NEST 2027 eligibility requires Class 12 with Physics and Mathematics, a minimum aggregate of 60% for General/EWS/OBC-NCL students, and a date of birth on or after August 1, 2005 — based on previous year trends.
The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) 2027 is conducted jointly by NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai for admission to the 5-year Integrated M.Sc. programme. Before you apply, verify your age, Class 12 results, subject combination, and how many times you have already appeared for NEST.
- Age Limit: Born on or after August 1, 2005 for General/EWS/OBC-NCL; born on or after August 1, 2000 for SC/ST/PwD (expected, based on 2026 trends).
- Qualification: Class 12 passed or appearing, with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.
- Minimum Marks: 60% aggregate for General/EWS/OBC-NCL; 55% for SC/ST/PwD students.
- Number of Attempts: Maximum 2 — once while appearing in Class 12 and once the year after passing.
- Nationality: Indian nationals and OCI cardholders.
| Direct Link to NEST 2027 Official Website (Visit Here) |
NEST 2027 Eligibility Criteria Overview
The table below summarises all key NEST 2027 eligibility parameters at a glance. All projected figures are based on previous year patterns and will be confirmed in the official NEST 2027 notification.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) 2027 |
| Conducting Bodies | NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai |
| Age Limit — General/EWS/OBC-NCL (expected) | Born on or after August 1, 2005 |
| Age Limit — SC/ST/PwD (expected) | Born on or after August 1, 2000 |
| Minimum Qualification | Class 12 with Physics and Mathematics |
| Minimum Aggregate — General/EWS/OBC-NCL | 60% |
| Minimum Aggregate — SC/ST/PwD | 55% |
| Maximum Attempts | 2 |
| Nationality | Indian nationals and OCI cardholders |
Age Limit for NEST 2027
Based on 2026 trends, General, EWS, and OBC-NCL students must be born on or after August 1, 2005 to appear for NEST 2027. SC, ST, and PwD students receive a 5-year relaxation and must be born on or after August 1, 2000.
The age is calculated as of August 1 of the exam year. Students born before the applicable cutoff date are not eligible even if they meet all other criteria. You should wait for the official NEST 2027 notification to confirm the exact date of birth cutoff.
| Category | Date of Birth (On or After) | Approximate Maximum Age in 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS / OBC-NCL | August 1, 2005 (expected) | 22 years |
| SC / ST / PwD | August 1, 2000 (expected) | 27 years |
Educational Qualification for NEST 2027
You must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination under the 10+2 system from a recognised board to be eligible for NEST 2027. Students appearing in their Class 12 board exams in 2027 may apply provisionally.
Students who passed Class 12 in 2025 or 2026 are also eligible, as long as they meet the age limit and have not exhausted their attempt limit. The minimum marks requirement applies to the aggregate of all subjects in Class 12.
| Category | Minimum Aggregate in Class 12 |
|---|---|
| General / EWS / OBC-NCL | 60% |
| SC / ST / PwD | 55% |
Provisional admissions are subject to submission of the final Class 12 marksheet confirming the minimum required percentage before the deadline set by NISER or CEBS.
Subject Requirements for NEST 2027
Physics and Mathematics are compulsory subjects in Class 12 for NEST 2027 eligibility. You must also have studied at least one additional science or technology subject from the approved list.
Students from Arts or Commerce streams who did not study Physics and Mathematics are not eligible. Students who studied Biology as their only science subject without Mathematics also cannot apply.
- Compulsory subjects: Physics and Mathematics
- At least one additional subject from: Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Electronics, Computer Science, Statistics
The subject combination requirement exists because the Integrated M.Sc. programme at NISER and CEBS involves rigorous coursework in both physical sciences and mathematics from the first year.
Number of Attempts for NEST 2027
NEST allows a maximum of 2 attempts for every student. The first attempt is in the year you appear for Class 12 board exams, and the second attempt is in the year immediately after you pass Class 12.
A third attempt is not permitted under any category. If you appeared for NEST in both 2025 and 2026, you are not eligible for NEST 2027 regardless of your category or marks.
| Attempt | When Allowed | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Attempt | Year of appearing in Class 12 | Class 12 in 2026 → NEST 2026 |
| 2nd Attempt | Year immediately after passing Class 12 | Passed Class 12 in 2026 → NEST 2027 |
| 3rd Attempt onwards | Not permitted | — |
If you passed Class 12 in 2026 and did not appear for NEST 2026, you are still eligible for NEST 2027 as your first attempt.
Category-wise Relaxation in NEST 2027 Eligibility
SC, ST, and PwD students receive a 5-year relaxation in the age limit and a 5-percentage-point reduction in the minimum Class 12 marks requirement. There is no relaxation in the number of attempts for any category.
| Category | Age Relaxation | Minimum Class 12 Marks | Maximum Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | None | 60% | 2 |
| EWS | None | 60% | 2 |
| OBC-NCL | None | 60% | 2 |
| SC / ST | 5 years | 55% | 2 |
| PwD | 5 years | 55% | 2 |
OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cardholders are eligible to apply but are treated as General category students for seat allotment. They do not qualify for reserved seats at NISER or CEBS.
NEST 2027 Eligibility Criteria FAQs
Ques. What is the age limit for NEST 2027?
Ans. Based on previous year trends, General/EWS/OBC-NCL students must be born on or after August 1, 2005, and SC/ST/PwD students must be born on or after August 1, 2000. The official NEST 2027 notification will confirm exact cutoff dates.
Ques. How many times can I attempt NEST?
Ans. You can attempt NEST a maximum of 2 times — once when appearing in Class 12 and once in the year immediately after passing. A third attempt is not allowed for any category.
Ques. Can I appear for NEST 2027 without Mathematics in Class 12?
Ans. No. Mathematics is a compulsory subject for NEST 2027 eligibility. Students who did not study Mathematics in Class 12 are not eligible, regardless of other subjects studied.
Ques. What is the minimum percentage required in Class 12 for NEST 2027?
Ans. You need a minimum of 60% aggregate in Class 12 if you belong to the General, EWS, or OBC-NCL category. SC, ST, and PwD students need a minimum of 55% aggregate.
Ques. Can students appearing in Class 12 in 2027 apply for NEST 2027?
Ans. Yes, students appearing in Class 12 in 2027 can apply provisionally. Admission will be confirmed only after they submit their final Class 12 marksheet showing the required minimum aggregate.
Ques. Are OCI cardholders eligible for NEST 2027?
Ans. Yes, OCI cardholders may apply for NEST 2027. They are treated as General category students for seat allotment and are not eligible for reserved seats at NISER or CEBS.
Comments