Last Verified: 2026-03-01 from official conducting body notifications.
Official Overview & Examination Scope
Purpose, Scope & Academic Impact
JEST is recognized as a National Eligibility Test (NET) by SERB and DST. It is the common screening gateway for research admissions into India's apex autonomous research institutions: Harish-Chandra Research Institute (HRI Allahabad), Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc Chennai), Raman Research Institute (RRI Bengaluru), IUCAA Pune, SNBNCBS Kolkata, and Physical Research Laboratory (PRL Ahmedabad).
Eligibility Criteria & Academic Qualifications
Exam Pattern & Test Structure
Total: 100 Marks| Section / Paper | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A: Physics Questions | 15 MCQs (+3 marks for correct, -1 mark for wrong) | 45 Marks | Part of 3 Hours |
| Part B: Physics Questions | 10 MCQs (+3 marks for correct, 0 for wrong) | 30 Marks | Part of 3 Hours |
| Part C: Physics Questions | 25 MCQs (+1 mark for correct, -1/3 mark for wrong) | 25 Marks | Part of 3 Hours |
Negative marking applies to Part A (-1 mark) and Part C (-1/3 mark). Part B has no negative marking. Total 100 Marks.
Negative Marking Rule: Negative marking on Parts A and C only
Recommended Preparation Roadmap & Strategy
Cutoff Trends & Score Benchmark
Score of 35-45+ marks out of 100 qualifies candidates for interview shortlists across top research institutes.
Participating Institutes / Career Pathways
Frequently Asked Questions
Is JEST valid for junior research fellowship (JRF)?
Yes, qualifying JEST entitles students admitted to participating research institutes to receiving junior research fellowships (JRF) equivalent to CSIR-UGC NET norms.
Related Examinations & Pathways
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