The NEST 2026 result and cutoff are finally out! If you appeared for the National Entrance Screening Test this year and have been anxiously waiting to know your standing — here’s everything you need right now. NISER Bhubaneswar has officially released the NEST Cutoff 2026 on June 24, 2026. This cutoff determines who qualifies for the 5-year Integrated MSc programme at NISER and UM-DAE CEBS. So let’s get straight into it.
NEST Result 2026 and Cutoff have been officially released by NISER Bhubaneswar on June 24, 2026. Candidates can download their scorecards at nestexam.in. The expected cutoff for top ranks (1-10) is between 158 to 176 marks out of 240.
1. NEST Cutoff 2026 – Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | NISER Bhubaneswar + UM-DAE CEBS |
| Course Offered | 5-Year Integrated MSc (Science) |
| Total Marks | 240 Marks |
| Result & Cutoff Released | June 24, 2026 ✅ |
| Top Rank Cutoff (1-10) | 158 to 176 marks |
| Official Website | nestexam.in |
| Next Step | NEST Counselling 2026 |
2. NEST Expected Cutoff 2026 – Rank-wise
Here’s the rank-wise expected cutoff for NEST 2026. These marks are based on previous year trends and the difficulty level of this year’s exam. If your score falls in these ranges, your admission chances look good!
| Rank Range | Expected Cutoff Marks (out of 240) |
|---|---|
| 1 to 10 | 158 to 176 |
| 11 to 50 | 136 to 157 |
| 51 to 100 | 124 to 135 |
| 101 to 201 | 112 to 123 |
| 202 to 350 | 103 to 112 |
| 351 to 555 | 95 to 102 |
These are expected cutoffs based on last year’s trends. The official cutoff may vary slightly. Always cross-check with the official NEST merit list on nestexam.in.
3. NEST Cutoff 2026 – Marks vs Percentile (Category-wise)
NEST has two scoring components — SMAS (Subject-wise Minimum Aggregate Score) and MAP (Minimum Aggregate Performance). You need to clear both to qualify. Here’s the category-wise breakdown:
| Category | SMAS Percentile | SMAS Marks | MAP Percentile | MAP Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | 90% | 45 | 95% | 14.25 |
| OBC | 90% | 45 | 90% | 135 |
| SC | 50% | 25 | 75% | 112.5 |
| ST | 50% | 25 | 75% | 112.5 |
| PWD | 50% | 25 | 75% | 112.5 |
4. NEST Previous Year Cutoff – 2025
Want to understand the trend? Here’s what the cutoff looked like last year. Comparing 2025 with 2026 gives you a clear picture of how competitive the exam has become:
| Rank Range | NEST 2025 Cutoff Marks | NEST 2026 Expected Cutoff |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 10 | 155 to 175 | 158 to 176 ⬆️ |
| 11 to 50 | 133 to 155 | 136 to 157 ⬆️ |
| 51 to 100 | 121 to 133 | 124 to 135 ⬆️ |
| 101 to 201 | 110 to 121 | 112 to 123 ⬆️ |
| 202 to 350 | 100 to 110 | 103 to 112 ⬆️ |
| 351 to 555 | 92 to 100 | 95 to 102 ⬆️ |
📊 Trend Analysis
The cutoff has gone up by about 3-4 marks across all rank ranges in 2026 compared to 2025. This suggests NEST is getting slightly more competitive each year. If you’re planning for 2027, aim for at least 140+ marks to feel comfortable about your chances.
5. Factors That Influence NEST Cutoff 2026
The cutoff doesn’t just appear out of thin air. Several factors go into determining the final cutoff marks every year:
- Number of applicants who appeared in the exam (over 45,000 registered in recent years)
- Total seats available at NISER and UM-DAE CEBS combined
- Difficulty level of the 2026 NEST paper
- Reservation policy for SC, ST, OBC, and PWD categories
- Previous year cutoff trends (as a benchmark)
- Overall performance of candidates across all sections
6. How to Check NEST Result & Cutoff 2026
Checking your result and cutoff status is quick and easy. Just follow these steps:
- Visit the official website: nestexam.in
- Click on the “Result 2026” or “Cut Off 2026” link on the homepage
- A new page will open on your screen
- Enter your Roll Number and other required details
- Click Submit to view your result and cutoff status
- Download and print your scorecard for future reference
7. NEST Counselling 2026 – What Happens Next?
Cleared the cutoff? Congratulations! Here’s what the next steps look like:
✅ NEST Counselling Process 2026
- Step 1: NISER releases counselling schedule (post cutoff declaration)
- Step 2: Online registration for counselling
- Step 3: Document verification (originals + photocopies)
- Step 4: Payment of seat confirmation fee
- Step 5: Final seat allotment based on merit + category
- Step 6: Reporting to institute with all documents
Note: Candidates who fail to present their category certificate during counselling will be treated as General category.
8. Important Links – NEST 2026
9. Frequently Asked Questions – NEST Cutoff 2026
Q1. When was NEST Cutoff 2026 released?
NISER Bhubaneswar released the NEST 2026 result and cutoff on June 24, 2026. Candidates can check it at nestexam.in.
Q2. What is the NEST Cutoff 2026 for General category top ranks?
For ranks 1 to 10, the expected cutoff is 158 to 176 marks out of 240. For ranks 11-50, it is expected to be around 136 to 157 marks.
Q3. What is NEST exam and who conducts it?
NEST stands for National Entrance Screening Test. It is conducted jointly by NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai for admission to the 5-year Integrated MSc programme in science subjects.
Q4. What is the total marks in NEST 2026?
The NEST 2026 examination is conducted for a total of 240 marks. The cutoff is also expressed out of 240.
Q5. Is NEST cutoff different for SC/ST candidates?
Yes. SC and ST candidates need 50th percentile in SMAS (25 marks) and 75th percentile in MAP (112.5 marks), which is significantly lower than the General category requirement.
Q6. What happens after clearing the NEST cutoff?
Candidates who clear the cutoff need to participate in the NEST Counselling 2026. This involves online registration, document verification, fee payment, and seat allotment based on merit and category.
Q7. Has the NEST cutoff increased in 2026 vs 2025?
Yes, the expected cutoff in 2026 is about 3-4 marks higher than 2025 across all rank ranges. This indicates a slight increase in competition year-on-year.
Q8. Can I get admission at NISER if my score is below cutoff?
No. The NEST cutoff is the minimum qualifying mark. Candidates who score below the category-wise cutoff are not eligible for admission at NISER Bhubaneswar or UM-DAE CEBS.
