NEST 2026 EWS cutoff for NISER is expected to be 85–105 marks out of 180, with students needing a Minimum Admissible Percentile of at least 95 — the same threshold as the General category.
The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) 2026 is scheduled for June 18, 2026. EWS students aiming for admission to NISER Bhubaneswar are assessed under General category standards and must clear the same section-wise minimum scores. UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai, in contrast, has six dedicated EWS seats with an expected lower closing rank.
- NEST 2026 exam date: June 18, 2026
- EWS MAP at NISER: 95 percentile (same as General category)
- Expected EWS cutoff score for NISER: 85–105 marks out of 180 (based on 2025 trends)
- UM-DAE CEBS has 6 dedicated EWS seats with expected cutoff in the 80–95 mark range
- Merit is calculated on the best 3 out of 4 sections (maximum 180 marks)
| Direct Link to NEST 2026 Official Website — nestexam.in (Active) |
NEST 2026 EWS Expected Cutoff for NISER
Based on previous year trends, the expected EWS cutoff for NEST 2026 at NISER and UM-DAE CEBS is listed below. EWS students at NISER are assessed under the same General category MAP of 95 percentile. The closing rank for EWS students at NISER is expected to fall between 200 and 350, depending on seat availability and exam difficulty in 2026.
| Institute | Category | Expected Score (out of 180) | Expected Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| NISER Bhubaneswar | EWS | 85–105 | 200–350 |
| UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai | EWS | 80–95 | 250–400 |
These figures are expected estimates based on NEST 2025 trends and will be confirmed after NEST 2026 results are released. EWS students ranked within the expected closing rank have a strong chance of receiving a provisional allotment letter from NISER or CEBS.
Previous Year NEST EWS Cutoff Trends
The table below shows EWS category cutoff data from NEST 2024 and NEST 2025. The overall cutoff score for EWS at NISER has ranged between 75 and 90 marks in the past two years. These figures help students benchmark their preparation for NEST 2026.
| Year | Institute | Category | Cutoff Score (out of 180) | MAP Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | NISER Bhubaneswar | EWS (General pool) | ~82–90 | 95 percentile |
| 2025 | UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai | EWS | ~78–88 | 95 percentile |
| 2024 | NISER Bhubaneswar | EWS (General pool) | 75–85 | 95 percentile |
| 2024 | UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai | EWS | 80–85 | 95 percentile |
EWS students who scored above 100 marks in NEST 2025 had a strong probability of securing admission at NISER. If exam difficulty increases in 2026, the cutoff may stabilise at 80–95 marks.
Section-wise Minimum Score for EWS Category
Every NEST student must clear the Section-wise Minimum Admissible Score (SMAS) in addition to meeting the MAP. EWS students follow the same SMAS as the General category. Failing to meet the SMAS in any attempted section disqualifies a student from the merit list, regardless of total score.
| Section | Max Marks | SMAS — General/EWS (NEST 2025) | Expected SMAS — EWS (NEST 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 60 | 9.29 | 9–10 |
| Chemistry | 60 | 8.20 | 8–9 |
| Mathematics | 60 | 6.36 | 6–7 |
| Physics | 60 | 5.53 | 5–6 |
The SMAS is computed as 20% of the average score of the top 100 rank holders in each section. Students must attempt any 3 sections and meet the SMAS in each. Choosing the 3 strongest subjects improves the total score out of 180 marks and reduces the risk of falling below the section minimum.
EWS Seat Intake at NISER and CEBS
The seat matrix directly determines how competitive the EWS cutoff is. UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai has 6 reserved EWS seats out of 57 total, making it the primary option for EWS students seeking a dedicated reserved quota.
| Institute | Total Seats | General | EWS | OBC-NCL | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NISER Bhubaneswar | 200 | 101 | — | 54 | 30 | 15 |
| UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai | 57 | 23 | 6 | 15 | 8 | 4 |
EWS students at NISER compete within the 101 General/unreserved seats. Students with a valid EWS certificate should also apply for CEBS, where 6 dedicated EWS seats result in a lower required closing rank compared to NISER’s General pool.
Factors Affecting NEST 2026 EWS Cutoff
The following factors determine how the NEST 2026 EWS cutoff will move compared to previous years.
- Exam difficulty: A tougher paper lowers the SMAS and the overall closing marks for EWS students at both institutes.
- Total applicants: Higher registration numbers increase competition and push the cutoff upward.
- SMAS calculation: The SMAS depends on the top 100 scorers per section — a stronger cohort raises section minimums for all students including EWS.
- Seat matrix revision: Any increase or reduction in seats at NISER or CEBS for 2026 will shift closing ranks.
- Subject combination chosen: Students selecting Physics-Chemistry-Mathematics face a different competition pool than Biology-heavy combinations, affecting section-specific cutoffs.
- Previous year performance: NEST 2025 data serves as the primary reference for all 2026 cutoff projections.
NEST 2026 EWS Cutoff FAQs
Ques. What is the expected NEST 2026 EWS cutoff score for NISER?
Ans. The expected EWS cutoff for NISER in NEST 2026 is 85–105 marks out of 180, based on 2025 trends. The actual cutoff will be confirmed after NEST 2026 results are declared on or after June 18, 2026.
Ques. Do EWS students get a relaxed cutoff at NISER compared to General category?
Ans. No. At NISER, EWS students are assessed under the same MAP of 95 percentile and the same section-wise minimum scores as General category students. A separate EWS cutoff applies only at UM-DAE CEBS, which has 6 dedicated EWS seats.
Ques. How many EWS seats are available through NEST 2026?
Ans. UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai has 6 dedicated EWS seats. NISER Bhubaneswar does not have separately reserved EWS seats; EWS students at NISER must secure a rank within the General/unreserved pool of 101 seats.
Ques. What is the maximum score in NEST and how is EWS merit calculated?
Ans. NEST has four sections — Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics — each carrying 60 marks for a maximum of 240 marks. Merit is based on the best 3 sections, giving an effective maximum of 180 marks. EWS students are ranked on this 180-mark merit score alongside all other qualifying students.
Ques. What percentile must an EWS student secure to qualify for NEST 2026 admission?
Ans. EWS students must secure a Minimum Admissible Percentile (MAP) of at least 95, the same requirement as the General category. Meeting the MAP alone does not guarantee admission; students also need to secure a rank within the closing rank for the available EWS or General seats.
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