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    NEST Syllabus 2026 PDF: Download Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics & Biology Syllabus

    NEST Syllabus 2026 PDF: Download Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics & Biology Syllabus

    Shankha GhoshUpdated on 26 Dec 2025, 01:07 PM IST

    The NEST 2026 syllabus is available on the official website at nestexam.in. Candidates who are appearing in class 12 and willing to appear for the NEST 2026 must check the syllabus first. Students can download the NEST syllabus 2026 through the link. Class 11 and Class 12 NCERT syllabi serve as the foundation for the creation of the NEST 2026 syllabus

    This Story also Contains

    1. NEST Syllabus 2026 PDF Link
    2. NEST 2026 Syllabus
    3. NEST Best Preparation Books 2026
    4. NEST Previous Year Sample Papers
    5. NEST Exam Pattern 2026
    NEST Syllabus 2026 PDF: Download Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics & Biology Syllabus
    NEST Syllabus

    NISER Bhubaneswar and UM DAE CEBS combinedly conduct the NEST examination every year for the admission in integrated MSc courses. Candidates willing to appear in the NEST 2026 must complete their 12 with minimum qualifying marks. To understand more about the NEST syllabus, students are urged to read the complete article.

    NEST Syllabus 2026 PDF Link

    The first step to a successful NEST exam preparation is to review the syllabus. The NEST 2026 syllabus is divided into four components. It is required of all participating applicants who plan to take this exam to review all four sections, subjects, and topics related to these subjects. The NEST exam's broad syllabus includes a variety of topics and subtopics in every area.

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    NEST 2026 Syllabus

    We have created a list of subjects and their syllabus for the NEST 2026 exam for the convenience of the students. It is recommended that students review the information in the table below:

    NEST Mathematics Syllabus 2026

    The mathematics syllabus of the NEST examination is totally based on the NCERT. Candidates are required to follow the whole mathematics NCERT syllabus from class 10 to 12.

    NEST Physics Syllabus 2026

    General

    Units and Dimensions

    Dimensional analysis

    Least count

    Design of some simple experiments

    Significant figures

    Methods of measurement

    current and resistance Graphical representation and interpretation of data

    Error in measurements and error analysis.

    Mechanics

    Kinematics in one and two dimensions

    Newton’s laws of motion

    Projectile

    Uniform linear motion

    Relative velocity

    Inertial and uniformly accelerated frames of reference

    Static and dynamic friction

    Linear and circular simple harmonic motion

    Systems of particles

    Centripetal acceleration and centrifugal force

    Rigid body

    Moment of inertia

    Parallel and perpendicular axes theorems

    Hooke’s law and stress – strain relations. Elastic limit

    plastic deformation. Young’s modulus

    Bulk and shear moduli

    Pressure in a fluid

    Pascal’s law

    Buoyancy

    Surface energy and surface tension

    Sound and Mechanical Waves

    Plane-wave motion

    Longitudinal

    and transverse waves

    Superposition of waves

    Progressive and stationary waves

    Vibrations of strings and air columns.

    Thermal Physics

    Thermal expansion of solids

    Liquids and gases

    Calorimetry

    latent heat

    Heat conduction in one dimension

    First and the second law of thermodynamics and its applications

    Elementary concepts of convection and radiation

    Newton’s law of cooling

    Equivalence of heat and work

    Entropy

    Black body radiation - absorptive and emissive powers

    Kirchhoff’s law.

    Electricity and Magnetism

    Coulomb’s law

    Electric field and potential

    Electrical potential energy of a system of point charges and of electrical dipoles in a uniform electrostatic field.


    Capacitance

    Calculation of capacitance with and without dielectrics. Capacitors in series and parallel. Energy stored in a capacitor.

    Electromagnetic Induction

    LR and LC circuits with and A.C sources.

    Faraday’s law

    Lenz’s law

    Self and mutual inductance

    RC

    Optics

    Rectilinear propagation of light, Reflection, and refraction at plane and spherical surfaces, Deviation and dispersion of light by a prism


    Modern Physics

    Atomic nucleus.

    Alpha, beta and gamma radiations.

    Law of radioactive decay

    Photoelectric effect

    Bohr’s theory of hydrogen-like atoms

    Characteristic and continuous X–rays

    Moseley’s law

    Fission and fusion processes.

    NEST Chemistry Syllabus 2026

    Unit Name

    Topics

    Measurements in Chemistry - SI unit for fundamental quantities

    Significant figures in the calculation

    Mole Concept -

    Root mean square and most probable velocities and their relation with temperature

    Avogadro number and the mole concept

    Molar masses

    Mole fraction

    Molarity

    Molality

    Percentage Composition

    Stoichiometry

    Equivalent weight and normality

    Calculations based on mole concept and stoichiometry

    Kinetic theory of gases; average

    Gaseous and Liquid States

    Law of partial pressures.

    Absolute scale of temperature

    Gas laws

    Ideal gas equation

    Real gases and deviation from ideality

    Liquefaction of gases

    Van der wall equations

    Atomic Structure and Chemical Bonding


    Bohr Model

    Spectrum of hydrogen atom

    Quantum numbers

    Wave-particle duality

    Uncertainty principle

    Orbitals and quantum numbers

    Thermodynamics


    Thermodynamics state

    First law of thermodynamics

    Internal energy

    Work and heat

    Pressure-volume work

    Enthalpy and enthalpy change

    Hess’s law

    Heat of reaction

    Chemical equilibrium


    Laws of chemical equilibrium, Law of mass action, Equilibrium constant

    factors affecting equilibrium constant.

    Electrochemistry


    Redox reactions and electrode potential

    Electrochemical cells

    Galvanic cells and cell reactions

    Standard electrode potential

    Nernst equation

    Electrochemical series

    Emf of galvanic cells


    Chemical kinetics


    Rates of chemical reactions

    Order of reaction

    Rate constant

    Factors affecting the rate of reaction – concentration

    Solid state


    Classification of solids

    Amorphous and crystalline solids

    Crystalline state

    Crystal lattice and unit cells

    Solutions


    Solution of solid and gas in liquid

    Concentration of solution

    Ideal and non ideal solutions

    Colligative properties

    Vapour pressure of solution


    Surface chemistry

    Adsorption, Colloidal state

    Inorganic Chemistry


    Classification of elements and periodicity in properties

    Hydrogen

    s– Block elements

    p– Block elements

    d–Block elements

    f–Block elements

    Coordination compounds

    Metals and metallurgy

    Organic Chemistry


    Basic concepts

    Reactive intermediates

    Isomerism

    Nomenclature

    Alkanes

    Alkenes and Alkynes

    Aromatic compounds

    Haloalkanes (Alkyl halides)

    Haloarenes

    Alcohols

    Phenols

    Ethers

    Aldehydes and Ketones

    Carboxylic acids

    Amines

    Carbohydrate

    Amino acids and proteins

    Polymers

    Mathematics Algebra


    Algebra of complex numbers

    Quadratic equations with real coefficients

    Arithmetic

    Permutations and combinations

    Binomial theorem for positive integral index

    relations between roots and coefficients

    Matrices as a rectangular array of real numbers

    properties of these matrix operations

    Addition and multiplication rules of probability


    Trigonometry


    Trigonometric functions

    Relations between sides and angles of a triangle

    General solution of trigonometric equations


    Analytical Geometry

    Addition of vectors

    Two dimensions - Cartesian coordinates

    Equation of a straight line in various forms

    angle between two lines

    Lines through the point of intersection of two given lines

    equation of the bisector of the angle between two lines

    Equation of a circle in various forms

    Parametric equations of a circle

    equation of a circle through the points of intersection of two circles and those of a circle and a straight line

    Differential Calculus

    scalar multiplication

    Real valued functions of a real variable

    Rational

    trigonometric

    exponential and logarithmic functions

    Limit and continuity of a function

    Limit and continuity of the sum

    Inverse of a function

    Derivative of a function

    Derivative of the sum

    difference

    Product and quotient of two functions

    Derivatives of implicit functions

    Integral Calculus

    dot and cross products

    Integration as the inverse process of differentiation

    Integration by parts

    Integration by the methods of substitution and partial fractions

    Formation of ordinary differential equations

    Vectors

    scalar triple products and their geometrical interpretations.

    NEST Biology Syllabus 2026

    Unit Name

    Topics

    Cell Biology

    Genetics and Evolution

    Ecology

    Humans and Environment

    Biology of Animal systems

    Circulatory System

    Digestive System

    Excretory System

    Nervous System

    Reproductive System

    Immunology

    Developmental Biology

    Biology of Plant systems

    NEST Best Preparation Books 2026

    Picking the best NEST study guide is essential to achieving high exam scores. Without the support of high-quality reference books, your preparation plan is ineffective. Therefore, be sure that the books you use for your NEST study 2026 preparation are the best available.

    NEST Recommended Books

    Subjects

    Books Recommended

    Mathematics

    • Plane Trigonometry by S.L. Loney

    • Arihant Series by Dr. SK Goyal

    • IIT Mathematics by R.D Sharma

    • Higher Algebra by Hall and Knight

    • Senior Secondary School Mathematics for Class 12 by R.S. Aggarwal

    • Objective Mathematics Part 1 and Part 2 (NCERT difficulty) by RD Sharma

    Chemistry

    • IIT Chemistry by O.P Agarwal

    • Organic Chemistry by NCERT

    • Textbook of Chemistry for Class 11th and 12th by NCERT

    • A Textbook of Organic Chemistry for IIT JEE by R.K Gupta

    • Entrance Chemistry by Bhakta

    Biology

    • A Class Book of Botany by A.C Dutta

    • Textbook of Biology by S.C Verma

    • Elementary Biology for Class 12 by K.N Bhatia

    • Textbook of Biology by NCERT

    • Biology Guide by Pradeep

    Physics

    • Optics and Modern Physics by DC Pandey

    • Concepts of Physics – Volume 1 and Volume 2 by H.C. Verma

    • Practice problems in Physics for Engineering Examinations by S.Mishra

    • Concepts of Physics by HC Verma

    • Objective Physics by Mahesh Jain

    • MCQ Question Bank by D Mukherjee

    NEST Previous Year Sample Papers

    Without practice, NEST 2026 exam preparation is insufficient. It is important that applicants practice using past year's exam sample papers in order to become familiar with previous year's exam patterns. Exam sample papers for the NEST might provide you with an understanding of the question kinds and paper patterns.

    NEST Previous Years Papers

    NEST Exam Pattern 2026

    Students getting ready for NEST entrance 2026 need to be aware of the exam format. It is crucial to review the NEST 2026 exam pattern from the examination guidelines. NISER and CEBS are the official agencies and these agencies are responsible for releasing the NEST exam pattern every year.

    Here is a glimpse of NEST Exam Pattern and with this, you can know more about types of questions, weightage of the subjects, duration of the exam, type of questions, the total number of questions, marking scheme, etc.

    NEST 2026 Exam Pattern

    Particulars

    Details

    Type of Questions

    MCQs

    Total sections

    4

    Total Marks

    240

    Marks for each section

    60

    Marking Scheme

    For all sections except Section II - 0.25 marks will be deducted for every incorrect answer

    Duration

    3 hours and 30 minutes

    NEST Preparation Tips 2026

    • First, review the entire NEST exam 2026 syllabus covering every topic. The first stage of the candidates' preparation is the NISER entrance syllabus. The NEST 2026 syllabus helps in your understanding of the exam's topics, sections, and disciplines.

    • For better preparation goals, take the NEST mock test 2026.

    • In order to maintain consistency in the studies, follow an appropriate schedule when preparing for NEST 2026.

    • It is important for applicants to take notes every day as they get ready for NEST 2026.

    • For the last-minute revision, candidates must write section- and subject-specific notes.

    • To study the NEST 2026 syllabus, try to concentrate on the top literature. To fully cover all areas, candidates should use the greatest reference books when studying.

    NEST Question/Sample Papers
    Candidates can download NEST Question/Sample Papers from here.
    Download Now

    Note- Once you complete the overall syllabus of NEST 2026, then you have to look at the previous year's question papers.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Q: How can I download the NEST 2026 syllabus?
    A:

    Students can download the NEST syllabus from the official website. There are separate links available for all the subjects.

    Q: How many sections does the NEST examination contain?
    A:

    There are 4 sections in the NEST examination- Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

    Q: Does the NEST exam syllabus change every year?
    A:

    No, the NEST syllabus does not change every year.

    Q: What does the NEST syllabus 2026 contain?
    A:

    The NEST syllabus mainly covers the NCERT based topics. One is referred to follow the NCERTs books to prepare for the examination.

    Q: What is the eligibility for the NEST exam?
    A:

    Students who want to appear in this NEST 2026 must qualify for Class 12 with the science stream. The minimum required marks for NEST 2026 are 60% for the General category and 55% for the reserved category, such as SC/ST.

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    Questions related to NEST

    On Question asked by student community

    Have a question related to NEST ?

    Hello,
    CEBS has started the NEST 2026 registration process on January 5 at nestexam.in. Candidates can fill and submit the NEST 2026 application form till April 6. The last date to pay the NEST application fee 2026 is April 12.
    For NEST Exam Eligibility 2026, Age Limit, Qualification, Marks Required,

    Hi, the exact data for 2025 is not available. However, in 2024, over 45,000 students registered for the exam and more than 27,000 appeared. The NEST 2026 exam is scheduled to be held on June 6.

    If any candidate has lost their NEST exam certificate, they can visit the official website, nestexam.in to request another copy of the certificate.

    HELLO,

    Yes , the NEST exam is generally considered tougher than NEET as it requires more focus towards conceptual understanding and thinking , while NEET generally tests NCERT based knowledge where as in NEST it requires you to have deeper clarity in Physics , Chemistry , Biology and Mathematics.

    NEET