Science & M.Sc Entrance Exams 2027: List, Dates, Eligibility

This page covers every major science and M.Sc entrance exam for 2027: B.Sc, integrated M.Sc and BS-MS tests after Class 12, M.Sc tests after graduation, and PhD screening tests, from IIT JAM and NEST to IISER IAT, TIFR GS, JEST and the CMI Entrance Exam.

The exam list, application status and dates below update automatically as official notices come out. The guides further down help you pick the right test for your stage: Class 12, final-year B.Sc or PhD.

Science Entrance Exams 2027: Applications Open Now

These science exams are accepting applications right now, so check the last date and apply early.

List of Science Entrance Exams 2027

The table covers national tests and state or university-level tests, at both UG (after Class 12) and PG (after graduation) level. Use the National/State and UG/PG filters to narrow it down, and open any exam for its full details.

Exam	Level	Next date	Quick links
IIT JAM 2027IIT Kharagpur	PGNational	Online applicationOpen till 19 October 2026 Open	Syllabus Papers Admit Card Result
TIFR GS 2027TIFR	PGNational	Online applicationOpen till 25 October 2026 Open	Syllabus Papers Admit Card Result
PU CET UG 2027Panjab University	UGChandigarh	NotificationNovember 2026 Expected	Syllabus Papers Admit Card Result
NEST 2027NISER	UGNational	Online applicationJanuary 2027 Expected	Syllabus Papers Admit Card Result
IISER IAT 2027IISER	UGNational	Online applicationMarch 2027 Expected	Syllabus Papers Admit Card Result
CMI Entrance Exam 2027CMI	UGNational	NotificationBy 1 February 2027 Expected	Syllabus Papers Admit Card Result
JEST 2027JEST Consortium	PGNational	JEST 2027 online applicationFebruary 2027 Expected	Syllabus Papers Admit Card Result
CCMN 2027Counselling · CCMN	PGNational	IIT JAM 2027 exam14 February 2027 Upcoming
DHR-BRET (ICMR JRF) 2027AIIMS New Delhi	PGNational	DHR-BRET-2026 noticeOctober 2026 Expected	Papers Admit Card Result
GAT-B / BET 2027NTA	UGNational	Online registrationMarch 2027 Expected	Syllabus Papers Admit Card Result
ISI Admission Test 2027ISI	UGNational	NotificationFebruary 2027 Expected	Syllabus Admit Card Result

Upcoming Science Exam Dates

Here are the next confirmed or expected dates for science entrance exams, in the order they fall.

Top Science Entrance Exams Explained

These are the national tests most science students in India consider. Each exam’s page has its eligibility, syllabus, pattern, admit card and result.

IIT JAM 2027

IIT JAM (Joint Admission Test for Masters) is the main M.Sc entrance exam in India. The IITs conduct it for M.Sc, joint M.Sc-PhD and related programmes at the IITs, and its scores are also used for integrated PhD admission at IISc and, through CCMN counselling, for M.Sc seats at NITs and other institutes. It has seven papers: Biotechnology, Chemistry, Economics, Geology, Mathematics, Mathematical Statistics and Physics. Take it in the final year of your bachelor’s degree.

NEST 2027

NEST (National Entrance Screening Test) is the entrance for the five-year integrated M.Sc programme at NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai. It is a UG-level test taken after Class 12 science. Choose it if you want a research-focused career in basic sciences straight after school.

IISER IAT 2027

The IISER Aptitude Test is the admission test for the BS-MS dual degree and related programmes at the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research. It tests Class 11 and 12 level Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. It suits Class 12 science students from both PCM and PCB backgrounds who want to study pure science.

CMI Entrance Exam 2027

Chennai Mathematical Institute holds its own entrance for B.Sc (Hons) Mathematics and Computer Science, B.Sc (Hons) Mathematics and Physics, and its M.Sc and PhD programmes. The undergraduate paper is known for proof-based, problem-solving questions rather than formula recall. It is a strong option for students who enjoy mathematics beyond the school syllabus.

ISI Admission Test 2027

The Indian Statistical Institute uses its admission test for B.Stat and B.Math after Class 12, and for postgraduate programmes such as M.Stat and M.Math. The papers focus on mathematics, so it fits students aiming for careers in statistics, data science and quantitative fields.

TIFR GS 2027

TIFR GS is the graduate school admission test of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. It covers PhD and integrated PhD (and some M.Sc) admission in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer and Systems Sciences and Science Education at TIFR and its centres. Shortlisted candidates are interviewed after the written test.

JEST 2027

JEST (Joint Entrance Screening Test) is a common screening test for PhD and integrated PhD programmes, mainly in Physics and Theoretical Computer Science, at a group of research institutes. It is meant for students who have finished, or are finishing, a B.Sc or M.Sc and want a research career.

DHR-BRET (ICMR JRF) 2027

DHR-BRET, listed here with its earlier name ICMR JRF, is a fellowship test for research in biomedical and life sciences. AIIMS New Delhi conducts it. It suits M.Sc graduates in life sciences who want a funded research position leading to a PhD.

Which Entrance Exam for Science After 12th?

Your choice depends on the course and the kind of institute you want. Use this table as a starting point, then check each exam’s page for eligibility.

If you want	Take
B.Sc at central and many state universities	CUET UG 2027
Integrated M.Sc at NISER or UM-DAE CEBS	NEST 2027
BS-MS at an IISER	IISER IAT 2027
B.Sc (Hons) Mathematics with Computer Science or Physics at CMI	CMI Entrance Exam 2027
B.Stat or B.Math at ISI	ISI Admission Test 2027
B.Sc at Panjab University, Chandigarh	PU CET UG 2027
Integrated B.Sc B.Ed to become a science teacher	RIE CEE 2027
Engineering (PCM)	JEE Main 2027 and other engineering entrance exams
MBBS, BDS or other medical courses (PCB)	NEET UG 2027 and other medical entrance exams
B.Sc Nursing	See nursing entrance exams
B.Sc Agriculture	See agriculture entrance exams

PCM students can aim for NEST, IISER IAT, CMI, ISI and CUET UG along with engineering exams. PCB students can take NEST, IISER IAT and CUET UG for pure science, alongside NEET UG. If you are looking for B.Sc Nursing or B.Sc Agriculture tests, those have their own pages linked above.

M.Sc Entrance Exams 2027: Which One After B.Sc?

There is no single M.Sc entrance exam for all colleges. Which test you need depends on where you want to study:

IITs, IISc and NITs: IIT JAM 2027, with NIT and other institute seats filled through CCMN counselling.
Central universities: CUET PG 2027, used for M.Sc admission at most central universities and several state and private universities.
State universities: state PG entrance tests such as AP PGCET 2027 and TG CPGET 2027, or a university’s own entrance test.
Specialised institutes: CMI Entrance Exam 2027 for M.Sc Mathematics, Computer Science and Data Science; ISI Admission Test 2027 for M.Stat and M.Math; TIFR GS 2027 for TIFR’s M.Sc and integrated PhD options.
M.Sc Biotechnology: IIT JAM has a Biotechnology paper, and CUET PG covers biotechnology seats at central universities. Many universities also run their own biotechnology tests.

For subject-specific searches like an M.Sc Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Zoology or Microbiology entrance exam, the answer is usually the same: IIT JAM for IITs, CUET PG for central universities and a state or university test elsewhere. If you have done B.Tech, you can also consider IIT JAM, subject to each programme’s requirements. For M.Sc Nursing, see the nursing entrance exams page.

PhD Entrance Exams in Science

PhD admission in science works through a mix of national tests, institute tests and university tests:

Research institutes: TIFR GS 2027 and JEST 2027 for Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology and Theoretical Computer Science, usually followed by an interview.
National eligibility tests: CSIR NET and UGC NET scores are widely used for PhD admission and fellowships, and GATE 2027 is accepted by many IITs and institutes for PhD in science and engineering.
Biomedical research: DHR-BRET (ICMR JRF) 2027 for life-science research fellowships.
Agricultural sciences: ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) 2027.
Universities: many central and state universities hold their own PhD entrance test, often called a PET (PhD Entrance Test), or use NET scores in place of it.

About PhD admission without an entrance exam: candidates who have qualified NET, GATE or a similar national test are often exempt from a university’s written test, but they still go through an interview and seat allotment. Be careful of any offer of “direct PhD admission” that skips the university’s official process.

B.Sc Entrance Exams by Subject

Most B.Sc admissions do not have a separate test for each subject. For B.Sc Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Biotechnology or Psychology, central universities use CUET UG 2027 with the relevant domain subjects, while many state universities and colleges admit on Class 12 marks or their own tests, such as PU CET UG 2027 at Panjab University.

A few courses work differently. Forensic science seats at specialised forensic universities are filled through their own admission tests, so check the university’s official website. For data science, look at the CMI M.Sc Data Science and the ISI programmes listed above. For BS-MS or integrated M.Sc with a research focus, the route is NEST or IISER IAT, not CUET.

Science Admission Without Entrance Exam

Many colleges, especially state university colleges and private colleges, still admit students to B.Sc on the basis of Class 12 marks, and some admit to M.Sc on graduation marks. Some private universities also run their own simple admission tests or interviews. These routes are real, but seats are limited, cut-offs can be high, and admission is never guaranteed. Always apply through the college’s official admission portal, and check whether the college or university is recognised before you pay any fee.

Eligibility for Science Entrance Exams

Level	Typical eligibility	Examples
B.Sc, BS-MS, integrated M.Sc	Class 12 with science subjects (Physics, Chemistry with Mathematics or Biology); some tests need Mathematics	NEST, IISER IAT, CMI, ISI, CUET UG
M.Sc	Bachelor’s degree with the relevant subject; final-year students can usually apply	IIT JAM, CUET PG, state PGCETs
PhD, integrated PhD	Bachelor’s or master’s degree in a relevant subject, depending on the programme	TIFR GS, JEST, DHR-BRET

Minimum marks, age limits and subject rules differ for every exam and change from year to year, so read the eligibility section on each exam’s page before you apply.

Exam Pattern and How to Prepare

Most national science tests are computer-based and use multiple-choice, multiple-select and numerical-answer questions, often with negative marking on wrong choices. CMI and ISI papers include descriptive problem-solving, and PhD tests like TIFR GS and JEST are followed by interviews. A practical plan:

Download the latest official syllabus for your exam and list every topic.
For UG tests (NEST, IISER IAT, CMI, ISI), master NCERT Class 11 and 12 concepts first, then move to harder problems.
For IIT JAM and other M.Sc tests, revise your B.Sc subject thoroughly from standard university textbooks.
Solve previous years’ papers under timed conditions; they show the level and the topics that repeat.
Take full-length mock tests in computer-based mode and review every mistake.
For PhD tests, prepare to explain your answers and project work in the interview.

Science Entrance Exam Question Papers

Practise with previous years’ question papers and answer keys of science entrance exams, available below.

Science and M.Sc Entrance Exams 2027 FAQs

Which entrance exam is required for M.Sc admission in India?

It depends on the institute. IIT JAM is the M.Sc entrance exam for the IITs, with its scores also used for NIT seats through CCMN counselling. CUET PG covers most central universities, and state universities use state PG tests or their own entrance exams.

What are the main entrance exams after 12th science for B.Sc?

CUET UG is used for B.Sc at central universities and many others. For research-focused integrated programmes, take NEST (NISER and UM-DAE CEBS) and IISER IAT (IISERs). The CMI Entrance Exam and ISI Admission Test are options for students strong in mathematics.

Can I get M.Sc admission without an entrance exam?

Yes, some state university colleges and private colleges admit M.Sc students on the basis of graduation marks. Seats are limited and admission is not guaranteed. The IITs, central universities and top institutes admit through entrance exams such as IIT JAM and CUET PG.

What is the difference between NEST and IISER IAT?

Both are taken after Class 12 science and lead to five-year research-focused programmes. NEST is for the integrated M.Sc at NISER Bhubaneswar and UM-DAE CEBS Mumbai, while IISER IAT is for the BS-MS and related programmes at the IISERs. Many students take both.

Can B.Tech graduates take IIT JAM?

In general, yes. IIT JAM is open to bachelor’s degree holders, and many programmes accept B.Tech or B.E. graduates. Each programme sets its own subject requirements, so check the IIT JAM page before choosing your paper.

Which entrance exams are used for PhD in science?

Research institutes use TIFR GS and JEST, and life-science research fellowships use DHR-BRET (ICMR JRF). CSIR NET, UGC NET and GATE scores are widely accepted for PhD admission, and many universities run their own PhD entrance test (PET).

Is there a PhD admission without an entrance exam?

Candidates who have qualified NET, GATE or a similar national test are often exempt from a university’s written PhD test, but they still face an interview. There is no genuine route that skips the university’s official selection process.

Where can I find B.Sc Nursing and B.Sc Agriculture entrance exams?

These are covered on separate pages. See the nursing entrance exams page for B.Sc and M.Sc Nursing tests, and the agriculture entrance exams page for B.Sc Agriculture and ICAR exams.

Science and M.Sc Entrance Exams 2027: List, Dates, Eligibility