Both NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai will release the official NEST 2026 merit lists right on the main portal at nestexam.in, so you can check your rank and seat allotment all in one place.
NEST 2026 results are scheduled to drop on the official website on June 24, 2026. Once the results are out, the online Centralised Counselling, where you'll fill out your Expression of Interest, is lined up to kick off around the third week of July 2026.
- Based on previous year trends, the General category MAP is expected to be around 90–95th percentile for NEST 2026.
- The cutoff is released in two forms: SMAS (section-wise) and MAP (overall percentile).
- OBC-NCL category MAP is expected to be approximately 90th percentile, same as General in recent years.
- SC / ST / Divyangjan / JK category MAP is expected around the 75th percentile as per historical data.
- You must clear SMAS in the General section and at least three subject sections to qualify for NISER.
Also Check:
- NEST Result 2026: Releasing June 24 at nestexam.in, Counselling, Cutoff and Merit List
- NEST 2026 Counselling Process, Documents Required, Seat Matrix
NEST Cutoff 2026: Important Dates
| Event | Expected Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| NEST 2026 Exam Date | June 6, 2026 |
| NEST 2026 Provisional Answer Key Release | Third week of June 2026 |
| Answer Key Challenge Window | Third week of June 2026 |
| NEST 2026 Final Answer Key | Third week of June 2026 |
| NEST 2026 Result Declaration | Second week of July 2026 (tentative) |
| NEST 2026 Cutoff (SMAS + MAP) Release | Along with the result — July 2026 |
| NEST 2026 Merit List Release | July 2026 |
| NEST Counselling 2026 Round 1 | Third week of July 2026 |
| NEST Counselling 2026 Final Round | September 2026 (tentative) |
NEST 2026 Category Wise Expected Cutoff (MAP)
For the General / UR category, the expected MAP for 2026 is 90–95 percentile, compared to the official 95 percentile cutoff in 2025.
- The General-EWS category is also expected to have a cutoff of 90–95 percentile, matching the same expected range as the General / UR category.
- For the OBC-NCL category, the expected cutoff for 2026 is around 90 percentile, which is the same as the official 2025 cutoff.
- The expected cutoff for SC, ST, PwD / Divyangjan, and J&K / Ladakh supernumerary categories is around 75 percentile
| Category | Expected MAP 2026 (Percentile) | Official MAP 2025 (Percentile) |
|---|---|---|
| General / UR | 90–95 percentile | 95 percentile |
| General-EWS | 90–95 percentile | 95 percentile |
| OBC-NCL | ~90 percentile | 90 percentile |
| SC | ~75 percentile | 75 percentile |
| ST | ~75 percentile | 75 percentile |
| PwD / Divyangjan | ~75 percentile | 75 percentile |
| J&K / Ladakh (Supernumerary) | ~75 percentile | 75 percentile |
Ques. What is the SC/ST/PwD cutoff for NEST 2026?
Ans. The SC/ST/Divyangjan MAP is expected to be around 75 percentile based on the 2024 and 2025 official cutoffs. The SMAS for these categories is 50% of the General category SMAS for each section.
Previous Year Official NEST Cutoff
For the General / General-EWS category, the cutoff increased from 85 percentile in 2021 to 95 percentile in 2025.
- The OBC-NCL cutoff also increased over the five years, rising from 82 percentile in 2021 to 90 percentile in 2025.
- For the SC / ST / Divyangjan / JK category, the cutoff rose from 68 percentile in 2021 to 75 percentile in 2025.
| Year | General / General-EWS | OBC-NCL | SC / ST / Divyangjan / JK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 95 percentile | 90 percentile | 75 percentile |
| 2024 | 90 percentile | 90 percentile | 75 percentile |
| 2023 | 90 percentile | 85 percentile | 70 percentile |
| 2022 | 87–90 percentile | 85 percentile | 70 percentile |
| 2021 | 85 percentile | 82 percentile | 68 percentile |
Ques. What is the NEST 2026 cutoff?
Ans. The NEST 2026 cutoff refers to the minimum qualifying criteria — SMAS (Section-wise Minimum Admissible Score) and MAP (Minimum Admissible Percentile) — that you must meet to earn a rank in the NEST 2026 merit list. Both NISER and CEBS use this cutoff to prepare their separate merit lists for seat allotment.
Ques. When will the NEST 2026 cutoff be released?
Ans. The NEST 2026 cutoff will be released along with the NEST 2026 result, expected in the second week of July 2026, on the official website nestexam.in.
NEST 2026 Section-wise Expected Cutoff (SMAS)
Among all subjects, Biology has the highest expected SMAS range across every category. For General / General-EWS candidates, the expected Biology cutoff is 8.50–9.50.
- For OBC-NCL candidates, the Biology cutoff is expected to be 7.65–8.55.
- For SC / ST / Divyangjan / JK candidates, the expected Chemistry cutoff is 4.00–4.35.
- General-EWS candidates may need around 6.00–7.00, while OBC-NCL candidates may require 5.40–6.30 for Mathematics.
| Subject Section | General / General-EWS (Expected) | OBC-NCL (Expected) | SC / ST / Divyangjan / JK (Expected) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 8.50 – 9.50 | 7.65 – 8.55 | 4.25 – 4.75 |
| Chemistry | 8.00 – 8.70 | 7.20 – 7.83 | 4.00 – 4.35 |
| Mathematics | 6.00 – 7.00 | 5.40 – 6.30 | 3.00 – 3.50 |
| Physics | 5.00 – 6.50 | 4.50 – 5.85 | 2.50 – 3.25 |
Ques. Can I get admission to NISER without clearing the NEST cutoff?
Ans. No. Clearing the NEST cutoff (both SMAS and MAP) is mandatory for inclusion in the NISER and CEBS merit lists. There is no alternative route for admission to the Integrated MSc programmes at these institutes.
NEST Previous Year Cutoff Trends
Biology recorded the highest SMAS cutoff across categories, while Physics had the lowest minimum score requirement.
- In 2025, General / General-EWS candidates needed up to 9.294 in Biology, while OBC-NCL required 8.365 and SC / ST / Divyangjan / JK required 4.647.
- The MAP trend also shows rising competition, with General / EWS increasing from 85 percentile in 2021 to 95 percentile in 2025.
- Overall, candidates should aim above recent SMAS and MAP levels to stay on the safer side for NEST 2026.
NEST 2025 SMAS (Official — Section-wise Minimum Admissible Score)
| Subject | General / General-EWS (Shift I) | OBC-NCL (Shift I) | SC / ST / Divyangjan / JK (Shift I) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 9.294 | 8.365 | 4.647 |
| Chemistry | 8.198 | 7.378 | 4.099 |
| Mathematics | 6.358 | 5.722 | 3.179 |
| Physics | 5.534 | 4.981 | 2.767 |
NEST 2024 SMAS (Official — Shift-wise)
| Subject | General Shift I | General Shift II | OBC-NCL Shift I | OBC-NCL Shift II | SC/ST/PwD/JK Shift I | SC/ST/PwD/JK Shift II |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 9.2947 | 8.054 | 8.3652 | 7.2486 | 4.6473 | 4.027 |
| Chemistry | 8.198 | 8.504 | 7.3782 | 7.6536 | 4.099 | 4.252 |
| Mathematics | 6.358 | 6.824 | 5.7222 | 6.1416 | 3.179 | 3.412 |
| Physics | 5.534 | 6.101 | 4.9806 | 5.4909 | 2.767 | 3.0505 |
Year-wise MAP Trend (2021–2025)
| Year | General / EWS MAP | OBC-NCL MAP | SC / ST / PwD MAP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 95 percentile | 90 percentile | 75 percentile |
| 2024 | 90 percentile | 90 percentile | 75 percentile |
| 2023 | 90 percentile | 85 percentile | 70 percentile |
| 2022 | 87–90 percentile | 85 percentile | 70 percentile |
| 2021 | 85 percentile | 82 percentile | 68 percentile |
NEST 2026 Marks vs Rank
Candidates scoring 160 and above are expected to secure a top general rank between 1 and 50, while those scoring 140–159 may fall in the 51–200 rank range.
- A score of 120–139 can likely place candidates between 201 and 600, showing strong admission chances.
- Marks between 100–119 may lead to ranks around 601–1200, while scores below 100 may result in lower rank ranges.
| Total Marks (out of 200) | Expected General Rank (Approx.) | Likely Institute |
|---|---|---|
| 160 and above | 1 – 50 | NISER (any subject) |
| 140 – 159 | 51 – 200 | NISER (preferred subject) |
| 120 – 139 | 201 – 600 | NISER / CEBS depending on subject choice |
| 100 – 119 | 601 – 1200 | CEBS Mumbai (higher chance) |
| 80 – 99 | 1201 – 2000 | CEBS Mumbai (borderline) |
| Below 80 | 2000+ | Seat allocation unlikely at current intake |
NEST Cutoff for NISER and CEBS: Closing Ranks
The NEST overall cutoff marks show a major difference between NISER and CEBS across all categories. For General / UR candidates, the approximate cutoff is 101 marks for NISER compared to 23 marks for CEBS.
- OBC-NCL candidates may need around 54 marks for NISER and 12 marks for CEBS, while SC and ST cutoffs are lower at 30 and 15 marks for NISER, and 7 and 3 marks for CEBS, respectively.
- Overall, NISER has a much higher cutoff requirement than CEBS, indicating stronger competition and higher score expectations.
NEST Overall Cutoff Marks: NISER vs CEBS
| Category | NISER Cutoff Marks (Approx.) | CEBS Cutoff Marks (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| General / UR | 101 | 23 |
| OBC-NCL | 54 | 12 |
| SC | 30 | 7 |
| ST | 15 | 3 |
| PwD / Divyangjan | As per category | As per category |
NISER Bhubaneswar: Category-wise Seat Availability
| Category | Seats at NISER | Seats at UM-DAE CEBS |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | ~66 | ~20 |
| OBC-NCL | ~36 | ~11 |
| SC | ~19 | ~6 |
| ST | ~9 | ~3 |
| EWS (at CEBS only) | N/A | ~5 |
| J&K / Ladakh (Supernumerary) | 2 | 2 |
Ques. Is the NEST cutoff the same for NISER and CEBS?
Ans. The MAP and SMAS criteria are largely the same for both institutes. However, the cutoff marks at which seats get allotted differ — NISER typically has a higher effective cutoff due to its larger seat intake and higher demand. CEBS cutoffs are relatively lower.
How is the NEST Cutoff 2026 Calculated?
The NEST 2026 cutoff involves a three-step process. You must satisfy both SMAS and MAP to earn a merit rank. Here is a step-by-step breakdown.
| Component | Rule |
|---|---|
| SMAS for OBC-NCL | 90% of the General category SMAS for each section |
| SMAS for SC / ST / Divyangjan / JK | 50% of the General category SMAS for each section |
| Total Score | General section + Best 3 subject section scores |
| Tie-Breaking Rule 1 | Higher General section marks get priority |
| Tie-Breaking Rule 2 | Higher score in the best subject section |
| Tie-Breaking Rule 3 | Higher Class 12 marks |
| Tie-Breaking Rule 4 | The younger candidate gets a higher rank |
What After the NEST Cutoff 2026?
Students who meet both the SMAS and MAP criteria will earn a merit rank. Only ranked students are eligible for the NEST 2026 counselling process.
- Counselling is conducted separately by NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai at their respective portals.
- The process is expected to begin in the third week of July 2026 and continue through multiple rounds until September 2026.
Key Counselling Steps
- Submit the Expression of Interest (EoI) on the official portal within the stipulated deadline.
- Fill in your preferred course and institute choices online.
- Seat allotment results are published round-wise.
- Accept the allotted seat and pay the admission fee to confirm.
- Report to the institute with original documents for verification.
| Counselling Stage | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| Round 1 Seat Allotment | Third week of July 2026 |
| Round 2 Seat Allotment | August 2026 |
| Final Round / Mop-Up | September 2026 |
Ques. Does the NEST 2026 cutoff change from round to round during counselling?
Ans. The SMAS and MAP cutoffs remain fixed. However, the effective closing rank for seat allotment at NISER and CEBS does change round by round. As rounds progress, closing ranks tend to rise slightly since the most sought-after seats get filled early.
Also Check: List of Top Colleges in India Accepting NEST Based on 2026 Ranking
Factors Affecting NEST Cutoff 2026
Several variables influence the NEST 2026 cutoff. Understanding these helps you estimate where the expected cutoff may land before the official declaration. The six major factors are explained below.
| Factor | Impact on Cutoff |
|---|---|
| Total Number of Candidates Appearing | More applicants → higher competition → cutoff tends to rise |
| Difficulty Level of the Exam | Tougher paper → lower SMAS values; easier paper → higher SMAS |
| Number of Seats Available at NISER and CEBS | More seats → relatively relaxed rank requirement |
| Previous Year Cutoff Trends | Strong indicator; MAP has risen consistently since 2021 |
| Category-wise Reservation Policy | SC/ST/PwD SMAS is fixed at 50% of General; OBC at 90% of General |
| Number of Candidates Qualifying SMAS | Fewer qualifiers → MAP threshold may be relaxed |
| Normalisation (Score of Top 100 Candidates) | SMAS is computed as 20% of the average of the best 100 scores per section; very strong toppers raise SMAS |
| Popularity of Subjects / Sections Attempted | Sections with more top scorers yield higher SMAS values |
FAQs
Ques. What is the expected General category MAP for NEST 2026?
Ans. Based on previous year trends, the General and General-EWS category MAP is expected to be around the 90th–95th percentile for NEST 2026. In 2025, the official General category MAP was at the 95th percentile.
Ques. How is the NEST 2026 cutoff calculated?
Ans. The NEST cutoff is determined in two ways: SMAS is calculated as 20% of the average of the best 100 scores in each section; MAP is the minimum overall percentile you must score. You must clear both to earn a merit rank.
Ques. How many seats are in NEST 2026?
Ans. For NEST 2026, you are competing for one of 257 total seats, which includes 200 seats at NISER Bhubaneswar and 57 seats at UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai.
Ques. What happens if I clear MAP but not SMAS?
Ans. You will not be included in the merit list. To qualify, you must clear both SMAS in the required sections and the overall MAP for your category. Clearing only one of the two criteria is not sufficient.
Ques. How many marks do I need to clear the NEST 2026 cutoff?
Ans. Based on 2024 data, General category students needed approximately 101 marks (out of 200) to secure a NISER rank. CEBS General cutoff marks were around 23. These figures may change depending on the difficulty of NEST 2026.
Ques. What is the difference between SMAS and MAP in NEST?
Ans. SMAS is a section-level cutoff (minimum marks required per subject section), while MAP is an overall percentile cutoff. SMAS ensures you have subject-level competency. MAP ensures your overall performance ranks high enough among all test-takers. You must clear both.
Ques. Where is the official NEST 2026 cutoff published?
Ans. The official NEST 2026 cutoff is published on nestexam.in. You can also find it on the official websites of NISER Bhubaneswar (niser.ac.in) and UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai (cbs.ac.in).
Comments