National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) 2008

National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) 2008- Department of Atomic Energy
For the admission to 5 year M.Sc. (Integrated) Program at NISER, Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CBS Mumbai
National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar
NISER has been set up by the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India starting from academic year 2007-08 to impart high-quality science education in a vibrant academic ambience, with a faculty of distinguished teachers and scientists.
NISER offers a 5-year integrated M.Sc. Program in basic sciences after 10+2 (or equivalent) schooling. The institute has four major schools--in mathematical, physical, chemical and biological sciences. Degrees at NISER will be awarded by the Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), a Deemed-to-be University within the Department of Atomic Energy.
There will be 40 seats with reservations for SC/ST candidates and Persons with Disability (PD) as per Govt. of India norms.
UM-DAE Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (UM-DAE CBS), Mumbai
The Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India and University of Mumbai, have set up in Mumbai a new autonomous Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences from the academic year 2007-08, that offers a 5-year M.Sc. (Integrated) programme in the basic sciences.
UM-DAE CBS, Mumbai is to be an international class centre for high quality teaching embedded in a vibrant postgraduate and research environment, with some of the best teachers and scientists from major institutes in the city (TIFR, BARC, IIT Bombay) and the University on its faculty.
Candidates may apply for either NISER, or CBS, or for both. Selected candidates will receive a monthly scholarship of Rs.3000/- and an annual contingency grant.
Eligibility for admission: (i) Qualification: 60% marks for general category (55% for reserved categories and PD candidates) in aggregate (or equivalent grade) in Class XII (or equivalent) examination, from any recognized Board in India.
Students who have passed the qualifying examination in 2007 or are appearing in 2008 are eligible to apply. Where only Letter grade is available, a certificate from the Board specifying equivalent percentage marks will be required.
In the absence of such a certificate the decision of the respective admission committees will be final.
(ii) Age Limit: Candidates born on or after 01 Oct. 1983 are eligible to apply, relaxable by 5 years for reserved categories and PD candidates.
Admission Procedure: A National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) will be conducted at a number of centres in India on Sunday, 20 April 2008 by the NEST cell at UM-DAE, CBS, Mumbai.
The test will consist of five sections: (1) General (compulsory), (2) Mathematics, (3) Physics, (4) Chemistry and (5) Biology. Of sections (2-5), which will carry equal weightage of marks, any three will have to be selected.
The questions will be of objective type designed to test comprehension and analytical abilities. Appearing in NEST is compulsory for all those seeking admission to NISER and/or UM-DAE CBS. Candidates short-listed on the basis of their performance in NEST 2008 will be called for interviews that will be held, on different dates, in Bhubaneswar and Mumbai. The combined NEST and interview scores will determine the final selection.
Application form and information brochure can be downloaded from the websites (www.umdaecbs.in), (www.iopb.res.in/niser) or obtained free by sending a self-addressed envelope of size 30cmX24cm to
The Chief Coordinator - NEST2008, Annabhau Sathe Bhavan, University of Mumbai (Kalina Campus),Vidyanagari, Santacruz (E), Mumbai – 400 098.
Last date for receipt of request for application form is January 25, 2008. Completed application form along with application fee should reach The Chief Coordinator, NEST2008 at the above address not later than February 9, 2008.
Application Fee: There is a single application fee of Rs.500/- (general category male candidates)/ Rs.250/- (reserved categories /PD and all female candidates), by Demand Draft in favour of CBS-NEST, payable at Mumbai.