Applications have been invited for the Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST), a premier national level examination conducted annually in Physics and Theoretical Computer Science.

Programs: The test scores are used by the participating institutes of JEST as per their respective eligibility criteria to shortlist candidates for MSc, PhD and Integrated PhD programmes in Physics; PhD and Integrated PhD programmes in Theoretical Computer Science and PhD programme in Neuroscience and Computational Biology.

The Science & Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body established through an Act of Parliament, has recognized JEST as a National Eligibility Test (NET). Fellows working in SERB programmes and qualified in NET are eligible to get appropriate fellowship.

Participating Institutions: (i) Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences, Nainital (ARIES) (ii) Bose Institute, Kolkata (iii) Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai (HBNI) (iv) Harish-Chandra Research Institute, Allahabad: Theoretical Physics, Astrophysics (HRI) (v) International centre for theoretical sciences (TIFR), Bangalore (ICTS) (vi) Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam (IGCAR) (vii) Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore (IIA) (viii) Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (IISc) (ix) Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal (x) IISER, Berhampur (xi) IISER Kolkata (xii) IISER Mohali (xiii) IISER Pune (xiv) IISER Thiruvananthapuram (xv) IISER Tirupathi (xvi) The Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai (IMSc) (xvii) Institute of Physics, Bhubaneswar (IOP) (xviii) Institute for Plasma Research, Gandhinagar (IPR) (xix) Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune (IUCAA) (xx) Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore (JNCASR) (xxi) National Brain Research Centre, Manesar (NBRC) (xxii) National Centre for Radio Astrophysics, TIFR, Pune (NCRA-TIFR) (xxiii) National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar (NISER) (xxiv) Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad (PRL) (xxv) Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology, Indore (RRCAT) (xxvi) Raman Research Institute, Bangalore (RRI) (xxvii) Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata (SINP) (xxviii) Satyendra Nath Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata (SNBNCBS) (xxix) TIFR Centre for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Hyderabad (TIFR-TCIS) (xxx) Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai (TIFR) (xxxi) UGC-DAE Consortium for Scientific Research, Indore (UGC-DAE CSR) (xxxiii) Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata (VECC).

Eligibility: Depending on the institution and course, those with Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree such as BSc (Major/Hons), B.E., B.Tech., M.Sc., M.E., M.Tech., M.C.A. (in specified subjects/branches) are eligible for admission to various Programs. Those interested in admission must visit the websites/advertisements of the participating institutes for specific topics of research and eligibility criteria in detail.

An outline of the eligibility conditions for different institutions participating in JEST 2025 is given at https://www.jest.org.in/. There is no restriction on the number of times one can appear for JEST. There is generally no restriction on age for appearing in the JEST examination. However, each participating institute may have its own eligibility criteria.

Date and Scheme: JEST 2025 is scheduled to be conducted from 2 pm to 5 pm on June 22, 202 5 (Sunday). The list of examination cities is given at the website. On can appear for the JEST examination in Physics or Theoretical Computer Science but not for both. In each, a common examination is conducted for Ph. D. and integrated Ph. D. programs. The examination will be at the level of MSc or an advanced BSc in Physics or Computer Science. The questions are based on the general syllabi of graduation and post-graduation level courses offered by various Indian universities and institutions. Some questions from previous year's examinations are available at the website.

Validity: The score for JEST 2025 will remain valid till the date of declaration of results of JEST 2027.

Application: Application can be submitted at https://www.jest.org.in/, latest by 11.55 pm on May 30, 2025.

Application fee is Fully waived for female applicants belonging to the SC/ST category. It is Rs. 475/- for (i) all female applicants not belonging to the SC/ST category (ii) for SC/ST (male), EWS, differently abled applicants. It is Rs. 950/- for all other applicants. Payment can be done online using debit card/credit card/Net-banking/UPI only.

Bose Institute, Kolkata is the organising institution for JEST-2025. The organizers for JEST-2025 may be reached at jest2025info@jcbose.ac.in. Helpdesk Email ID: jesthelpdesk2025@gmail.com