NSEJS 2026, explained clearly.
The National Standard Examination in Junior Science is the first screening stage in India’s Junior Science Olympiad pathway. This page brings together the current dates, eligibility rules, paper pattern and official sources.
- Official-source links
- Information first
- Dates clearly labelled
Four useful starting points.
Each page is written as a reference guide, with direct links to the official notices used.
Dates to save.
IAPT may issue later notices. Where a notice conflicts with a summary, the latest official notice applies.
- NSE centre registration
Recognised schools and eligible institutions register as examination centres.
- Student enrolment opens
Students may enrol through a registered centre or by the individual online route on IAPT’s portal.
- Student enrolment closes
The published examination fee is Rs 300 and is non-refundable.
- NSEJS examination
The two-hour paper runs from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM at the allotted centre.
- Expected first-stage result
The IAPT booklet lists this as the expected result date; students should check the official portal for confirmation.
Check every condition before paying the fee.
The 2026 student brochure makes the student responsible for satisfying all eligibility rules. A later finding of ineligibility can lead to disqualification without a fee refund.
Open the plain-language eligibility checker →- Class: studying in Class 8, 9 or 10 on 30 November 2026.
- Date of birth: 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2013, both dates inclusive.
- Passport eligibility: eligible to hold an Indian passport.
- Residence and schooling: residing and studying in India, in an Indian school system, since 30 November 2024 or earlier.
- Class 10 board: not completed, or scheduled to complete, the Class 10 board examination before 30 November 2026.
- Same-cycle restriction: not appearing in NSEA, NSEB, NSEC or NSEP 2026.
60 questions, two marking rules.
The current IAPT booklet lists 216 total marks and a two-hour duration.
One correct option. +3 for a correct answer and -1 for an incorrect answer.
One or more correct options. +6 only when every correct option and no incorrect option is marked. No negative marking.
Broadly equivalent to CBSE Science up to and including Class X, with Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
A threshold is not a guaranteed cutoff.
The published process combines national scores with state and UT representation rules. Families should use the final IAPT shortlist, not predicted cutoffs.
Minimum Admissible Score
50% of the average of the top ten NSEJS scores, rounded down. A student must meet this threshold to be considered under the selection clauses.
Merit Index
80% of the average of the top ten NSEJS scores, rounded down. Students at or above MI automatically qualify, subject to eligibility.
Published target
The 2026 brochure states a target of 300 students for INJSO. Ties and the applicable representation clauses can affect the final count.
NSEJS is the first of five stages.
Since 2022-23, IAPT has handled the Junior Science stages from NSEJS through the international-team process.
The IAPT booklet describes the first week of February 2027 as a probable INO window. Treat it as tentative until the official Junior Science portal publishes the INJSO notice.
Verify important decisions at the source.
These are the official pages and documents used for the 2026 information on this website.