Admission to the five-year Integrated Master of Science program in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics requires passing the National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) at the University of Bhubaneswar's National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) and the University of Mumbai, Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-DAE, CEBS)
The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India, founded both NISER and UM-DAE CEBS as independent organisations in 2007. These institutions were established to offer top-notch instruction in the fundamental sciences by a faculty to develops a national pool of scientists prepared to take on research challenges on the frontiers of basic and applied sciences, as well as to embed eminent experts in a dynamic research environment.
Latest Updates:-
The registration for the National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) 2025 opened on February 17, 2025 and concluded on May 13, 2025. The admit card for the exam will be available for download on June 5, 2025, and the NEST 2025 exam will be conducted on June 22, 2025.
The selected applicants are eligible to receive a Rs 60,000 scholarship each year through the Department of Atomic Energy's DISHA program, which is run by the Government of India. Additionally, a payment of Rs 20,000/-per year is given to the scholarship awardees for summer internships. Candidates selected by DST for the INSPIRE-SHE program are approved by NISER and UM-DAE CEBS for the INSPIRE scholarship.
Colleges that Accept NEST Scores for Admission
The primary colleges that accept admissions to their integrated Master of Science program and Ph.D programs through the scores of National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) are as follows:-
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There is one more institutes which accept the NEST scores, offering admissions to their undergraduate program:-
NISER Bhubaneshwar
The Department of Atomic Energy founded NISER intending to become a teaching and research bastion for the basic sciences and related fields. The National Institute of Science Education and Research offers an integrated Master of Science degree and a Ph.D degree in biological, chemical, mathematical, and physical sciences. According to government regulations, there are 200 seats available this year, including reserved seats for SC, ST, OBC, and Dibyangjan candidates.
There are various courses offered at the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar. These courses by the NISER are offered under different schools.
Below is the list of some of the courses offered by the National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar, along with the schools they are offered in:-
Schools | Courses Offered |
School of Biological Sciences |
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School of Physical Sciences |
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School of Chemical Sciences |
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University of Mumbai-DAE, CEBS
Mumbai is home to the independent Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences run by the Government of India's Department of Atomic Energy. The centre offers an integrated Master of Science degree and Ph.D degree in biological, chemical, mathematical, and physical sciences. According to government regulations, there are tentatively 57 seats with reservations this year.
The University of Mumbai's Department of Atomic Energy, Centre of Excellence in Basic Sciences, offers a variety of courses. These courses by the UM-DAE, CEBS are offered under different schools.
Below is the list of some of the courses offered by the University of Mumbai-Department of Atomic Energy, Centre of Excellence in Basic Sciences, along with the schools they are offered in:-
Schools | Courses Offered |
School of Chemical Sciences |
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School of Biological Sciences |
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School of Physical Sciences |
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School of Mathematical Sciences |
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Eligibility Criteria for Admissions to Courses Offered by NEST
The official authority conducting the National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) has provided a set of eligibility criteria for aspiring candidates seeking admission to the courses offered by the renowned universities. The candidate has to qualify for the three criteria put forth by the official authority to be eligible to seek admission to the integrated master of Science and Ph.D programs.
Below is the list of the eligibility criteria required for admission to the integrated master’s courses and Ph.D programs of the two universities:-
- A candidate must have passed class 12th in related disciplines from a recognised university.
- A candidate who belongs to the unreserved category must have at least scored 60% marks in class 12th in the related subjects from a recognised board.
- A candidate who belongs to the reserved category must have at least scored 55% marks in class 12th in the related subjects from a recognised board.
- An applicant must get a position on the NEST merit list.
- There is no upper age limit to seek admission to the programs offered through the NEST exam.
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Seat Intake Proposed for NISER and CEBS for 2025-2030
The NEST conducting authority has proposed the seat intake category-wise for the National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneshwar and the University of Mumbai-Department of Atomic Energy, Centre of Excellence for Basic Sciences.
Below is the breakdown of the seat intake, which is proposed for both universities accepting the NEST-2025 scores to offer admission to their integrated master’s and Ph.D programs:-
Category | UM-DAE CEBS | NISER |
General – EWS | 6 | 0 |
General | 23 | 101 |
Divyangjan | 5% seats in each category | 5% seats in each category |
OBC – NCL | 15 | 54 |
Scheduled Tribe | 4 | 15 |
Scheduled Caste | 9 | 30 |
Total Intake | 57 | 200 |
(For eligible candidates from Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, two supernumerary seats are reserved at both NISER and CEBS following current government regulations.)
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