science stream from a recognized board in either 2021 or 2022 are eligible to apply. Those who are appearing in 2023 can also apply.
- It is imperative that all candidates have three subjects – Biology, Mathematics, Chemistry, and Physics in Class 11 and 12. Check NEST 2023 Exam Pattern
- Candidates must have passed with a minimum of 60% aggregate (55% for reserved categories) in their 12th examination. Read NEST Reservation Criteria
NEST 2023 Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for NEST 2023 is stipulated by the exam conducting authority. Candidates can check below the educational qualification, age limit, etc. for NEST 2023.
Educational Qualifications
For General Candidates
- Candidates should have passed the class 12th Examination or any equivalent examination from any recognized Board in India in 2021 or 2022.
- Those who appeared for the Class 12th Examination in 2023 are also eligible to apply for NEST 2023.
- Applicant must have studied Science with the combination of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics.
- Candidates must have secured at least 60% marks in aggregate or equivalent grade in class 12th exam
For Reserved Category Candidates
- Candidates who have secured at least 55% marks in aggregate or equivalent grade in class XII examination will be eligible for admission to NISER and CBS. But there is no restriction regarding aggregate marks on appearing for NEST 2023 exam.
- Candidates looking to apply for NEST 2023 should have completed Class 12th Examination or any equivalent examination from any recognized Board in India in 2021 or 2022.
- Candidates who appeared for the Class 12th Examination in 2023 also meet the eligibility requirement for NEST.
- The subject combination for Class 12th would be the same as that for general candidates.
Age Limit
For General and OBC Candidates
For admission into the integrated M.Sc. program of NISER/CBS, candidates must be born on or after August 1, 2002. For SC/ST/PD Candidates, there is a relaxation of 5 years. There is no upper age limit. Also, there is no restriction on the number of times a candidate can appear for NEST 2023.
NEST 2020 Reservation
NEST 2023 Reservation Criteria
Out of the total number of seats in both NISER and CBS, there is a certain percentage of seats that are reserved for the reserved category candidates. The categories acknowledged by NISER and CBS for admission are as follows:
- Other Backward Classes belonging to the Non-Creamy Layer (OBC–NCL)
- Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST)
- Person with Disabilities
- Supernumerary Quota for students from Jammu and Kashmir
| Category | NISER | CBS |
|---|---|---|
| General | 101 | 23 |
| SC | 15 | 3 |
| ST | 30 | 7 |
| OBC NCL | 54 | 12 |
| PwD | 3% of each category | 3% of each category |
| Supernumary | 2 | 2 |
| Total | 202 | 47 |
Other Backward Classes belonging to the Non-Creamy Layer (OBC–NCL)
About 27% of seats are reserved for OBC-NCL Candidates can check the central list of OBCs classes on the official website. Note that candidates belonging to the creamy layer of OBC are not entitled to any reservation and will be treated as belonging to General (unreserved) category Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC)’.
These Classes as notified by some state governments are not eligible for any reservation unless they belong to the OBC-NCL category.
Scheduled Caste (SC)/Scheduled Tribe (ST)
The total percentage of seats reserved for SC/ST candidates is 15% seats for SC and 7.5% for ST. Note that only those candidates will fall under this category whose caste and tribes are mentioned in the list published by the Government of India.
Person with Disabilities
3% seats in General, OBC-NCL and SC/ST categories are reserved for PD Candidates.
Applicants who have at least 40% impairment irrespective of the type of disability - locomotor, visual or dyslexic, or Leprosy- cured candidates who are otherwise fit to pursue the course are eligible to apply for NEST 2023 under this category.
Supernumerary Quota for students from Jammu and Kashmir
NISER and CBS has one seat each for applicants under this category.
To be eligible for this category, candidates must be belonging to Jammu & Kashmir.
They must have completed Class 12th or equivalent exam through the State Board of Jammu & Kashmir and from Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) affiliated schools located in Jammu & Kashmir.
Check NEST Reservation
NEST 2020 Seat Intake
NEST 2023 Seat Intake
The Number of Seats available in NISER and CBS for admission in the year 2023 can be seen in the following table:
| Category | NISER | CBS |
|---|---|---|
| General | 101 | 23 |
| Supernumerary: J&K | 2 | 2 |
| OBC | 54 | 15 |
| SC | 30 | 9 |
| ST | 15 | 4 |
| PD (part of other categories) | 5% of seats in each category | 5% of seats in each category |
Check NEST Seat Intake
If the required number of seats remains unfilled in the OBC-NCL category, they will be allotted to General category candidates. On the other hand, vacant seats under the SC and ST categories will not be allotted to candidates of other categories. The seat reservation for PD candidates is horizontal and hence, unfilled seats will be allotted to candidates belonging to the respective categories. For Example, unfilled SC (PD) seats will be allotted to candidates belonging to the SC category and so on.
NEST Required Documents
Required Documents
If selected, every candidate, irrespective of any category, has to obtain a certain set of Documents at the time of admission. Despite these candidates clearing the NEST 2023, if the candidate fails to produce original documents during the admission and counseling process, the admission of the candidate will be rejected.
For General Candidates
- Candidate has to carry all original documents and sufficient photocopies.
- Documents such as Birth Certificate, Class 10th Mark sheet, Class 12th Mark sheet, Passport Size photographs, etc.
- If the candidate has only letter grades then, a certificate from the Board specifying the equivalent percentage of marks is required. This is compulsory or else the admission will not be done.
Check Document Required During NEST Counselling
For Reserved Categories
- To claim seats under reserved category, it is crucial that relevant documents must be furnished at the time of admission.
- OBC candidates must have the OBC (NCL) certificate issued on or after June 01, 2023.
- SC/ST and Jammu and Kashmir candidates are also required to have the SC/ST certificate (for SC/ST) and Original Certificates (Jammu and Kashmir candidates) to reserve seats under their category.
- Candidates under PD category are required to have the Medical Certificate issued according to the latest guidelines of the Government of India.
- Apart from the Category Certificates, Candidates will also be required to furnish documents such as Birth Certificates, Class 10th Mark sheet, Class 12th Mark sheet, Passport Size photographs at the time of counseling and admission.
Check NEST Reservation
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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