IAPT NSE 2026-27 (NSEP, NSEC, NSEB, NSEA, NSEJS): Dates, Pattern

The National Standard Examinations (NSE) 2026-27 in Physics (NSEP), Chemistry (NSEC), Biology (NSEB), Astronomy (NSEA) and Junior Science (NSEJS) are conducted by the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT) as the first stage of India's Olympiad programme. NSEA is on Saturday, 21 November 2026, and NSEP, NSEC, NSEB and NSEJS are on Sunday, 22 November 2026. Registration is closed: individual online enrolment ran from 21 August to 16 September 2026, and late entries are not accepted.

Key dates

IAPT has not published an NSE result date; it says results will follow the schedule it announces.

Eligibility

Students from any recognised board, including home-schooled and open-school students, can take part if they meet the criteria. Senior students may take more than one subject, but a student cannot combine NSEJS with the senior exams. For the senior Olympiad path, HBCSE's brochure also requires that the student is eligible for an Indian passport, has been studying in India (or in the Indian school system) since 30 November 2024 or earlier, has not passed Class 12 before 30 November 2026, and will not start university studies by 1 June 2027.

Exam pattern (NSEP, NSEC, NSEB, NSEA)

Each paper lasts 2 hours and carries 216 marks in all. The syllabus is broadly the CBSE senior secondary level up to Class 12; NSEA puts more weight on Physics, Mathematics and elementary Astronomy. NSEA is offered in English and Hindi. NSEB, NSEC and NSEP are offered in English, Hindi, Gujarati, Bangla, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu, and in any other Indian language chosen by at least 300 students. The exams are pen-and-paper with OMR answer sheets at approved centres in India. IAPT's NSEJS pattern is published separately by IAPT.

Fee and centres

The enrolment fee was ₹300 per student per subject (including a ₹60 centre charge), non-refundable. Any state-recognised school or college with at least 20 students could apply to become an NSE centre, subject to approval by IAPT. Students whose own institution was not a centre could enrol directly online. Students must write the exam at the centre printed on the admit card, and a printed admit card is required for entry.

How students move to the INO

NSE is Stage I. Stage II is the Indian National Olympiad (INO), run by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), Mumbai, at about 17 centres. For each senior subject, students are split into Group A (in Class 12 on 30 November 2026) and Group B (in Class 10 or 11). The minimum target is 200 students per group for Biology, Chemistry and Physics, and 250 per group for Astronomy.

• Minimum Admissible Score (MAS): 50% of the average of the top ten scores in the subject. Every selected student must reach it.
• Merit Index (MI): 80% of the average of the top ten scores. Everyone at or above the MI qualifies for INO automatically.
• Further seats are filled with state-wise proportional representation and other clauses, including a minimum share for girls, all subject to the MAS.

Students on the INO list must register on the HBCSE website to get their INO admit card; missing this step means disqualification. The stages after INO are the Orientation-cum-Selection Camp (OCSC) and the International Olympiads in 2027. OCSC dates are to be announced by 15 January 2027.

Tips for Maharashtra students

• HBCSE, which runs the INO and the selection camps, is in Mumbai (Mankhurd).
• If you have enrolled, download the admit card from your student login and check the centre address in advance; you cannot change centres on exam day.

Frequently asked questions

When is NSEP 2026?

NSEP is on Sunday, 22 November 2026, from 8:30 am to 10:30 am. NSEC follows at 11:30 am, and NSEB and NSEJS at 2:30 pm the same day.

Can I still register for NSE 2026-27?

No. Registration closed in mid-September 2026; individual online enrolment ended on 16 September 2026 per the IAPT exam portal. The next chance is the 2027-28 cycle.

Is there negative marking in NSEP, NSEC, NSEB and NSEA?

Yes. In Section A each wrong answer loses 1 mark. Section B has no partial credit: you score only if you mark every correct option and no wrong one.

Who is eligible for NSEJS 2026?

Students born between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2013 who are in Class 8, 9 or 10. NSEJS cannot be combined with the senior NSE subjects.

When is INO 2027?

HBCSE has scheduled INAO and INChO on 30 January 2027 and INPhO and INBO on 31 January 2027. The list of qualified students will be out by 15 January 2027.

Official sources

• IAPT NSE 2026-27 exam portal
• Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT)
• HBCSE: Science Olympiad 2026-2027
• HBCSE Science Olympiad Brochure 2026-27 (English)

Last checked 24 October 2026. Dates can change; always confirm on the official website.