NEST Exam Centres 2026: List of State-wise Test Centers and Exam Day Instructions

Updated By Debanjalee Sen on 05 Dec, 2025 08:54

The NEST exam centres are the locations where the test is conducted every year by NISER, Bhubaneshwar, and UM DAE, Mumbai. The venues are distributed nationwide, allowing exam takers to choose the most accessible test city. On exam day, they must reach the allotted NEST exam centre on time with all required documents.

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About NEST 2026 Exam Centres

NEST 2026 exam centres are set up in various major cities across India so that students can appear for the test from their nearest location. There are around 140 towns and cities where the test is held, which include Vijayawada, Srinagar, Jamshedpur, Mumbai, Tirupathi, Pune, Ranchi, Bengaluru, Guwahati, Mysuru, Dibrugarh, Aizawl, New Delhi, Panaji, Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mohali, Noida, Jajpur, Indore, Gwalior, Bhopal, Puri, Shimla, Burdwan, etc.

While filling out your NEST application form, you must select three venues out of which the authorities allocate one. The final allotted centre is displayed on the NEST admit card based on availability and preference order.

Knowing the exam city beforehand helps examinees plan travel and reporting time effectively. The exam centre list remains subject to changes depending on administrative decisions each year. On the day of the test, make sure to bring a valid ID and the admit card to enter the NEST 2026 exam centre without any issues. More details on the test venue and guidelines to be followed are provided on the hall ticket. 

NEST Exam Centres List 2026

Find the complete list of NEST 2026 exam centres across India, city-wise and state-wise, and plan your test day smoothly.

IndexState/ UTCity Name
1ANPort Blair
2APGuntur
3APKurnool
4APRajahmundry
5APTirupathi
6APVijayawada
7APVisakhapatnam
8APVizianagaram
9ARNaharlagun
10ASDibrugarh
11ASGuwahati
12ASTezpur
13BRBhagalpur
14BRPatna
15CGBhilai Nagar
16CGRaipur
17DLNew Delhi
18GAPanaji
19GJAhmedabad
20GJBhuj
21GJRajkot
22GJSurat
23HRHisar
24HRKurukshetra
25HRHamirpur
26HPShimla
27JKJammu
28JKSrinagar
29JHBokaro Steel City
30JHDhanbad
31JHJamshedpur
32JHRanchi
33KABengaluru
34KAHubballi (Hubli)
35KAMangaluru
36KAMysuru (Mysore)
37KLAlappuzha
38KLErnakulam
39KLIdukki
40KLKannur
41KLKasaragod
42KLKollam
43KLKottayam
44KLKozhikode
45KLMalappuram
46KLPalakkad
47KLPathanamthitta

IndexState/UTCity Name
48KLThiruvananthapuram
49KLThrissur
50KLWayanad
51LALeh
52MPBhopal
53MPGwalior
54MPIndore
55MPJabalpur
56MHAurangabad
57MHJalgaon
58MHKolhapur
59MHMumbai
60MHNagpur
61MHNanded
62MHPune
63MHRatnagiri
64MHSolapur
65MNImphal
66MLShillong
67MZAizawl
68NLDimapur
69NLKohima
70ODAngul
71ODBalangir
72ODBalasore
73ODBargarh
74ODBaripada
75ODBerhampur
76ODBhadrak
77ODBhawanipatna
78ODBhubaneswar
79ODBoudh
80ODCuttack
81ODDeogarh
82ODDhenkanal
83ODJagatsinghpur
84ODJajpur
85ODJeypore
86ODJharsuguda
87ODKendrapara
88ODKeonjhar
89ODMalkangiri
90ODNayagarh
91ODNuapada
92ODParalakhemundi
93ODPhulbani
94ODPuri

IndexState/UTCity Name
95ODRayagada
96ODRourkela
97ODSambalpur
98ODSonepur
99ODSundargarh
100ODUmerkote
101PYPuducherry
102PBBhatinda
103PBJalandhar
104PBChandigarh
105PBMohali
106RJBikaner
107RJJaipur
108RJJodhpur
109RJKota
110RJUdaipur
111SKGangtok
112TNChennai
113TNCoimbatore
114TNMadurai
115TNSalem
116TNTiruchirappalli
117TNTirunelveli
118TSHyderabad
119TSKarimnagar
120TSWarangal
121TRAgartala
122UPAgra
123UPAligarh
124UPGorakhpur
125UPKanpur
126UPLucknow
127UPNoida
128UPPrayagraj
129UPVaranasi
130UKDehradun
131UKHaldwani
132UKRoorkee
133WBAsansol
134WBBerhampur
135WBBurdwan
136WBDurgapur
137WBHooghly
138WBKalyani
139WBKolkata
140WBSiliguri
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Related Questions

Will the NEST 2026 exam centre city always match my preference?

You may or may not get your first preference of NEST 2026 exam centre, depending on seat availability. However, authorities make full effort to assign you your preferred exam venue.

Where are the NEST exam centres located?

The NEST exam centres are located nationwide. Some cities and towns include Kota, Udaipur, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kalyani, Kolkata, Hooghly, Nayagarh​​​Prayagraj, Vijayawada, Srinagar, Jamshedpur, Mumbai, Noida, Bengaluru, Guwahati, Mysuru, Dibrugarh, Aizawl, New Delhi, Panaji, Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, Leh, Mohali, Noida, Jajpur, Indore, Gwalior, Bhopal, Puri, Shimla, Burdwan, etc.

NEST 2026 Exam Day Instructions

Follow these quick guidelines to avoid last-minute issues on your NEST 2026 exam day:

  • Arrive at least 60 minutes before the reporting time. Late entry is not allowed.
  • Keep a printed copy of your NEST Admit Card and a valid photo ID (like Aadhaar, PAN, or Passport).
  • Leave electronic devices, notes, calculators, smartwatches, and bags at home. They are strictly prohibited.
  • Listen carefully to invigilators and follow their instructions without argument.
  • Do not swap seats under any condition. Your seat is pre-allocated.
  • Bring your own pens/pencils as mentioned in the admit card. Borrowing during the test is not allowed.
  • Any unfair practice leads to immediate disqualification and further action.

Related Questions

What happens if I go to the wrong NEST exam centre by mistake?

You must appear only at your allotted NEST 2026 exam centre, as entry is restricted to other venues. Make sure to double-check the location and how to get there a day before the exam.



When do I have to report to the NEST exam centre?

You have to report to the NEST exam centre according to the reporting time mentioned on the admit card. Reaching early helps avoid delays due to verification and security checks.

What should I carry to the NEST 2026 exam centre?

You must carry your admit card printout, a valid government photo ID, and required stationery to the NEST 2026 exam centre. Without these essentials, entry may be denied.

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FAQs about NEST

How many NEST exam centres are there for 2026?

There are 140 NEST exam centres across India for 2026, covering major cities and states to make access easier for applicants.

How many centres can I select for NEST 2026 exam?

When applying for NEST 2026 exam, you can select three exam centres in order of preference. The exam authorities will then allocate one of these centres, which will be communicated through NEST 2026 admit card. 

Can I change my NEST 2026 exam centre after submitting the application?

No, once you’ve submitted the NEST application form and chosen your exam centre, changes are not allowed. Your final NEST exam centre 2026 is confirmed on the admit card.

How do I find my NEST 2026 exam centre?

You can find your allotted NEST exam centre 2026 details printed on your NEST admit card, which is available for download from the official website before the exam.

What should I consider while choosing a NEST exam centre?

While selecting your NEST exam centre 2026, choose a test city closest to your residence to avoid travel issues. This helps you stay stress-free on the exam day.

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