NEST Merit List 2026 Released: Check Merit Rank, Admission Lists and Counselling Updates
The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) 2026 merit list is an important step for students seeking admission to the five-year Integrated MSc programme at the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar, and the University of Mumbai–Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-DAE CEBS), Mumbai.
According to the official NEST website, candidates can check their merit rank and result through the examination portal. However, admission merit lists and subsequent selection updates are handled by the respective institutes. Candidates should therefore check the relevant institute’s admission page rather than rely on an assumed common counselling date.
NEST 2026 Merit List: Important Details
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination | National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) 2026 |
| Participating institutes | NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai |
| Programme | Five-year Integrated MSc |
| Result portal | Official NEST website |
| Admission merit lists | Published through the respective institute’s admission page |
| Next step | Check institute-specific selection, reporting and admission instructions |
How to Check the NEST 2026 Merit Rank
Candidates can follow these steps to check their NEST result and merit rank:
- Visit the official website at nestexam.in.
- Open the result or merit-rank section.
- Log in through the application portal using the required credentials.
- Review the result and merit-rank details available in the account.
- Check the admission page of NISER or CEBS for institute-specific selection updates.
The official portal states that the result available through the application login is final. Candidates who have already downloaded their scorecards should retain copies of their result and application details for admission-related reference.
Where to Check NISER and CEBS Admission Lists
NEST is the common entrance examination for both institutions, but admission processing takes place separately. Candidates should check the institute to which they wish to apply and carefully follow the instructions published there.
- NISER Bhubaneswar: Visit the official NISER website and look for undergraduate admission notices and NEST-related updates.
- UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai: Visit the official CEBS admission page for merit lists, reporting instructions and admission notices.
The CEBS admission page lists multiple merit-list rounds for the 2026–27 Integrated MSc programme, including updates published through September 2026. As a result, candidates should check the latest institute notice rather than assume that a new counselling schedule is still awaited.
How Is the NEST Merit Rank Prepared?
Under the NEST 2026 rules, merit ranking uses candidates’ subject-section scores and percentile calculations. Candidates must satisfy the applicable Section-wise Minimum Admissible Score (SMAS) requirements and the Minimum Admissible Percentile (MAP) criteria to receive a merit rank. The detailed rules, including tie-breaking provisions, are explained in the official information brochure.
Securing a merit rank does not by itself guarantee admission. Final selection also depends on the institute’s admission process, seat availability, applicable reservation rules and the candidate’s fulfilment of eligibility requirements.
What Should Candidates Do Next?
Candidates should monitor official institute notices, keep their academic and category documents ready where applicable, and follow any stated reporting or fee-payment instructions. Do not rely on unofficial counselling dates or messages circulating on social media. For the latest NEST 2026 merit-rank and admission updates, use the official NEST, NISER and CEBS websites.
