NEST 2025 Timelines – Important Dates, Syllabus Schedule & Deadlines

The National Entrance Screening Test February to May exam cycle includes multiple key stages such as registration, admit card download, exam conduction, and result declaration. Staying updated with the latest National Entrance Screening Test schedule assures you never miss an important milestone in your preparation and application journey.

Historically, NEST has maintained a consistent annual timeline, making it easier for aspirants to anticipate important milestones. The examination generally follows a predictable pattern, with the official notification released in the early part of the year, followed by the application period, admit card release, examination, and subsequent result declaration. For instance, the NEST 2024 notification was officially released on March 27, 2024. The application process commenced shortly after, on April 3, 2024, and the registration window was extended until June 3, 2024. The admit cards for NEST 2024 were then released on June 15, 2024. The examination was conducted on June 30, 2024, and the results were declared on July 12, 2024. This consistent schedule, year after year, provides a valuable framework for prospective candidates. Knowing these trends helps in early preparation, allowing aspirants to align their study plans with the typical timeline of events. It also aids in timely application planning, ensuring that all necessary documents and fees are ready well in advance of the deadlines. By reviewing past schedules, aspirants can set realistic preparation goals and stay ahead in their NEST journey.

Among the many dates in the NEST 2025 schedule, a few stand out as absolutely critical to a candidate’s success. The application submission deadline, admit card download window, exam day, and result declaration are crucial checkpoints that aspirants must not miss. The online application process for NEST 2025 began on February 17, 2025, and concluded on May 13, 2025. This application window is paramount, as failure to submit the form by the deadline results in immediate disqualification from the current exam cycle. Following a successful application, candidates could download their admit cards from June 04, 2025. The admit card is a mandatory document for appearing in the examination, and accessing it within the stipulated window is essential. The NEST 2025 examination itself was held on June 22, 2025, a single day that culminates months of preparation for many candidates. Finally, the declaration of results on July 10, 2025, is a high-impact date, as it determines eligibility for the subsequent counselling and admission rounds. Missing any of these key deadlines may result in disqualification or missed opportunities for admission to the integrated MSc programs at NISER or UM-DAE CEBS. By staying alert to these high-impact deadlines, aspirants can avoid last-minute stress and ensure they remain on track for every stage of the NEST 2025 process.

Once the NEST 2025 concludes, the post-exam process begins with the release of the provisional answer key. For NEST 2025, the provisional answer keys were made available starting June 25, 2025. Candidates are given a specific window to review these provisional answer keys and submit any objections they may have regarding the answers. For NEST 2025, this objection window was from June 25 to June 26, 2025. This allows for transparency and gives candidates an opportunity to challenge potentially incorrect answers. Following the review of all submitted objections, the examination authority publishes the final answer key. Subsequently, the much-anticipated results are declared. For NEST 2025, the results were announced on July 10, 2025, with a revised scorecard issued on July 17, 2025, addressing a minor correction in the qualifying percentile. It is also important to note that for multi-slot examinations, a normalization process is often applied to ensure fairness across different shifts. After the result declaration, shortlisted candidates are invited for counselling sessions by NISER and UM-DAE CEBS. The counselling for NISER Round 1 began around July 11, 2025, with campus reporting scheduled for July 25, 2025. Similarly, CEBS counselling registration started on July 17, 2025, with campus reporting by July 28, 2025. This structured post-exam process ensures transparency, fairness, and a smooth transition from test-taking to admission.