What is the NSEJS cut-off?

There is no fixed cut-off. IAPT calculates a Minimum Admissible Score (50 percent of the average of the top ten scores) and a Merit Index (80 percent of that average) after each exam, and uses them with state quotas to shortlist about 300 students for INJSO.

What was the NSEJS cut-off last year?

For NSEJS 2025, held on 23 November 2025, the Minimum Admissible Score was 70 and the Merit Index was 112, out of 216 marks. The average of the top ten scores was 140.2, and 301 students were shortlisted for INJSO 2026.

Is there a state-wise cut-off for NSEJS?

IAPT shares places among states through a quota, subject to the Minimum Admissible Score. The documents we reviewed show state quotas but do not publish a separate state-wise cut-off score.

When will the NSEJS 2026 result be declared?

IAPT's brochure gives 25 December 2026 as the expected date for the first-stage result. Lists and report cards are published on the IAPT website, so check it for any change.

Science Olympiad & Talent Search

NSEJS Cut Off: How Students Qualify for INJSO

NSEJS has no fixed pass mark and no job-style cut-off. IAPT decides who moves to the second stage, INJSO, using two scores worked out from that year's results, plus state quotas. So the NSEJS cut-off changes every year with the difficulty of the paper and the strength of the top scorers.

How Qualification Works

Term	How IAPT works it out	What it means for you
Minimum Admissible Score (MAS)	50 percent of the average of the top ten scores, rounded down	The floor. Below it, you cannot be shortlisted
Merit Index (MI)	80 percent of the average of the top ten scores, rounded down	At or above it, you qualify directly
INJSO target	About 300 students	If the MI group is smaller, more places are filled state-wise and then on merit

Because both scores depend on the top ten, a harder paper lowers them and an easier paper raises them. Exact thresholds are known only after the result, which IAPT expects on 25 December 2026.

Last Cycle's Figures (NSEJS 2025)

Item	NSEJS 2025 (held 23 November 2025)
Maximum marks	216
Average of the top ten scores	140.2
MAS	70
MI	112
Students scoring at or above MAS	594
Students shortlisted for INJSO 2026	301, with an additional list published separately

These numbers are from IAPT's lists. They fit the formula, since half of 140.2 rounds down to 70 and four fifths rounds down to 112. They are last year's figures and a benchmark only, never a prediction for 2026.

State Quota, Girls and Ties

State quota: The brochure shares places among states as a proportion of the target, using each state's earlier national talent search quota, and rounds up. A minimum number of selections per state or UT applies if the MAS is met. The brochure and the booklet word this minimum differently, so check the current text.
Girls: IAPT aims for 20 percent girls in each olympiad.
Ties: Everyone tied at the last qualifying position is shortlisted.
State-wise score: The documents we reviewed give quotas but no separate published state-wise cut-off score.

Where Results and Lists Are Published

IAPT posts the lists on its yearly NSE archive page: students above the MAS, the INJSO shortlist and any additional list, centre top 10 percent, state top 1 percent and national top 1 percent. Every candidate can also download a report card. Shortlisted students are asked to register for the second stage, which is expected in the first week of February 2027.

Official website: https://iapt.org.in/

Setting a Realistic Target

Last year's MAS and MI were about 32 percent and 52 percent of the total marks. Treat these as markers, not goals. The safest plan is to aim well above the MI band by building accuracy in Part A and solid reasoning in Part B.

After INJSO

Selection for the Orientation Cum Selection Camp, held for about two weeks in April to June 2027, depends on INJSO performance. The Indian team for the International Junior Science Olympiad is chosen from the students who attend the camp.

Frequently Asked Questions

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