Joint Entrance Screening Test Exam

The test scores are used by several institutions to shortlist candidates for M.Sc. for Physics as well as Ph.D and Integrated Ph.D Programmes in diverse areas related to Physics (Astronomy & Astrophysics, Atmospheric Sciences, Computational Biology, Condensed Matter Physics, High Energy, Material Sciences, Neuroscience, Nuclear & Accelerator Physics, Plasma Research, Quantum Optics, Quantum Information, etc). and in Theoretical Computer Science. The examination will be at the level of M.Sc. or an advanced B.Sc. in Physics or Computer Science. There is no strict eligibility criteria for appearing in JEST. However, each of the participating Institutions followed its own individual eligiblity and selection process, based on specific requirements and specialization.

Qualifying in JEST does not automatically entite a fellowship. Candidate should apply separately to Ph.D Programmes in Institutions of thier choice, as and when advertised. Applicants shortlisted based on their JEST scores may go through an interview before final selection. To know more about specific topics of research, eligibility criteria and selection process, applicants are advised to visit the website of the respective institution.

The Science & Engineering Research Board (SERB) recognizes JEST as a National Eligibility Test (NET). NET qualified fellows working in SERB programmes are eligible for an appropriate fellowship.

JEST Participating Institutes 

• Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) 
• Bose Institute
• Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai (HBNI)
• Harish-Chandra Research Institute, Prayagraj (HRI) 
• International centre for theoretical sciences-TIFR-Bengaluru (ICTS) 
• Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam (IGCAR)
• Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru (IIA) 
• Indian Institute of Science (IISc) 
• Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal 
• Indian Institute of Science Education and Reserach (IISER), Berhampur
• Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Kolkata 
• Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali 
• Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune
• Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Thiruvananthapuram
• Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram
• The Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai (IMSc) 
• Institute of Physics, Bhubaneswar (IOP) 
• Institute for Plasma Research, Gandhinagar (IPR) 
• Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune (IUCAA)
• Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru (JNCASR) 
• National Brain Research Centre, Gurgaon (NBRC) 
• National Centre for Radio Astrophysics, TIFR, Pune (NCRA-TIFR) 
• National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar (NISER) 
• Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad (PRL) 
• Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology, Indore (RRCAT) 
• Raman Research Institute (RRI) 
• Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata (SINP)
• Satyendra Nath Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata (SNBNCBS)
• TIFR Centre for Interdisciplinary Sciences (TIFR-TCIS)
• Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai (TIFR) 
• Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Hyderabad (TIFR)
• UGC-DAE Consortium for Scientific Research, Indore (UGC-DAE CSR) 
• Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata (VECC) 

JEST 2025 Exam Highlights

The table below summarises the JEST Exam's features and Information:

JEST 2024 Exam Dates (Revised)

The Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST) 2025 is a national-level examination for candidats seeking admission to Ph.D.

and integrated Ph.D. Programs in Physics, Theoretical Computer Science, Neuroscience  and Computational Biology.

The JEST 2025 exam is now going to be held on 06 April, 2025, Earlier it was schedule on 23rd February, 2025. Candidates who wish to appear for the JEST 2025 exam can visit the official website - jest.org.in and register for the exam.

The JEST 2025 exam is scheduled to be held on 06th April, 2025 (Revised) across various test centers in India. Known as the "National Eligibility Test for Service," JEST evaluates candidates' aptitudes, analytical skills and subject expertise. The JEST 2025 Application form will be available on the official website - jest.org.in, from January, 2025. The conductng body has announced the JEST Exam date 2025. The JEST 2025 examination will be held on 06th April, 2025 (Revised). Candidates who meet all the eligibility criteria have to start filling up and submitting applications for JEST 2025 which via online mode only.

JEST 2025 Application Process

The official URL for the JEST 2025 exam will be generated shortly. Candidates could submit their applications for JEST 2025 online. After completing the application form, customers must pay the application cost, which can be done online with a credit/debit card or using the netbanking. Payment for application fees will be accepted online.

The first step in completing the JEST Application form 2025 is to register by providing basic personal and contact information. Following that, candidates must log in using their registration credentials and fill out the application form with educational details, exam city preferences, courses and colleges, and upload documents, photographs and signatures.

The application cost must be paid as the first step.

JEST 2025 - The registrations will take place from January, 2025. Aspirants have started filling up and submitting applications for JEST 2025 via online mode only. One should create an account using a valid email-id and the same email-id should be used to apply online. 

Candidates have to submit the application form through the created account. After submission, a unique submission number will be sent to the email-id. Use the same number to register for the JEST examination. Once the online application form is submitted, no further changes will be accepted.

JEST 2025 Eligibility Criteria

To appear for the Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST) conducted by the Science & Engineering Research Board (SERB), candidates should meet all the prerequisites set by the participating institutes, which have their own eligibility criteria. Applicants who are expected to complete their final examinations by August of each year are also eligible to appear for the JEST exam of that year.

The General JEST 2025qualifying criteria for M.Sc, PhD and Integrated/M.Sc./M.Tech - PhD Programs are listed below. Candidates are recommended to visit the official website fo the particular universities / Institutes to read specific eligibility criteria for admission in programs offered at colleges accepting JEST Scores for admission

Candidates are advised to visit the official websites/advertisements of the participating institutes for the detailed eligibility criteria. For admission to PhD programme in Physics, candidates should possess M.Sc. in Physics from any of the participating institutes. Some institutes even accept BE/B.Tech/M.Sc/ME/MTech in disciplines of Applied Physics and Mathematics. Click here to know more about the JEST eligibility criteria. 

JEST Exam Pattern

Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST) is a pen and paper based test and conducted in a single session. The official website has released the sample paper for Physics, which is divided into three parts.

The distribution of questions will be 15, 10 and 25 for Part A, B and C, respectively. The maximum number of marks is 100. 

Candidates are also advised to be aware of the marking scheme prior to JEST preparation. The JEST exam is conducted at 36 test locations spread across the country. 

JEST 2025 Exam Pattern, the paper consisted of 50 questions. The test paper will be divided into two parts and will contain multiple-choice questions. Candidates are scored out of 300 points on the JEST Exam.

JEST 2025 Courses Offered

The following are the courses to which candidates can gain admission based on their JEST Results

JEST 2025 Syllabus

The examination authorities will release the JEST 2025 syllabus along with the information in January, 2025. Mathematical Methods, Classical Methods, Electromagnetism & Optics, Quantum Mechanics, Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics, and Electronics are among the disciplines tested. The curriculum is the same as in prior years.

JEST 2025 Mock Test

The Exam authorities distribute the JEST 2025 mock test or demo test after the online applications are completed, along with the admission card. The official mock test contains nine questions. Aspirants may also solve the JEST Sample Papers provided on the page. JEST Practice exams would students with an overview of the types of questions, themes, difficulty level, and so forth.

After completing and analysing the JEST 2025 mock tests, aspirants will have a better understanding of their strengths and limitations, as well as areas of Progress, and will be able to build an exam-taking plan based on this.

JEST Application Fee

Candidates should pay an application fee of INR 800. The application fee for SC/ ST/ Male applicants is INR 400 & Non-SC/ST Female Applicants. However, the application fee is waived for female applicants belonging to SC/ST. One should pay the application fee using debit/credit cards and net-banking. 

JEST 2025 Question Paper

Because JEST is a Paper-pencil based examination (PBT), the exam authorities will provide the Question Paper on the day of the exam. After the exam, applicants will be permitted to take the JEST Question Paper with them. Aspirants wishing to take the JEST exam next year might practice by collecting prior years' question papers from former exam takers or students from participating Institutes. Solving Previous year's question papers in essential for exam success.

JEST Admit Card 

The JEST 2025 admission card will be made available on the official website. JEST 2025 admit cards must be acquired from the official website using their registration number and password. Candidates who registered for the Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST) 2025 can download their admit card from the official site. Candidates' names roll numbers, contact information, photographs and signatures, exam date and time, exam centre address, and exam day instructions would be included. The JEST 2025 Admit Card or hall ticket is a required document to be brought to the exam centre.

Candidates need to know that the JEST admit card 2025 will be available only on the official website. The official website reads that no separate JEST admit card 2025 would be sent to candidates via email/post. 

JEST Question Papers

Candidates should start their preparation by exploring the sample papers available on the official website.

We have published the sample papers for both Physics and Theoretical Computer Science (TCS). The sample question papers will assist aspirants in familiarising with the test format besides knowing the weightage of the topics.

JEST 2025 Exam Centres

SERB has announced the list of JEST 2025 test cities, as well as the notification and information booklet. JEST is expected to be held in 40 test cities across thecountry.

JEST Preparation Tips

The JEST Preparation Process must be rigorous and disciplined. The JEST preparation process takes a least six to eight months. Because JEST in a PhD-level exam, candidates must have extensive topic expertise. Some examples of JEST 2025 preparation are provided below:

Candidates must focus on clearing the concepts

They must refer to the appropriate preparation literature and keept it to a few, as excessive knowledge cramming may lead to more perplexity.

Aspirants should take as many practice tests as they can, as well as solbe previous years' question papers.

Candidates should create a sound exam taking approach when taking mock exams in order to successfully complete the  question paper.

JEST 2025 Answer Key

The JEST 2025 answer key is likely to be provided by the examination conducting authority SERB in the first week of April 2025. Canddiates can use the official JEST answer key 2025 to estimate their results. Candidates must log in to the official website and submit their registration credentials to download the JEST 2025 Answer keys.

JEST 2025 Result

The JEST 2025 Score Card is scheduled to be released in the fourth week of April, 2025.Candidates who took the JEST 2025 exam could access their results via the official website.Candidates can also verify their JEST 2025 results by entering information such as their roll number and date of birth on the exam's official website.The JEST 2025 result or scorecard would include information such as sectional and total scores, as well as candidates' All India Rank (AIR).

JEST 2024 Cut-off

Because the JEST 2025 Examination has yet to begin, candidates can view the JEST 2024 cut-off list here:

The JEST 2024 Cut-off is the minimal number of points required to advance to the next phases of the admission process.The table below shows the JEST Cut-off scores for each program last year.The JEST 2024 Cut-off is projected to remain along the same lines.When the JEST 2024 cut-off is announced on the official website, it will be posted here.

JEST 2025 Counselling

The JEST 2025 Counselling process will be handled separately by the participating Institutes.Each JEST 2025 participating institute released a shortlisted of candidates for interview based on the cut-off marks , and they were then required to attend the interview rounds.The interview dates and location will be announced by the participating institutes, along with the shortlisted candidates, and will be communicated via email and SMS.The Institute officials evaluated candidate's topic expertise, academic rigour, and aspirants during the interview stages.

JEST 2025: List of Colleges accepting Scores (Expected)

The JEST test is a mechanism for aspirants to get admission to PhD and integrated PhD Programs.Examine the list of JEST participating colleges provided below.