JEST is a premier national level examination conducted annually in PHYSICS and THEORETICAL COMPUTER SCIENCE at various exam centers. The JEST score is used by the participating institutes of JEST together with their respective eligibility criteria to shortlist candidates for PhD, Integrated PhD, and MSc programs in Physics; PhD and Integrated PhD programs in Theoretical Computer Science; and PhD program in Computational Biology. The examination will be at the level of MSc, or an advanced BSc in Physics and Computer Science.

The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), previously known as the Science & Engineering Research Board (SERB) (statutory body established through an Act of Parliament), recognizes JEST as a National Eligibility Test (NET) in their office Memo vide OM No.SB/S9/Z-01/2015.  Fellows working in SERB programs and qualified in NET are eligible to get appropriate fellowship.

The non-refundable application fee for JEST 2026 examination is:

• Rs. 600/- for SC/ST and PwD applicants
• Rs. 1200/- for all other applicants