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What is JEST Exam: Applicants seeking admission to Ph.D. or Integrated Ph.D. programmes in Physics, Theoretical Computer Science, Neuroscience, or Computational Biology can participate in the Joint Entrance Screening Test 2026. The JEST Physics entrance exam offers admission to postgraduate and integrated postgraduate studies at 31 top science institutions in India.
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The JEST 2026 exam will take place at 43 exam centres across India. It is important for candidates to clear the JEST eligibility criteria set by each college in order to secure admission in courses offered at JEST participating colleges. Candidates who are curious about the JEST exam can find more information in this article.
The Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST) is a national-level screening exam in India. Joint Entrance Screening Test Physics serves as a gateway for candidates seeking admission to Ph.D. and Integrated Ph.D. programmes in Physics, Theoretical Computer Science and more at premier research institutes like the IISERs, NISER, TIFR, and others.
B.Sc (Hons) Admissions 2026 Now Open | Ranked Among the Top 100 Universities in the World by QS World University Rankings 2025 | Applications Closing Soon!
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PhD in Physics
PhD in Theoretical Computer Science
PhD in Computational Biology
PhD in Neuroscience
Integrated MSc / MTech - PhD Program in Physics
Integrated PhD in Theoretical Computer Science
Integrated MTech - PhD
Integrated PhD
MSc
Candidates interested in taking admission through the JEST 2026 exam should check the eligibility criteria before submitting their application forms. The eligibility criteria for each programme varies, so candidates should check the JEST eligibility criteria 2026 for the programme they are interested in. The JEST 2026 eligibility criteria includes requirements such as age limit, qualifying examination marks and many more. To know the JEST eligibility criteria for various courses, candidates can check out the table given below.
Programme | JEST 2026 eligibility criteria |
Integrated PhD | BSc (Physics) or BE / BTech in any discipline |
Ph.D. in computational biology | Masters in any science or engineering programme and strong biology interest. |
MSc programme | BSc physics or B. Tech in any science related programme. |
Integrated Ph.D programme in theoretical computer science | BSc/B Tech in computer science or related disciplines. (Interest in maths related to computer science) |
Ph.D. programme in Physics | MSc in Physics, Applied physics or related fields like mathematics, astronomy or electronics. |
Theoretical Computer Science | MSc/M Tech/M.E. in computer science & other disciplines. |
Ph.D. in Neuroscience | MSc in Mathematics, Physics or Engineering with minimum 55% marks. |
Integrated MSc - PhD Physics | BSc in Physics or a related field like Mathematics or Engineering |
There is no upper age limit to appear for the JEST 2026 exam. However, individual JEST participating institutes may have their own age restrictions or specific eligibility requirements for admission into their Ph.D. and Integrated Ph.D. programmes. Candidates should check the criteria of their preferred institutes before applying.
The Joint Entrance Screening Test syllabus helps students to qualify in the JEST examination. Candidates can practise the important topics of the JEST 2026 syllabus pdf by visiting the official website. The JEST 2026 subject-wise syllabus list consists of physics and theoretical computer science. The JEST exam syllabus plays a vital role in the preparation of students for the examination.
Candidates must check out the following subjects related to the JEST 2026 exam.
Classical Mechanics
Mechanical Methods
Electromagnetism and Optics
Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics
Electronics
Quantum Mechanics
The Indian Institute Of Science Education And Research, Tirupati started the JEST 2026 registration process on February 26. Candidates who have met the eligibility criteria have to register for JEST 2026 exam before the deadline by providing all the required details.
Step 1: Visit the JEST official website at jest.org.in
Step 2: Click on the “JEST 2026 Registration” link
Step 3: Enter your contact details and complete the registration
Step 4: You will receive your login credentials
Step 5: Log in and enter all the remaining details
Step 6: Upload all the documents
Step 7: Pay the application fees
Step 8: Click on the “Submit” option
Category | Application fee |
SC/ST and PwD applicants | Rs. 600 |
All other applicants | Rs. 1200 |
Candidates appearing for the exam must go through the JEST 2026 exam pattern. According to the JEST 2026 exam pattern, important aspects include exam duration, marking scheme, total number of questions and marks distribution. Aspirants should be familiar with the exam pattern of JEST exam. Candidates should follow JEST exam preparation tips to get a good score in the JEST exam.
Particulars | Details | |||
JEST exam duration | 3 hours/ 180 minutes | |||
JEST exam time | 10 am to 1 pm | |||
JEST total number of questions | Section A: 15 questions Section B: 10 questions Section C: 25 questions Total: 50 questions | |||
Types of questions in JEST | MCQs | |||
JEST exam mode | Offline/ pen and paper mode | |||
JEST exam medium | English | |||
Number of sections in JEST | 3 | |||
JEST marking scheme | Section | Correct | Incorrect | Unattempted |
A | +3 | -1 | 0 | |
B | +3 | 0 | ||
C | +1 | -1/3 | ||
The JEST participating universities list provides the institutes that accept scores of JEST. Candidates appearing for the JEST 2026 exam must refer to the list of participating universities. The JEST institutions will release the cutoffs and shortlist the candidates based on their results. Candidates can find the JEST 2026 participating institutions list from the below table.
S.No | Name of the College |
1 | Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences, Nainital |
2 | |
3 | |
4 | |
5 | Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore |
6 | Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Berhampur |
7 | |
8 | |
9 | |
10 | |
11 | Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Thiruvananthapuram |
12 | Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Tirupati |
13 | |
14 | Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram |
15 | Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam |
16 | Institute for Plasma Research, Gandhinagar |
17 | |
18 | Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune |
19 | International Centre for Theoretical Sciences, Bangalore |
20 | |
21 | National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar |
22 | Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad |
23 | Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology, Indore |
24 | Raman Research Institute, Bangalore |
25 | |
26 | Satyendra Nath Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata |
27 | |
28 | |
29 | TIFR Centre for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Hyderabad |
30 | UGC-DAE Consortium for Scientific Research, Indore |
31 | Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
JEST 2026 is not an online exam. It is a digital or Computer Based Test (CBT). Candidates will read the questions on a computer terminal and choose an answer by clicking on the correct option.
Students who completed their bachelor’s or master's in Physics / Mathematics or Computer Science will be eligible to apply for the JEST exam.
The Joint Entrance Screening Test will be held to offer admissions for Physics and Computer Science subjects.
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