Summary: UM-DAE Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences (CEBS) has begun online admission rounds for NEST 2026-qualified candidates who completed the CEBS registration process. The first merit list is scheduled for July 17, 2026, with fee payment due by July 20. Subsequent merit and payment rounds continue through August 4, campus reporting closes August 10, and any final offline admission round will be held on August 18, 2026.
Published: July 17, 2026
Last updated: July 17, 2026
First-round payment deadline: July 20, 2026
Campus reporting deadline: August 10, 2026
Final offline round: August 18, 2026
CEBS admission 2026: key highlights
- The admission process is for NEST 2026-qualified candidates who registered with CEBS by July 8.
- Admission is offered stream-wise in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics, using NEST rank, category, submitted stream preferences and seat availability.
- Candidates who receive an offer must pay the applicable fee within that round’s payment window to confirm admission.
- A candidate who declines or does not take an offered seat will be removed from further rounds.
- Candidates accepting a lower preference remain eligible for upgradation to a higher preference, subject to vacancies.
- Failure to report on campus by August 10 automatically cancels admission.
Important dates
| Round or action | Date |
|---|---|
| First merit list | July 17, 2026 |
| First-round payment closes | July 20, 2026 |
| Second merit list / payment closes | July 21 / July 23, 2026 |
| Third merit list / payment closes | July 24 / July 28, 2026 |
| Fourth merit list / payment closes | July 29 / July 31, 2026 |
| Fifth merit list / payment closes | August 1 / August 4, 2026 |
| Last date to report on campus | August 10, 2026 |
| Available seats for final round announced | August 11, 2026 |
| Final admission round, offline at CEBS | August 18, 2026 |
Who is affected?
This update affects candidates who qualified NEST 2026, registered on the CEBS portal before the July 8 deadline and appear in the published CEBS admission queue.
Students are considered only for the streams selected during registration, in the priority order submitted. Candidates without Mathematics in Classes 11 and 12 are not eligible for Mathematics or Physics as a major stream. Candidates without Biology in Classes 11 and 12 are not eligible for the Biology stream.
Seats and fee action
The official 2026-27 seat matrix lists 59 seats: 23 General, six General-EWS, 15 OBC-NCL, nine SC, four ST and two supernumerary seats for J&K/Ladakh candidates. The maximum stream distribution, excluding the supernumerary quota, is 14 seats each in Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics and 15 in Physics.
CEBS states that admission is confirmed only after fee payment. Candidates should use only the payment link or instructions supplied with their official offer and confirm the current category-wise fee on the CEBS admission page before paying. Keep the receipt because it is also needed if a cancellation and refund request is made.
Required student action
- Check the official CEBS admission queue and the merit list for your round.
- If offered a stream, verify the stream, category and payment deadline immediately.
- Pay the applicable fee within the round’s window to secure admission.
- Save the offer, payment receipt, NEST scorecard and CEBS communication.
- Continue checking later lists if eligible for an upgrade or not yet allotted a seat.
- If admitted, report at the CEBS campus with the required original documents by August 10.
Step-by-step instructions
- Open the official CEBS admission page.
- Open the admission queue and the latest merit list.
- Match your NEST 2026 details and verify the offered major stream.
- Follow the official payment instruction and complete payment before the round closes.
- Prepare the NEST scorecard, Class 10 and 12 marksheets, category/EWS/disability documents when applicable, identity records, photographs, migration certificate and the required undertakings and anti-ragging affidavits.
- Report to the CEBS campus at University of Mumbai, Vidyanagari, by August 10 if admitted.
- If seats remain, check the August 11 matrix and final-round instructions before travelling for the August 18 offline round.
What happens if the deadline is missed?
A candidate who does not take an offered admission and pay within the applicable window is removed from all further rounds. An admitted candidate who does not report on campus by August 10 will have the admission automatically cancelled; the resulting vacancy may be offered in the August 18 offline round.
Official links
- CEBS 2026 admission page and merit-list links
- Official CEBS admission notice
- Official admission dates PDF
- Official 2026-27 seat matrix
Frequently asked questions
Who can participate in CEBS admission rounds?
Only NEST 2026-qualified candidates who completed CEBS registration by July 8 and are included in the admission queue.
Can an admitted candidate receive a stream upgrade?
Yes. A candidate who accepts a lower preferred stream remains eligible for a higher preference in later rounds if a seat becomes available.
Is the August 18 round online?
No. The official schedule describes the final August 18 admission round as offline at the CEBS premises, subject to vacant seats.
EntranceAlert.com is an independent education information platform and is not affiliated with UM-DAE CEBS, NEST, the University of Mumbai or the Department of Atomic Energy. Check your official offer and CEBS notices before paying or travelling.
