The National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar, alongside the University of Mumbai - Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-DAE CEBS), has officially announced the NEST 2026 Results on June 24, 2026.
Thousands of candidates who appeared for the National Entrance Screening Test aiming for a seat in the prestigious 5-year Integrated M.Sc. program can now view their qualifying status.
While the initial result status is live, the official, downloadable rank scorecards will be available on the portal starting June 30, 2026, at 2:00 PM. Read on for the step-by-step download guide, minimum cutoff metrics, and what comes next in the counseling process.
How to Check Your NEST 2026 Result
Candidates can access their results directly on the official portal by using their unique login credentials. Follow these steps:
1.Go to the Portal:Step 1.Visit the official NEST website at nestexam.in.
2.Access Login:Step 2.Click on the "NEST 2026 Result/Login" link on the homepage.
3.Enter Credentials:Step 3.Provide your User ID (Application Number) and Password. Enter the captcha code shown on the screen.
4.View and Save:Step 4.Click "Search" or "Submit". Your result status will be displayed. Save the details for your records until scorecards are downloadable.
Understanding the NEST Evaluation: SMAS and MAP
The NEST merit list calculation is unique. Scores are formulated based on the best three sections among Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology. To qualify for the merit list, candidates must clear two distinct cutoff criteria:
- Section-wise Minimum Admissible Score (SMAS): You must secure a minimum score in individual subject sections to be considered. Failing to hit the SMAS in a section means disqualification from that section's evaluation.
- Minimum Admissible Percentile (MAP): This is the overall aggregate percentile cutoff required to find a place in the rank list.
Official NEST 2026 MAP Cutoffs
CategoryMAP Score RequirementGeneral / EWS / OBC80 PercentileGeneral / EWS / OBC (Divyang)40 PercentileSC / ST75 PercentileSC / ST (Divyang)40 Percentile
NISER & CEBS Seat Matrix 2026
Securing a spot in these premium institutions is highly competitive due to limited seat availability. Here is the official intake capacity for the academic year:
CategoryNISER Bhubaneswar IntakeUM-DAE CEBS Mumbai IntakeUnreserved (UR)101 seats23 seatsOBC - NCL54 seats15 seatsSC30 seats09 seatsST15 seats04 seatsEWS0 seats06 seatsSupernumerary (JK/Ladakh)02 seats02 seatsTotal Seats20259
Note: A 5% to 10% horizontal reservation is applied for PwD/Divyangjan applicants within their respective categories across both institutions.
What Happens Next?
- June 30, 2026 (2:00 PM): Official scorecard download link will be activated at
nestexam.in. Ensure you download and print this, as it is a mandatory document for offline verification. - July 2026: Online registration for the official NEST counseling rounds will commence. NISER and CEBS will release separate joint and institutional merit lists for physical counseling rounds.
Documents to Gather Immediately
Keep the following documents handy for the upcoming reporting process:
- Printed NEST 2026 Scorecard
- Class 10 Certificate & Class 12 Mark sheet
- Category/Caste Certificate (if applicable)
- Passport size photographs
- Government-issued ID Proof (Aadhaar, etc.)
- Did you clear the SMAS cutoffs for your chosen subjects? Let us know your estimated percentiles or any doubts regarding the choice between NISER and CEBS in the comments below!
