1. Can I trust the information elsewhere regarding JEST 2026?
Please visit ONLY the official JEST 2026 website (https://www.jest.org.in) for CORRECT and the most up-to-date information. There are numerous websites which report misinformation.
2. Is JEST an online exam?
JEST is not an online exam. It is a digital or Computer Based Test (CBT); not an Internet-Based Test (IBT). Candidates will read the questions on a computer terminal and choose an answer by clicking on the correct option.
3. How is the computer-based format different from the paper-based format?
In the computer-based format, you click on the correct answer or type it. Additionally, a timer on the screen tells you the remaining time. In the paper-based format, you use a pencil to darken ovals on an answer-sheet.
4. Can I take the exam from any computer?
No. A candidate must take the exam on a workstation assigned at the test center based on the selections made during registration. The list of exam centers are available here.
5. In which academic disciplines is the JEST examination conducted?
In a given year, you can appear for the JEST in Physics or Theoretical Computer Science but not for both.
6. Are there different JEST exams for admission in PhD, Integrated PhD & MSc programs?
No. A common JEST exam is conducted for PhD, Integrated PhD, and MSc programs.
7. Which institutes offer a PhD Degree in Theoretical Computer Science?
Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc), Chennai, is the only institution currently offering a PhD in Theoretical Computer Science. Please visit the IMSc webpage (https://www.imsc.res.in) for more information.
8. Which institutes offer a PhD Degree in Computational Biology?
IMSc Chennai offers a PhD in Computational Biology. Note that JEST is meant for students from a Physics background to take up research in this field; interested students must take the PHYSICS JEST examination. Please visit the IMSc webpage (https://www.imsc.res.in) for more information.
9. What degrees does one receive in the Integrated PhD program in Theoretical Computer Science?
Candidates receive an MSc degree upon completing the course requirements in the first two years and a PhD degree upon completing graduate school.
10. Where can I get sample question papers? syllabus?
The official JEST website https://www.jest.org.in has the Physics Syllabus, Physics Sample question paper, and Theoretical Computer Science preparation material.
For easy reference, they are linked below.
11. What is the validity period of the JEST score?
The score for JEST 2026 will remain valid till the date of declaration of results of JEST 2028.
12. Who is eligible to take the test under the PwD category?
As per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD Act 2016), persons with benchmark disabilities qualify for reservation of seats under PwD category.
“Person with benchmark disability” means a person with not less than forty percent (40%) of a specified disability where specified disability has not been defined in measurable terms and includes a person with disability where specified disability has been defined in measurable terms, as certified by the certifying authority.
“Specified disability” means the disabilities as specified in the Schedule of the RPwD Act 2016. The categories of disability are:
- Hearing Handicapped (HH)
- Orthopedically Handicapped - One Leg (OHOL)
- Orthopedically Handicapped - One Arm (OHOA)
- Blindness
- Low-vision
- Leprosy Cured persons
- Hearing Impairment (deaf and hard of hearing)
- Locomotor Disability
- Dwarfism
Candidates are advised to go through the RPwD Act 2016 carefully to ascertain if they belong to the PwD category.
13. Are there any special provisions for Person with Disability candidates?
Yes, there are special provisions for PwD candidates as per the RPwD Act, 2016.
14. Under which categories can I apply for JEST?
You can apply under General, EWS, Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Class (OBC).
15. What are the timings to contact the Candidate Helpdesk?
These details will be available in the "Contact Us" page once the application link is open.
1. Who can appear for JEST examination?
Please see the "Eligibility" page in the official website of JEST 2026.
2. I have completed my bachelor’s degree. Do I need to enter aggregate percentage or university standards?
Enter the aggregate percentage of marks obtained.
3. Is there any limit to the number of times one can apply?
No, there is no restriction on the number of times one can appear for the JEST examination.
4. Is there any age limit for taking the JEST examination?
There is no restriction on age for appearing in JEST. However, each participating institute has its own eligibility criteria. For details on the eligibility criteria of the participating institutes, candidates are advised to visit their websites. See the webpage "Participating Institutes" for the links to websites.
5. I am pursuing a BTech in Mechanical / Civil Engineering. Am I eligible?
While students pursuing a BTech degree in Mechanical/Civil engineering could appear for the JEST examination, it is important to keep a few points in mind. JEST is a screening test for admission to PhD, Integrated PhD, and MSc programs of various participating institutes in physics and theoretical computer science/computational biology. The examination is only conducted for two subjects: physics and theoretical computer science. The eligibility criteria for admission to the PhD, Integrated PhD, and MSc programs in various participating institutes are different. The candidates are advised to visit the websites of the participating institutes of their interest to know more about the eligibility criteria.
1. To apply, do I need an email-id?
Candidates must have a valid e-mail id before registering for JEST.
2. When and how do I register for JEST 2026?
Please visit the JEST 2026 website (https://www.jest.org.in) for the latest updates and application information regarding the JEST 2026 entrance examination.
3. How do I apply for JEST?
Every candidate is required to register at the registration portal which is a two-step process:
(1) Registration and (2) Declaration/Verification.
Registration is a process in which you submit basic information including your name, e-mail ID, and your phone number. Please see the screenshot below.
Clicking the "GENERATE OTP" button will open a screen with captcha. Once you fill it and submit, an OTP will be sent to your registered email id and mobile number. Submit the OTP to proceed to the next stage. To complete the registration process, verify the information you provided in the "Declaration" section.
Once the verification is completed, you can fill up the application form by clicking the link "GO TO APPLICATION."
This process has three stages. You will be asked to fill in "Personal Details," "Educational Details," and "Exam City," followed by Payment. Successful completion of the payment concludes the application procedure.
4. Can I use a friend’s email address for registration?
No. You must provide a valid and unique email address which must be maintained throughout the selection process. All correspondence pertaining to JEST 2026 and subsequent information during the selection stages of the respective Institutes will be communicated to the registered email address. Responsibilities lie with the candidate to act as per the instruction/information sent to the registered email ID from as and when sent.
5. Is it possible to fill up the form in parts?
It is strongly recommended that the registration process and application procedure are completed without a break. Nevertheless, it is possible to fill up the form in parts by logging into the application portal using your USER ID and PASSWORD, which are generated once you verify your details while registering for the exam.
6. What info is needed for "% of marks"?
Provide the aggregate marks obtained till the last exam appeared for the qualifying degree.
7. How do I obtain the admit card?
Admit cards will be available for download from the JEST registration portal a few days before the examination. Please visit the official JEST 2026 website (https://www.jest.org.in) regularly to get the latest updates. Admit cards will NOT be sent by post/email. Bring a print-out of the downloaded Admit Card and one of your photo ID cards to the examination center.
8. What details will be mentioned in the Admit Card?
All relevant details required to appear for the Exam will be mentioned.
9. Will the Admit Card be sent to me as a hard copy?
No. You must download it from the official JEST website (https://www.jest.org.in).
10. I made a mistake during registration. What should I do?
You cannot edit personal details (Date of birth, email address, mobile number etc.) entered during registration process once you confirm the submission. If you have made a mistake in these details, you must register again with a new email ID. Your JEST 2026 application will be considered for the latest registration and the Admit Card will be issued for the same. Please note that you will not receive a refund or Admit Card for your earlier registration. Failure to re-register in such circumstances may lead to nullification of your candidature. It is recommended to preview your application form before submission to ensure all the details are correct.
11. If I do not get my Admit Card, whom should I contact?
The Admit Card needs to be directly printed from the JEST 2026 website (https://www.jest.org.in) using your User ID and Password. The admit card will not be mailed to your postal address. If you are unable to view your Admit Card after logging in, please contact the JEST 2026 TCS Helpdesk available on the "Contact Us" page.
12. What if the website does not work during application?
Close your browser and try again. The site is best viewed in Firefox, Chrome, or Microsoft Edge browsers.
13. I changed my name legally. Which name should I enter?
Enter your changed name and provide supporting documents during examination and admission.
14. What if I lost my password or SMS?
Use "Forgot User ID/Password" on the login page of the application portal to receive details via your registered email.
15. What if I am not able to locate my user ID?
Click "Forgot User ID/Password" on the login page of the application portal and enter your registered email to receive your User ID.
16. Which password should I enter if I received multiple?
Use the password contained in the most recent Email you have received.
17. University name is not in the drop-down list?
Select "Others" from the list.
18. Which documents are required to be uploaded?
Relevant certificates for SC, ST, or PwD applicants.
19. Which documents must I submit if I belong to SC / ST category?
If you belong to the SC or ST category, your caste/tribe must be listed in the Government of India schedule. For more information, refer the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment website (Home | Department of Social Justice and Empowerment - Government of India) and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs Affairs website (Ministry of Tribal Affairs - Government of India). Download and print the certificate, and clearly state the following:
- Name of your caste/tribe
- Whether you belong to Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe
- District and the State or Union Territory of your ordinary residence
- The appropriate Government of India schedule under which your caste/tribe is approved
- Whether Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe
- Signatures of required authorities
1. Is the application fee refundable?
No.
The non-refundable application fee for JEST 2026 examination is:
- Rs. 600/- for SC/ST and PwD*
- Rs. 1200/- for all other applicants
*As defined by the relevant laws currently in force.
Payment will be accepted through an online payment service using Debit card/Credit card/Net-banking/UPI only. Payment by any other mode will not be accepted. The application fee, once paid, will NOT be refunded.
2. How can I pay the JEST exam fee?
The JEST application fee is paid online. The last step of the application procedure is the fee payment. The payment portal is integrated into the Application Form, which will be accessible from the homepage of the JEST 2026 official website.
3. What should I do if there is a payment failure?
Please check your account if any amount is deducted. If the payment failed and the amount is not deducted, or, if the amount is deducted, but the it was returned to your account (verify this by checking your bank statement), please make the payment again.
4. Amount is deducted but receipt is not generated?
Please confirm that the deducted amount has not returned to your account (verify this by checking your bank statement). If the amount is deducted from your account and the receipt is not generated, please email to us (jest2026tcs@labs.iisertirupati.ac.in) the transaction details with Bank Transaction ID and Application Number.
5. What payment modes are available?
Debit card, Credit card, Net-banking, and UPI.
1. From where can I get the list of exam centers?
Available on the "Exam Centers" page of the official JEST website.
2. Where can I select my preference of shift and date?
The Exam Date and Exam Shift are uniform for all candidates.
3. Can I bring a calculator to the center?
No. Books, charts, graph sheets, tables, calculators, mobile phones, digital diaries and electronic communication gadgets/computing devices etc. are NOT allowed in the examination hall.
4. What is the level of questions in the examination?
The questions are based on the general syllabi of graduation and post-graduation level courses offered by various Indian universities and institutions. The JEST syllabus can be found at the homepage of the JEST official website. JEST question papers are not made available officially. However, some questions from previous year's examinations are available at the homepage of the JEST official website.
5. What will be the question pattern of the JEST 2026 Physics exam?
The exam will be of 180 minutes and 100 marks. There will be three parts.
- Part A will consist of 10 multiple-choice questions. In this part, a correct answer will be given +1 mark, while a wrong answer will be given -1/3 marks.
- Part B will consist of 20 multiple-choice questions. In this part, a correct answer will be given +3 marks, while a wrong answer will be given -1 mark.
- Part C will consist of 10 numerical questions, where the answer will be a number. In this part, a correct answer will be given +3 marks; there will be no negative marking for a wrong answer.
5. What are Testing Assistive devices?
Testing Assistive devices (TA devices), also known as technical aids, are designed to directly enable candidates with disabilities to perform a particular task successfully.
6. Which testing devices are acceptable?
| Device | Justification | Who brings it? |
| Hearing Aid | Hearing Impairment | Candidate |
| Wheel Chair | Locomotive Disability/ Cerebral Palsy | Test Center, on request in Application Form |
| Magnifying Screen | Visually Impaired | Test Centre on request |
| Scribe/Reader | Visually Impaired/Locomotor disability including cerebral palsy and other disabilities. | Candidate |
7. What time extension is given to PwD candidates?
PwD candidates with or without Scribe requirement will be given a time extension of 20 minutes per hour, which comes to a total extension of one hour for the full test.
8. Who will provide the scribe/reader?
The candidate must arrange and bear the costs for the scribe/reader.
9. Is there an eligibility criterion for a scribe/reader?
There is no eligibility criterion. On the day of the test, the scribe must bring a valid proof of identity and a passport sized photograph and sign a declaration about his/her educational qualifications at the test venue.
10. What are the time slots for JEST 2026 exam?
Please visit the official JEST 2026 website regularly to get the latest update.