NEST 2025 seat reservation for all categories is now available on the official website, nestexam.in. OBC-NCL has a total 27% of seats reserved for admission through NEST 2025 exam. SC/ST/PwD categories, on the other hand, has a total 15%, 7.5%, and 5% of seats available for admission at NISER and UM-DAE CEBS. For the Integrated M.Sc. program 2025–30, the total number of seats at NISER and UMDAE CEBS are 200 and 57, respectively.
Two supernumerary seats are reserved at both NISER and CEBS for eligible candidates from Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, as per existing government regulations. A student with a certain category rank will take a general seat if he/she secures a suitable general ranking.
Along with this, the aforementioned categories also need to meet the eligibility criteria as mandated by the official. According to NEST 2025 eligibility criteria, you must clear your class 12 exam in Science streams with at least 60% aggregate marks from an accredited board as general category. SC/ST/PwD category students are required to obtain 55% of aggregate marks to appear at the examination for admission. However, there is no age limit prescribed by the official.
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NEST 2025 Reservation Criteria
Out of the total number of seats in both NISER and CBS, there are a certain percentage of seats which is reserved for the reserved category candidates. The categories acknowledged by NISER and CBS for admission are as follows:
- Other Backward Classes belonging to the Non-Creamy Layer (OBC–NCL)
- Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST)
- Person with Disabilities
- Supernumerary Quota for students from Jammu and Kashmir
Other Backward Classes belonging to the Non-Creamy Layer (OBC–NCL)
There are about 27% of seats reserved for OBC-NCL Candidates provided that the class must be mentioned in the Central List of OBCs as of June 1, 2025.
Creamy Layer of OBC
Please note that the Creamy Layer of OBC are not entitled for any reservation as they are treated as belonging to General (unreserved) category.
Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC)
These Classes as notified by some state governments are not eligible for any reservation unless they belong to OBC-NCL category.
Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST)
The total percentage of seats reserved for SC/ST candidates is 15% seats for SC and 7.5% for ST.
Under this category, only those candidates can avail eligibility claim whose castes and tribes are mentioned in List of corresponding states as published by Government of India.
Person with Disabilities
About 5% seats in General, OBC-NCL and SC/ST categories are reserved for PD Candidates.
Applicants who have at least 40% impairment irrespective of the type of disability - locomotor, visual or dyslexic or Leprosy- cured candidates who are otherwise fit to pursue the course are eligible to apply for NEST 2025 under this category.
Supernumerary Quota for students from Jammu and Kashmir
NISER and CBS has two seats for applicants under this category.
To be eligible for this category, candidates must be belonging to Jammu & Kashmir.
They must have completed Class 12th or equivalent exam through the State Board of Jammu & Kashmir and from Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) affiliated schools located in Jammu & Kashmir.
NEST 2025 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates should fulfill certain educational qualification as well as the age limit conditions for fulfilling eligibility criteria. Those conditions are given below:
NEST 2025 Educational Qualification
For General Candidates
Candidates looking to fill NEST 2025 application form should have completed Class 12th Examination or any equivalent examination from any recognized Board in India in 2023 or 2024
Candidates who are appearing for Class 12th Examination in 2025 also meet the Eligibility requirement for NEST.
The subject chosen in Class 12th by the applicant has to be Science and within that they can have any combination of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
Candidates who have secured at least 60% marks in aggregate or equivalent grade in class XII examination will be eligible for admission to NISER and CBS. But there is no restriction regarding aggregate marks on appearing for NEST 2025 exam.
For Reserved Candidates
- Candidates who have secured at least 55% marks in aggregate or equivalent grade in class XII examination will be eligible for admission to NISER and CBS. But there is no restriction regarding aggregate marks on appearing for NEST 2025 exam.
- Candidates looking to apply for NEST 2025 should have completed Class 12th Examination or any equivalent examination from any recognized Board in India in 2023 or 2024
- Candidates who are appearing for the Class 12th Examination in 2025 also meet the Eligibility requirement for NEST.
- The subject chosen in Class 12th by the applicant has to be Science and within that they can have any combination of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
NEST 2025 Age Limit
There is no age limit for appearing in the NEST 2025 examination and admission to either NISER or UM-DAE CEBS.
NEST 2025 Seat Reservation
- If the required number of seats remains unfilled in the OBC-NCL category, they will be allotted to General category candidates.
- On the other hand, vacant seats under the SC and ST categories will not be allotted to candidates of other categories.
- NEST 2025 seat reservation for PD candidates is horizontal and hence, unfilled seats will be allotted to candidates belonging to the respective categories. For Example: unfilled SC (PD) seats will be allotted to candidates belonging to the SC category and so on.
The Number of Seats available in NISER and CBS for admission in the year 2025 is tabulated below.
| Category | NISER | CEBS |
|---|---|---|
| General | 101 | 23 |
| General-EWS | 0 | 06 |
| OBC-NCL | 54 | 15 |
| SC | 30 | 09 |
| ST | 15 | 04 |
| PwD | 5% seats in each category | 5% seats in each category |
| Total | 200 | 57 |
NEST 2025 Documents Required
If selected, every candidate, irrespective of any category, has to obtain a certain set of Documents at the time of admission. Despite these candidates clearing the NEST 2025, if the candidate fails to produce original documents during the admission and counselling process, the admission of the candidate will be rejected.
For General Candidates
- Candidate has to carry all original documents and sufficient photocopies. Documents such as: Birth Certificate, Class 10th Mark sheet, Class 12th Mark sheet, Passport Size photographs etc.
- If the candidate has only letter grades then, a certificate from the Board specifying equivalent percentage of marks is required. This is compulsory or else the admission will not be done.
For Reserved Categories
To claim seats under reserved category, it is mandatory to furnish relevant documents at the time of admission.
- OBC candidates must have the OBC (NCL) certificate issued on or after June 01, 2025.
- SC/ST and Jammu and Kashmir candidates are also required to have the SC/ST certificate (for SC/ST) and Original Certificates (Jammu and Kashmir candidates) to reserve seat under their category.
- Candidates under PD category are required to have the Medical Certificate issued according to the latest guidelines of the Government of India.
Apart from the Category Certificates, Candidates are also required to produce documents such as Birth Certificate, Class 10th Mark sheet, Class 12th Mark sheet, Passport Size photographs at the time of counselling and admission.
Check Out NEST 2025 Counselling
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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