With the admission season arriving soon in the country, the student community is all set to sit for different entrance examinations. Putting their entire dedication and commitment, they are resolute to get into their desired courses which will eventually help them to select their respective desired career paths. For students aspiring to get admission to 5-year Integrated MSc Program in Basic Sciences – Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics in National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) Bhubaneswar and University of Mumbai - Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-DAE CEBS), Mumbai are asked to clear the National Entrance Screening Test (NEST). In this article, we will be talking about NEST 2019 in details.

About NEST

 Both NISER and UM-DAE CEBS were set up by Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India in 2007 and NEST conducted by these two institutions jointly every year. Their mandate is to train scientific manpower for carrying out cutting edge scientific research and for providing input to scientific programmes of Department of Atomic Energy and other applied science institutions in the country. These two institutes use NEST as a sole criterion for admission to their undergraduate programs. Also, the Integrated Science Education & Research Centre (ISERC) of Visva-Bharati University has been using the merit list of NEST for admission into its undergraduate program. NEST will be conducted in 91 cities across India in 2019. NEST is conducted in both English as well as the Hindi language.

Eligibility                               

Candidates must have secured minimum 60 % for General category and minimum 55 % for SC, ST, and PD category for appearing NEST and the candidates in General and OBC category should be born on or after August 01, 1999. The age limit is relaxed by 5 years for SC/ ST/ Physically Disabled (PD) candidates. Class XII qualifying examination should be passed in either 2017 or 2018. Candidates appearing in 2019 are also eligible (Where only Letter Grade is given by the Board, a certificate from the Board specifying equivalent percentage marks will be required. In the absence of such a certificate, the decision of the respective Admission Committees will be final.) Candidate should secure a position in the NEST merit list. Candidates from J & K, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana state have a quota of 15 percent.

Important Dates

Scheduled to conduct on June 2, 2019, candidates can download NEST 2019 Admit Card from the official website i.e. www.nestexam.in from April 24, 2019, onwards. It will be a Computer-Based Test (CBT/online exam) and the syllabus comprises Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. The merit will be calculated on the basis of three highest scored sections including the first one. The Science entrance exam is scheduled to be conducted at a total of 91 centers (mentioned below) all over India. Candidates can choose five exam centers in order of preference while filling the NEST application form. However, the allotted exam center will be indicated on the NEST Admit Card. Candidates have to mention the choice of NEST Exam center with the state code in which it is located.

Exam Pattern

Decided by National Institute of Science Education & Research (NISER) each year, NEST is been following the same exam pattern since last few years.

1. The examination will be organized at multiple centers (major towns or cities) all over India on June 2, 2019 (10:00 AM to 1:00 PM).

2. It will be conducted in the Computer-Based Test (CBT/online exam).

3. The question paper will be published in the English language only.

4. There will be objective (MCQ) questions will be asked.

5. The total exam duration will be 3 hours.

6. There will 5 sections, each of 50 marks but the general section will carry 30 marks.

7. The whole question paper will be consisting of 230 marks.

8. There is no negative marking in the General section. However, negative marking is applied in the subject section.

Result

Apparently, NEST 2019 exam result will be declared on June 17, 2019. The result will be available online. Candidates are suggested to keep checking the official website for all important updates. The result will reflect on the official website on a tab which will read result 2019. According to 2018 records, obtaining a seat in NISER has become highly competitive. From a total of roughly 80,000 applicants nationwide, only 0.32 percent qualifies for admission. As of 2018, the total intake of NISER and UM-DAE CBS is 200+2 students and 45+2 students respectively (where two seats in each college are reserved for students belonging to the state of Jammu and Kashmir).