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    What is JEST Exam 2026: Complete Guide to Eligibility, Syllabus & Pattern
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    • What is JEST Exam 2026: Complete Guide to Eligibility, Syllabus & Pattern

    What is JEST Exam 2026: Complete Guide to Eligibility, Syllabus & Pattern

    Anapally RajeshUpdated on 23 Mar 2026, 05:09 PM IST

    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.

    This Story also Contains

    1. What is JEST Exam 2026?
    2. Who is eligible for the JEST 2026 Examination?
    3. What is the Syllabus for the JEST Exam?
    4. When Will JEST 2026 Registration Start?
    5. What is the Exam Pattern of JEST 2026?
    6. JEST Participating Colleges List 2026
    What is JEST Exam 2026: Complete Guide to Eligibility, Syllabus & Pattern
    What is JEST Exam 2026

    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.

    What is JEST Exam 2026?

    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.

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    Academic Programmes Offered by JEST 2026

    • 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

    Who is eligible for the JEST 2026 Examination?

    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.

    JEST 2026 Eligibility Criteria

    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

    JEST 2026 Age Limit Criteria

    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.

    What is the Syllabus for the JEST Exam?

    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.

    Subjects of JEST 2026 Syllabus

    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

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    When Will JEST 2026 Registration Start?

    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.

    How to fill the JEST application form 2026?

    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

    JEST Registration 2026 fees

    Category

    Application fee

    SC/ST and PwD applicants

    Rs. 600

    All other applicants

    Rs. 1200

    What is the Exam Pattern of JEST 2026?

    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.

    JEST 2026 Exam Pattern

    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

    JEST Participating Colleges List 2026

    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.

    JEST 2026 Participating Colleges

    S.No

    Name of the College

    1

    Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences, Nainital

    2

    Bose Institute, Kolkata

    3

    Harish-Chandra Research Institute, Prayagraj

    4

    Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai

    5

    Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore

    6

    Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Berhampur

    7

    Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhopal

    8

    Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata

    9

    Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali

    10

    Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune

    11

    Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Thiruvananthapuram

    12

    Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Tirupati

    13

    Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore

    14

    Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram

    15

    Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam

    16

    Institute for Plasma Research, Gandhinagar

    17

    Institute of Physics, Bhubaneswar

    18

    Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune

    19

    International Centre for Theoretical Sciences, Bangalore

    20

    National Centre for Radio Astrophysics- TIFR, Pune

    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

    Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata

    26

    Satyendra Nath Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata

    27

    Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai

    28

    The Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai

    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)

    Q: Is the JEST 2026 exam conducted in online mode?
    A:

    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.

    Q: Who is eligible for the JEST 2026 exam?
    A:

    Students who completed their bachelor’s or master's in Physics / Mathematics or Computer Science will be eligible to apply for the JEST exam.

    Q: Is JEST only for physics students?
    A:

    The Joint Entrance Screening Test will be held to offer admissions for Physics and Computer Science subjects.

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