The NEST Counselling 2026 for NISER and CEBS is expected to begin on July 3 2026, following the declaration of the merit list. The NEST 2026 exam was conducted on June 6, 2026, and the results are scheduled to be released on June 24, 2026.
- Once the results are out, the respective participating institutes will manage the NEST counselling 2026 process independently through their official portals.
- The process involves the submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI), followed by institute-specific joint/waiting list seat allotment based strictly on the NEST rank and meeting both SMAS and MAP cutoffs.
In 2025, roughly 2,400 to 2,500 students qualified for NEST counselling, maintaining a highly stable qualified pool compared to 2024's 2,378 qualified students due to the exam's strict percentile cutoff system.
Related Links:
- NEST Result 2026: Releasing June 24 at nestexam.in, Counselling, Cutoff and Merit List
- NEST Cutoff 2026: Category Wise Expected MAP, SMAS, and Previous Year Cutoff Marks
NEST Counselling 2026: Important Dates
The official NEST counselling schedule for 2026 has not yet been released. Based on the 2025 timeline and previous year trends, the expected schedule is as follows.
| Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| NEST 2026 result declaration | June 24, 2026 |
| NISER merit list release | July 2026 |
| EOI email sent to eligible candidates | July 3, 2026 (expected in the first week) |
| Last date to submit EOI | July 2026 (second week) |
| NISER admission queue published | July 2026 |
| First round of counselling — NISER | Third week of July 2026 |
| First round of counselling — CEBS | July 2026 |
| Second round of counselling — NISER | September 2026 |
| Third round of counselling — NISER | September 2026 |
| Semester registration | September 2026 |
NEST Counselling 2026: Past Years' Counselling Date Trends
Historically, NEST counselling always starts just 2 to 4 days after the results come out. While the total gap between the exam day and counselling stayed between a quick 15 to 22 days from 2021 to 2025, it jumped to about 35 to 40 days in 2026 because the exam was held much earlier.
| Year | Result / Merit List Date | Counselling Start Date(Expression of Interest) | Total Gap(Exam to Counselling) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | June 24, 2026 (Scheduled) | July 3, 2026 (Expected) | Approx. 35–40 Days |
| 2025 | July 10, 2025 | July 14, 2025 | 22 Days |
| 2024 | July 12, 2024 | July 15, 2024 | 15 Days |
| 2023 | July 10, 2023 | July 12, 2023 | 18 Days |
| 2022 | July 5, 2022 | July 8, 2022 | 20 Days |
| 2021 | September 1, 2021 | September 3, 2021 | 20 Days |
NEST Counselling 2026: NISER vs CEBS Key Differences
NEST Counselling 2026 is held online via the NISER portal for around 200 seats.
- CEBS counselling is conducted by UM-DAE CEBS for around 61 seats, including J&K and Ladakh quotas.
- Multiple rounds are held based on vacancies after each round. Document verification is conducted physically at the allotted institute upon reporting.
| Parameter | NISER Bhubaneswar | UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai |
|---|---|---|
| Total seats | 200 | 57 |
| Counselling mode | Online (EOI-based) | Online |
| Physical reporting | Mandatory at NISER campus, Jatni | Mandatory at CEBS campus, Mumbai |
| Counselling rounds | Multiple (up to 3) | Multiple |
| Merit list | Separate (niser.ac.in) | Separate (cbs.ac.in) |
NEST 2026 Seat Matrix: Category-wise Intake
For NEST Counselling 2026, the total number of seats available at NISER and CEBS will be 200 and 57, respectively.
| Category | NISER | CEBS |
|---|---|---|
| General | 101 | 23 |
| General-EWS | — | 06 |
| OBC-NCL | 54 | 15 |
| SC | 30 | 09 |
| ST | 15 | 04 |
| Divyangjan (PwD) | 5% of seats in each category | 5% of seats in each category |
| J&K / Ladakh (Supernumerary) | 2 | 2 |
| Total | 200 | 57 |
Reservation rules to keep in mind:
- Category Seat Shifts: Unfilled OBC-NCL seats transfer to General candidates, and vacant PwD seats revert to their respective category (e.g., SC-PwD to SC), but empty SC and ST seats are never reassigned.
- Special Allotments: If a category candidate qualifies with a high enough score, they will take a General category seat instead. Additionally, both NISER and CEBS reserve two extra seats specifically for students from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
Ques. Is there any interview after the NEST exam for the NISER?
Ans. Yes, as per Quora:
- Admission is Merit-Based Only: Selection for the BS-MS program is based entirely on your NEST exam score and rank; there are no personal interviews or academic viva voce stages.
- Purely Administrative Counselling: After the merit list is released, shortlisted candidates participate in a counselling session to verify documents, allocate seats, and pay fees.
- Interviews are only for Higher Degrees: While NISER conducts interviews for postgraduate programs (such as M.Sc. and PhD), they do not apply to standard undergraduate BS-MS admissions.
How to Register for the NEST Counselling 2026 Process?
The NEST Counselling 2026 process begins after the declaration of results and involves registration, merit list preparation, seat allotment, document verification, and admission confirmation.
110 Marks in NEST Counselling 2026
On Reddit, a candidate shared that he is expecting to score around 110 marks out of 180 in NEST 2026. The candidate is in a fairly competitive position based on historical trends.
This score puts you in a favourable position for merit-based admission to NISER Bhubaneswar or CEBS Mumbai during NEST Counselling 2026.
Chances of Getting NISER Bhubaneswar
A score of 110 in NEST makes admission to NISER a strong and realistic possibility based on recent trends.
Chances of Getting CEBS Mumbai
Since CEBS usually closes at lower ranks than NISER, a competitive NISER rank gives you a very strong chance of securing a seat at CEBS.
Documents Required for NEST 2026 Counselling
Candidates participating in NEST Counselling 2026 must bring both original and photocopies of essential documents, including the NEST scorecard, admit card, Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets, valid ID proof, and category certificates (if applicable).
The complete list of documents required for NEST Counselling 2026 is provided below.
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| NEST 2026 scorecard | Original + photocopy |
| NEST 2026 admit card | Original + photocopy |
| Class 10 marksheet and certificate | For date of birth proof |
| Class 12 marksheet and certificate | Original + photocopy |
| Category certificate (if applicable) | OBC-NCL / SC / ST / PwD — issued by the competent authority |
| EWS certificate (if applicable) | Issued by the competent authority |
| Photo ID proof | Aadhaar, passport, or driving licence |
| Recent passport-size photographs | Multiple copies |
| Student Personal Details undertaking | Signed by student and parent or guardian |
| Medical history form | As per the NISER or CEBS format |
| Anti-ragging affidavit | Signed by student and parent or guardian |
| J&K / Ladakh domicile certificate | Only for supernumerary seat candidates |
| PIO / OCI card | Only if born outside India |
NEST Counselling 2026: Reservation Criteria
- All seat reservations strictly follow the official policies set by the Central Government of India.
- More than half of the total seats are reserved across various categories, including OBC-NCL, SC, ST, and EWS.
- The 5% quota for Divyangjan (PwD) candidates is applied horizontally across all respective categories.
| Category | Seat Reservation Percentage |
|---|---|
| Other Backward Classes - Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL) | 27% |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% |
| Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) | 10% |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 7.5% |
| Divyangjan / Persons with Disabilities (PwD) | 5% (applied horizontally) |
Ques. How many rounds of counselling are there in NISER?
Ans. NISER admissions are usually conducted through multiple rounds of counselling and seat allotment, depending on seat availability. In recent years, there have typically been around 3–5 rounds, including spot rounds if seats remain vacant.
Also Check:
NEST Counselling 2026: Withdrawal of Admission
- Withdrawal Methods: You can cancel your admission either by sending an official email or by visiting the campus in person.
- Mandatory Criteria: Your admission will be cancelled automatically if you fail to meet any eligibility rules set by NISER or CEBS.
- Review Policy First: Make sure to read the withdrawal policy thoroughly before officially accepting your seat.
- Refund Variations: The amount of your fee refund depends strictly on the exact date you submit your withdrawal request.
NEST Counselling 2026: CEBS Admission Process
- Similar but Separate: While the CEBS counselling process is very similar to NISER's, you must register separately on the CEBS portal (cbs.ac.in) and follow their specific timeline.
- Merit & Preference Based: Getting a seat depends entirely on your NEST merit rank, your program preferences, and how many seats are still open.
- Mandatory Physical Attendance: You must report to the campus in person to finalise your admission, or your seat will be cancelled.
FAQs
Ques. Is NEST counselling conducted online or offline?
Ans. The counselling is organised in online mode only. An email is sent to all eligible candidates through which they need to fill out the EOI form. However, physical reporting at the institute campus for document verification is mandatory.
Ques. Can a candidate appear for both NISER and CEBS counselling?
Ans. Yes. Since the two institutes conduct counselling independently, qualified candidates can participate in both processes simultaneously, as long as they meet the respective SMAS criteria for each institute.
Ques. What is the Expression of Interest (EoI) form, and is it mandatory?
Ans. The EoI is an online form you must fill out on the official website to show you are interested in taking a seat. If you miss the deadline to submit it, the institutes will assume you aren't interested and will drop you from the admission rounds.
Ques. Can I get NISER with 60 marks?
Ans. 60 marks in NEST 2026 may make it difficult to get admission to NISER, especially for General category candidates. However, your chances will depend on this year's cutoff, your category, and the seat allotment process during NEST Counselling 2026.
Ques. Do I have to register separately for NISER and UM-DAE CEBS?
Ans. Yes, while the eligibility is calculated from the same NEST exam, you must monitor and register on the separate portals for NISER and CEBS based on their individual schedules.
Ques. What happens if seats are left vacant after the first round of counselling?
Ans: If seats remain unfilled, the institutes will prepare a waiting list from the remaining eligible candidates who submitted their EoI. They will then conduct a second or subsequent rounds of seat allotment until all seats are taken.
Ques. What happens if I miss the EOI deadline?
Ans. Failure to submit the EOI by the stipulated deadline will be considered as "Not Interested," and such candidates will not be considered for any further rounds of admission.
Ques. When will the official NEST counselling dates be released?
Ans. The official counselling schedule will be published along with or shortly after the NEST 2026 result on June 24, 2026, at nestexam.in. Candidates should check niser.ac.in and cbs.ac.in for institute-specific schedules.
Comments