National Entrance Screening Test 2010 (NEST 2010)

5-year M.Sc. (Integrated) Programmes

Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India invites applications for
National Entrance Screening Test 2010 (NEST 2010) for Admission to 5-year M.Sc. (Integrated) Programmes at
UM-DAE CBS, Mumbai,
NISER, Bhubaneswar and
Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan

Institutes and Programmes in detail

UM-DAE Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (CBS), Mumbai
The Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, has set up an autonomous Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (CBS) in Mumbai. CBS offers high quality teaching embedded in a vibrant post-graduate and research environment with some of the best teachers and scientists, from major institutions in the city (TIFR, BARC, IIT, HBCSE) and the University of Mumbai and its colleges, on its faculty. The Centre is
located in the Vidyanagari campus of the University of Mumbai. CBS offers a 5-year integrated M.Sc. Programme in biological, chemical, mathematical and physical sciences. The degrees at CBS are awarded by the 150-year old University of Mumbai.

Tentatively, there are 30 seats this year with reservations as per Government norms, including reservation for persons with disability (PD). Further details are on the CBS website (http://cbs.ac.in).

National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar
NISER, established by the Department of Atomic Energy, strives to become a citadel for basic sciences and allied subjects, in terms of teaching and research. Its vision includes imparting high-quality science education in a vibrant academic ambiance to the bright, motivated students, by a faculty of distinguished scientists and teachers. The curriculum is amply supported by a strong visitor's programme by accomplished scientists from India and abroad. NISER offers a 5-year integrated M.Sc. Programme in biological, chemical, mathematical and physical sciences. At present, NISER functions from the beautiful campus of the Institute of Physics, Bhubaneswar, a renowned institute. Degrees at NISER will be awarded by the Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), a deemed-to-be University of the Department of Atomic Energy.

There are 60 seats this year, including reserved seats for SC/ST/OBC candidates and persons with disability (PD) as per Government norms. Further details are available
on the NISER website (http://niser.ac.in).

Integrated Science Education and Research Centre, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan
Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan, a Central University, has introduced a 5-year Integrated M. Sc. in the Physical Sciences (Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics) under Siksha-Bhavana (Institute of Science). The academic activities of the integrated science programme have started at the existing Siksha-Bhavana complex with the assistance of faculty members in the departments of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biotechnology and Computer & System Sciences, which have excellent research facilities. For this programme, the university uses a credit and grade-point system based completely on continuous assessment of the candidate. There are 21 seats this year, including reserved seats for SC/ST/OBC candidates and persons with disability (PD) as per Government norms. Further details are available on the Visva-Bharati website (http://visva-bharati.ac.in).

All the institutes have residential campuses with suitable accommodation and boarding facilities. The academic programmes of all the institutes have a balanced semester-based course structure with continuous assessment within a flexible, seamless curriculum designed to emphasize the interdisciplinary nature of science in the 21st century. The curriculum vigorously seeks to inculcate exploration, innovation and research so as to develop talented and motivated scientists for the country.

Meritorious candidates enrolled at CBS and NISER, whose performance at the end of the programme is above a certain threshold, may be permitted to appear directly before the selection committee of BARC for admission to BARC's training school (leading to a regular job in the Department of Atomic Energy's research centres). All candidates enrolled at CBS and NISER will receive INSPIRE, or equivalent, Fellowships, amounting to Rs. 5,000/- per month and other suitable benefits. Candidates enrolled at Visva-Bharati will be eligible to apply for INSPIRE Fellowships.

Eligibility for Admission:
1. Qualification:
General category and OBC candidates must have secured an aggregate of 60% marks (or equivalent grade) in class XII (or equivalent) from any recognized board in India. For SC/ST/PD candidates the corresponding requirement is 55% aggregate marks. Candidates must have passed the class XII (or equivalent) examination in 2008 or 2009 or must be appearing in 2010. Where only a 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 admission committee of the concerned institution will be final.

2. Age limit:
General category and OBC candidates born on or after October 1, 1985 are eligible to apply. The age limit is relaxed by 5 years for SC/ST/PD candidates.

Admission Procedure:
The National Entrance Screening Test (NEST-2010) will be conducted at 34 towns and cities all over India on Sunday, June 6, 2010. Selection of the candidates will be based on the results of the NEST-2010 examination, which will be available on June 30, 2010 at the NEST website given below.

NEST-2010 Examination:
The NEST-2010 examination will consist of five sections. Section 1 is general and compulsory for all candidates. Sections 2 to 5 will contain questions from biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics respectively. Candidates are required to attempt any two of these four sections. The NEST-2010 examination will have objective-type questions, designed to test the candidate's subject comprehension and analytic ability. (Please refer to the website / brochure for details of the scope of the NEST-2010 examination.) The duration of the examination will be three hours.

How To Apply:
Candidates may follow any of the following two channels to apply.
1. They may follow the instructions on the NEST website given below and fill up the application form on-line, take a print-out and send the same along with the application fee (in the form of a demand draft / postal order) to the address below.
2. They may send a letter to the Chief Coordinator, at the address below, requesting an application form and brochures which will be posted to them. On the receipt of the application form and brochures, the candidate may fill up the form and send the completed application form, along with the application fee (in the form of a demand draft / postal order), to the Chief Coordinator at the address mentioned below.

Application Fee:
The application fee for male general category and male OBC candidates is Rs. 500/-. The fee for male SC/ST/PD candidates and all female candidates is Rs. 250/-. The fee is to be paid in the form of a demand draft / postal order in favour of 'NEST-2010', payable at Mumbai.

Deadlines:
Last date for requesting application forms is February 16, 2010.
Last date for receipt of completed applications along with the requisite fee is March 16, 2010.
The on-line application process will also end on March 16, 2010.

Applications incomplete in any respect or not accompanied by the requisite fee will not be accepted.

Address for Correspondence:
The Chief Coordinator, NEST-2010,
UM-DAE CBS, Health Centre Building,
University of Mumbai - Vidyanagari Campus,
Santa Cruz (E), Mumbai, 400098.
Email: cco@nestexam.in
website: www.nestexam.in