NEST Registration 2026: Direct Link, Important Dates, Fees, Documents Required, How to Apply

About NEST 2026 Application Form (OUT in February 2026)

The NEST 2026 application form is expected to be launched in February 2026. To fill out the form, you are required to register and complete the process digitally within the specified timeline. To begin, you must register for NEST and obtain the login credentials. Once available, sign in to the "candidate account" and start completing the application form. Make sure to type in accurate details and upload the necessary documents. In the next phase, pay the NEST application fee and submit the form. After successful submission, you should download or print the confirmation page for future reference.

Aspirants seeking to apply for NEST 2026 must have completed 10+2 from a recognised Board in India with at least 60% for the General Category and 55% for SC/ ST/ Divyangjan. For complete details about norms, make sure to refer to the latest official Brochure for the exam. The direct link to the NEST 2026 application form is provided below. Read through the page below to learn more about NEST registration, dates, process, and more.

NEST 2026 Application Form Highlights

Here's a quick overview of the NEST 2026 application form:

NEST Exam 2026 Application Form Dates

Find out the NEST 2026 application form dates from the table given below:

Steps for NEST 2026 Registration Online

Aspirants should follow the steps mentioned below to successfully fill out and submit the NEST application form 2026:

Step 1: NEST 2026 Registration - The first step in the NEST 2026 application form process is registration. Candidates can register for admissions by providing their basic details along with their mobile phone number and email address for verification. Then they can complete the NEST registration 2026. Follow the steps provided below to complete and submit the NEST application form 2026:

• Visit NEST official website ww.nestexam.in

• Click on ‘New Registration’.

• Enter all the information asked.

• Enter the secret code and click on the 'Register' tab.

• After that, you will receive an SMS on your mobile number with your User ID and Password.

• Then, you receive an email which will be sent to the registered email address with a link to the login page and login credentials..

Step 2: Filling up of NEST 2026 Application Form - After completing the registration process, students must fill the NEST application form 2026. Students have to fill out the NEST 2026 application form with their academic details, work experience and extracurricular activities.

• Students can log in with the ID and password provided to them in the SMS on their registered mobile number. Fill out the NEST application form 2026 with the details such as:

  • Name,

  • Gender,

  • Date of Birth, Religion,

  • Nationality,

  • Parent's Name,

  • Academic Details,

  • Mobile number,

  • Qualifying Marks,

  • Year of Passing, Board, Marks, Roll Number and Percentage of Marks 

  • Address details and so on

• After that, you have to choose 5 examination centres for the NEST 2026 exam in order of preference.

• After selecting NEST 2026 Examination Centres, click on the submit button.

• You have to select a security question-answer as per your wish as well as the preferred examination centres.

Step 3: Uploading the Documents - Students must upload scanned copies of their supporting documents, such as their mark sheets, certificates, and passport-size photographs in the given specifications in the NEST 2026 application form.

• In this step of NEST application form 2026, you have to upload a scanned copy of your Signature and Photograph in the prescribed size and format.

  • File format: JPEG

  • File size: maximum 100 KB

• Note: If the resolution and size are not correct as prescribed above, the system will not accept the document.

• After uploading scanned copy of documents, candidates must click on the 'review'  tab and check whether all the details have been filled correctly or not, and make changes wherever required.

Step 4: Payment of Application Fee - Students must pay the NEST 2026 application fee to complete the NEST application process. The NEST application form 2026 Fee is INR 1400 for General category candidates and INR 700 for Female/SC / ST/ PwD/ Divyang category candidates.

• The NEST application form 2026 fees can be paid online through Credit/Debit Card or Net banking.

• This is to be noted that the fees paid are not refundable.

• After that, read the declaration and click in the white box next to ‘I agree’, and then press ‘Submit’.

Step 5: Confirmation Page - Once all the documents required for the NEST 2026 application form have been uploaded and the NEST application fee has been paid, students can submit the NEST application form 2026 and wait for confirmation.

• After successful payment of the NEST 2026 application fee, a summary page is generated with all the details entered, which completes the application form submission process.

• Take a printout of the NEST 2026 application form of summary page for further use in admission rounds.

NEST Exam 2026 Registration Fees

Find the NEST exam 2026 registration fee below for the respective categories. The fee payment has to be completed in online mode.

Documents Required for NEST 2026 Registration

Here is the list of documents required for NEST 2026 registration.

• Valid email address and mobile number
• Colored passport-size photograph in jpg/ jpeg format (image size should be between 10 kb to 200 kb)
• Scanned signature of the candidate
• Mark sheet of 12th and 10th class
• Thumb impression 
• SC / ST / PWD Certificate (if applicable)

Image Specification for NEST 2026 Application Form

There are some specific image requirements for the NEST application form 2026. Students must submit the coloured photograph with the given instructions. 

• The image should be a coloured passport-size photograph in JPG or JPEG format.
• The image size should be between 10 kb to 200 kb. 

NEST 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Check out the main pointers below related to NEST eligibility criteria:

• You should be a 12th pass from a recognised board with a minimum of 60% marks
• Applicants who belong to the SC / ST / PwD category will require a minimum of 55% marks
• You must have Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Mathematics as mandatory subjects in 12th class

NEST 2026 Application Form Important Instructions

Before filling out the NEST 2026 application form, you should keep the following points in mind to ensure that your forms are not rejected and are successfully submitted.

•  The NEST application form 2026 can be filled out online.
•  The NEST 2026 application fee must be paid online by debit card, credit card, or net banking.
•  The applicants can select up to three exam centres while filling out the NEST 2026 application form.
•  You will be able to edit or make changes to the NEST application form with the help of a correction window, which remains open for 3-4 days post-submission of the NEST 2026 application form.
• Candidates must provide a working mobile number and email address because all official communication will take place through them.
• Make sure to double-check your documents before submitting the NEST application form 2026. When uploading documents in the NEST 2026 application form, make sure that they are clear and legible. Check the specifications and the given format for uploading the documents. This will help to ensure that the NEST application form 2026 is processed successfully.

Common Mistakes to Avoid when Filling NEST 2026 Application Form

Students can improve their chances of successfully submitting the NEST application form 2026 by avoiding these errors. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when filling out the NEST 2026 application form.

• Don’t miss the NEST 2026 application deadline - Make sure to apply on time to avoid disappointment.
• Not meeting the NEST eligibility criteria - Make sure to meet all of the NEST eligibility criteria before applying.
• Making mistakes on the NEST 2026 application form - Make sure to thoroughly read and complete the NEST application form 2026. Any errors on the application form may cause the application to be delayed or even disqualified from the exam.
• Not uploading all required documents - Make sure to include all required documents in the application, such as mark sheets, certificates, and passport-size photographs in the appropriate size and format.
• Not paying the NEST application fee - The application fee is INR 1400 for general category candidates and INR 700 for SC/ST/PwD candidates. Make sure to pay the application fee in order to complete your NEST application form 2026.

NEST 2026 Application Form Correction

The conducting authority provides a correction facility for the NEST application form. The following are the steps that you must follow to update or change the information in the NEST 2026 application form:

• Open the official website of the NEST exam.
• Log in with the application ID and password to update the information.
• Update the information or make the necessary changes in the application form.
• Click the 'Submit' button to save the updated information.

What After NEST 2026 Registration?

After the completion of the NEST application form process, make sure to take a printout of the application form for future reference. If you notice any errors, you may get the chance to rectify them during the form correction window. Those who complete the submission within the deadline, along with fee payment, can get their NEST admit card once available.

The hall ticket is mandatory to take the entrance exam. To download the NEST 2026 admit card, you have to log in with your application number, password, and captcha image code.