NEST 2025 Eligibility Criteria – Age, Qualification, Attempts & Reservation

Before applying for NEST 2025, it’s important to check the age criteria set by National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar, and UM-DAE Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (CEBS), Mumbai. For the NEST 2025 examination and subsequent admission to the integrated Master of Science program at NISER and UM-DAE CEBS, there is no strict upper age limit. This inclusive approach allows a wide range of candidates to pursue their higher education aspirations in basic sciences. While some other examinations may specify minimum age criteria or offer age relaxations for certain categories based on a cutoff date, NEST 2025 does not impose a lower age limit for appearing in the examination itself. Knowing the age rules in advance ensures you apply within the permitted criteria and make full use of any relaxation benefits.

NEST 2025 may offer relaxations for candidates belonging to specific reserved categories as per National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar, and UM-DAE Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (CEBS), Mumbai guidelines. These benefits primarily include reduced qualifying marks and fee concessions. Candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Divyangjan (PwD) categories are eligible for a reduced minimum aggregate of 55% marks in their Class 12th examination, as opposed to the 60% required for General and Other Backward Classes (OBC) candidates. Additionally, application fee concessions are provided, with female candidates (irrespective of category) and male candidates from SC, ST, or Divyangjan categories paying a reduced fee compared to male applicants from the General and OBC categories. Reservation of seats is also implemented, with 27% for Other Backward Classes-Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL), 15% for SC, 7.5% for ST, and 5% for Divyangjan (PwD) candidates across all categories. Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) reservation is applicable for admission to UM-DAE CEBS only. To avail these benefits, candidates must present valid and up-to-date category certificates during the admission and counselling process. Verification will follow the official protocol set by the authority. By understanding and following the process, eligible candidates can make full use of the category-based benefits available for NEST 2025.

NEST 2025 is primarily open to Indian citizens as per the rules set by National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar, and UM-DAE Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (CEBS), Mumbai. Prospective candidates must hold Indian citizenship to be eligible for the examination. For a national-level examination like NEST, specific domicile requirements, which are typically applicable to state-level entrance tests for seat reservations within a particular state, do not apply. Information regarding the eligibility of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI), Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) card holders, or foreign applicants for NEST 2025 has been noted to vary across sources. While some general academic platforms might indicate eligibility for OCI/PIO, specific reports for NEST 2025 state that NRI students, PIO, or OCI candidates are not eligible to apply. Therefore, Indian citizenship is the clear and consistent requirement. By understanding these rules early, candidates can ensure they meet the required nationality conditions before applying.

Before preparing for NEST 2025, it’s essential to know if there’s a cap on the number of attempts. Most national-level examinations in India impose certain restrictions on the number of times a candidate can appear. However, for the NEST examination, there is no restriction on the number of attempts. This allows aspiring candidates the flexibility to reappear for the test multiple times if they wish to improve their scores or secure admission into the integrated Master of Science program at National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar, or UM-DAE Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (CEBS), Mumbai. Since there is no maximum limit on attempts, the concept of category-based relaxations for the number of attempts does not apply. Being aware of unlimited attempts helps you plan your preparation strategy effectively without the pressure of exhausting your chances prematurely.

Age limit specific to the admission year.