NEST Merit List 2026 Out, Counselling Schedule Expected Soon

NEST Merit List 2026 has been released for candidates who appeared in the National Entrance Screening Test conducted for admission to the five-year Integrated MSc programmes offered by NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai. Candidates can now check their merit ranks and qualifying status through the official admission portal. The NEST 2026 result was declared on June 24, 2026, and scorecards are being made available to eligible candidates. With the release of the merit list, attention has shifted to the upcoming counselling and admission process. While the detailed counselling schedule has not yet been officially announced, admission activities are expected to begin in the coming weeks.

NEST Merit List 2026 Released for Integrated MSc Admissions

The release of the NEST 2026 Merit List marks a significant step in the admission process for science aspirants seeking entry into some of India's premier basic science institutions. The merit list contains candidates' ranks based on their performance in the entrance examination. Admission to participating institutes will be offered according to merit position, category, eligibility conditions and seat availability. Candidates must secure a valid rank in the merit list to be considered for admission. According to available admission information, the merit list includes details such as:

• Application Number
• Roll Number
• General Rank
• Category Rank
• Qualification Status

NEST 2026 Counselling Dates and Admission Schedule

Following the publication of the merit list, the next major stage is the counselling and admission process. Although the official counselling calendar is awaited, admission-related activities are expected to commence during July 2026 based on the examination schedule and previous admission trends. Participating institutes are expected to release detailed instructions regarding registration, seat acceptance, and reporting shortly. The expected counselling timeline is provided below:

NISER Bhubaneswar and CEBS Mumbai Admission Through NEST 2026

The NEST examination serves as the gateway for admission to Integrated MSc programmes offered by NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (CEBS), Mumbai. Admissions are conducted strictly on the basis of NEST merit rank and fulfillment of eligibility criteria specified by the respective institutions. Candidates who meet the minimum admissible score and rank requirements will be considered during admission rounds. The institutions offer academic programmes in core science disciplines, including:

• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Mathematics

NEST 2026 Counselling Process and Seat Allotment Procedure

The counselling process is expected to be conducted online, followed by reporting and document verification procedures at the respective institutes. Candidates should be prepared for the following admission stages:

1. Online counselling registration.
2. Submission of willingness or admission forms.
3. Publication of admission or merit rounds.
4. Seat allocation based on rank.
5. Document verification.
6. Fee payment.
7. Final admission confirmation.

Documents Required for NEST Counselling 2026

Candidates should begin arranging all required documents before the counselling process starts. The commonly required documents are expected to include:

• NEST 2026 Scorecard
• NEST Merit List Rank Proof
• Class 10 Certificate
• Class 12 Mark Sheet and Passing Certificate
• Date of Birth Proof
• Government-issued Photo Identity Card
• Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS, if applicable)
• PwD Certificate (if applicable)
• Passport-Size Photographs
• Admission Application Forms

NEST 2026 Seat Intake and Merit-Based Selection

The admission process remains highly competitive due to the limited number of available seats across participating institutions. The NEST information brochure indicates that admissions are offered through a merit-based selection process, with separate seat allocation mechanisms followed by participating institutes. Selection is based on merit rank, category reservations and institutional admission rules. Candidates with stronger ranks are expected to receive admission opportunities during the initial rounds, while subsequent rounds may be conducted depending on vacancies.

How to Download NEST Scorecard 2026?

Candidates who qualified in the examination can access their scorecards through the official portal. The scorecard will be required throughout the counselling and admission process. The process generally includes:

1. Visit the NEST admission website.
2. Click on the scorecard download link.
3. Enter User ID and Password.
4. Submit login credentials.
5. Download the scorecard PDF.
6. Save and print multiple copies.

NEST Merit List 2026 Begins Admission Process for Science Aspirants

The release of the NEST Merit List 2026 has officially initiated the admission phase for candidates seeking entry into Integrated MSc programmes at NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai. With merit ranks now available, candidates should prepare for the upcoming counselling process by arranging necessary documents and tracking official admission announcements. As counselling dates are expected to be announced shortly, qualified candidates are advised to remain attentive to institute notifications and complete all admission-related formalities within the prescribed timelines to secure their seats.