NEST 2026 Cutoff - Check Category-wise (General, OBC, SC, ST) Qualifying Cutoff Score

About NEST 2026 Cutoff

NEST 2026 cutoff indicates the minimum merit rank to become eligible for admission to participating institutes like NISER and CEBS. The cutoff details are typically announced along with the result and are based on Section-wise Minimum Admissible Score (SMAS) and Minimum Admissible Percentile (MAP).

You must clear SMAS in at least three subject sections for your NEST score to be considered. After this, your total score is calculated using the best three section scores only. Your performance is then converted into a percentile and compared with the declared MAP for your category. Only those meeting both SMAS and MAP criteria are assigned merit ranks and are considered for seat allocation.

Based on the past year trends, the expected NEST 2026 cutoff for NISER for the General category) may fall in the range of rank 550 to 700. It may vary depending on exam difficulty, number of examinees, reservation category, and seat availability.

NEST 2026 Cutoff for NISER (Expected)

The expected NEST 2026 cutoff category-wise for NISER is estimated based on the past years' admission round trends for the institute. The cutoff figures are indicative and may vary depending on exam difficulty and performance trends.

Factors Determining NEST 2026 Cutoff

The NEST cutoff 2026 is the minimum qualifying marks candidates must obtain to qualify for the admission counseling round. The following are the factors determining NEST 2026 cut off :

• The total number of candidates appearing for NEST 2026.
• The total number of seats available for admission.
• The difficulty level of the examination.
• Total number of candidates qualifying the NEST 2026.
• Reservation of seats
• Marking scheme of examination.

NEST 2026 Cutoff: Important Points

Below are some key points related to NEST 2026 cutoff:

• NEST 2026 cutoff details are provided along with the NEST result announcement. The cutoff rank/ mark decides who gets a merit rank and admission opportunity.
• The cutoff process is decided based on two parameters: Section-wise Minimum Admissible Score (SMAS) and Minimum Admissible Percentile (MAP).
• SMAS is calculated as 20% of the average of the best 100 scores in each subject section. Example: If the average of the best 100 scores in Physics is 40, then SMAS for Physics = 40 × 0.20 = 8 marks.
• You must clear SMAS in at least three subjects out of 4 to remain eligible. Example: If you score more than SMAS in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology but fall short in Mathematics, you are still considered SMAS-qualified.
• Additionally, please note that your total NEST score is estimated by adding the best three section scores only. Example: If your scores are Physics 18, Chemistry 16, Biology 14, and Maths 6, then Maths is ignored, and your total score becomes 18 + 16 + 14 = 48.
• After SMAS and best-three scoring, your performance is converted into a percentile, which is checked against MAP (Minimum Admissible Percentile). Example: If the MAP for your category is 95 percentile, you must score 95 or above to receive a merit rank.
• If you clear SMAS and fail to meet MAP means no merit rank is allotted, and you will not be considered for admission. Example: If your percentile is 92 while MAP is 95, you will not appear in the merit list despite qualifying SMAS.
• Only students who clear SMAS (in at least three sections) and meet the MAP percentile are assigned a merit rank, which is then used for institute-wise cutoffs.

NEST 2025 Cutoff: Section-wise Minimum Admissible Score (SMAS)

NEST cutoff SMAS indicates the minimum marks in each subject section to qualify for merit ranking. SMAS is calculated separately for the subjects assessed in the entrance exam: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. Clearing SMAS in at least three sections is mandatory for further evaluation.

Here is the NEST 2025 cutoff SMAS:

NEST 2025 Cutoff: Minimum Admissible Percentile (MAP)

The NEST cutoff MAP highlights the minimum percentile required to be included in the merit list, reflecting overall performance compared to other test takers. The admission cell issues the MAP category-wise. Meeting the MAP criterion is essential to receive a merit rank.

NEST Scoring Rule (Best-3 Sections)

Here is a quick overview of the NEST scoring rule: