If you love solving complex Physics problems, the NSEP can be a great exam to test your skills. This is a national-level exam that serves as the first qualifying stage for the International Physics Olympiad. In 2026, at the 56th IPhO that took place in Bucaramanga, Colombia, all five members representing the Indian Student Team won gold medals, giving India the World’s No. 1 position in the International Physics Olympiad. For the next generation of students, this achievement is more than a headline; it shows what the journey from early preparation to international excellence can look like. That journey begins with NSEP, the first stage of India’s Physics Olympiad journey. Last year, in 2025, a total of 66,515 students enrolled and appeared for the NSEP exam via the 1,500 exam centres across India, and among them, roughly 400 top-performing students (from both Group A & Group B) got selected for the next stage, INPhO.
In this guide, we are going to explain everything you need to know about the NSEP Olympiad: exam pattern, eligibility criteria, syllabus, registration process, important dates, and the pathway from NSEP to IPhO.
The National Standard Examination in Physics (NSEP) is a national-level Physics examination conducted by the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT). Since 1987, it has been conducted to identify Class 10, 11, & 12 students with strong interest, conceptual understanding, and ability to apply problem-solving skills in Physics. More importantly, this exam is the first stage of the five-stage Indian Physics Olympiad programme. The complete five-stage pathway looks something like this:
NSEP → INPhO → OCSC → Pre-Departure Camp → IPhO
The later stages are handled jointly by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) & IAPT.
Preparing & studying for NSEP not only helps students develop early, advanced problem-solving skills & scientific clarity, but also builds a strong foundation for future competitive exams or studies in science, engineering, & technology.
Starting from the qualifier stage, NSEP, to the final test, IPhO, there are a total of five stages in the whole journey. Every stage tests in-depth conceptual understanding, analytical skills, & problem-solving abilities.
| Event | Dates |
| Centre Registration | August 1, 2026 to August 20, 2026 |
| Student Registration | August 21, 2026 to September 14, 2026 |
| NSEP Exam Date | November 22, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Exam Time | 8.30 AM to 10.30 AM |
| NESEP Result Date | December 25, 2026 (Expected) |
| INPhO | February, 2027 (Expected) |
As per IAPT’s requirements, for NSEP 2026, students must be in Class 10, Class 11, or Class 12 as of November 30, 2026, provided they meet the prescribed DOB requirement.
Complete Eligibility Criteria at a Glance:
| Parameters | Eligibility Criteria |
| Educational Qualification | 10, 11, & 12 as of Nov 30, 2026 |
| Age Limit | Must be born between July 1, 2007 & June 30, 2012 |
| Nationality | Must hold or meet the requirements to hold an Indian passport |
| Class Upper Limit | Must not complete Class 12 or start University education before Jan 1, 2026 |
| Residential | Must be residing & studying in a school under the Indian education system as of November 30, 2024 or prior |
NSEP Olympiad, scheduled for November 22, 2026, is a 2-hour-long (120 minutes) examination. The question paper is segmented into 2 sections: Group A & Group B, and both sections have different types of marking schemes.
NSEP 2026 Question Pattern:
| Sections | No. of Questions | Marks | Negative Marking |
| Group A | 48 | 144 (+3 per question) | -1 per incorrect answer |
| Group B | 12 | 72 (+6 per question) | No negative marks |
| Total | 60 | 216 | - |
With a focus on, the NSEP 2026–27 syllabus closely resembles the CBSE curriculum for Classes 11 and 12. are among the subjects covered. Although the curriculum is in line with physics taught in schools, it is more challenging and calls for more in-depth conceptual integration and analytical thinking. Questions based on observational and experimental skills may also be included in the test.
The official NSEP guideline states that the Physics syllabus is broadly equivalent to senior-secondary school Physics up to and including Class 12 CBSE Physics. However, the question paper goes much deeper than the regular school exams, demanding conceptual clarity, analytical thinking, observational skills, and application-based problem-solving. Chapters like Modern Physics, Thermodynamics, Electrostatics, Optics, Waves & Oscillations, Current Electricity, Mechanics, & Magnetism take up most of the syllabus.
As per IAPT 2026 guidelines, students need to pay the registration fee of ₹300 for NSEP.
There are two ways students can register for NSEP:
NSE Centre Registration Process:
Individual Student Online Registration Process:
All in all, the NSEP Exam is the first stage of India's national Physics Olympiad pathway and provides ambitious students with an opportunity to test their Physics ability at the national level. The registration process for this examination must be followed by all aspirants step-by-step carefully who wish to appear in the Physics Olympiad program organized in India.
Yes, NSEP is significantly more difficult, especially when compared to a standard school Physics exam, even when the syllabus is broadly aligned, because it tests application, reasoning, and unfamiliar problem-solving rather than straightforward recall.
Yes. As per IAPT guidelines, students in Class 10, 11, or 12 can appear for the NSEP 2026, provided they meet other eligibility criteria.
NSEP 2026 is scheduled for Sunday, November 22, 2026, from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM.
IPAT has set the registration fee for NSEP at ₹300 per student.
No, IAPT NSEP does not provide any scholarship award directly. However, IPAT separately has limited scholarships for students pursuing Physics under specified conditions.
There are 60 questions in NSEP in total: 48 in Group A and 12 in Group B.
Yes. Group A has negative marking of 1 for each incorrect answer, but Group B has no negative marking.
NSEP demands more than just rote memorisation of Physics formulas. The examination is intended to assess: