NSEA 2025-26: The Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT), along with the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, organizes the National Standard Examination in Astronomy (NSEA) every year.
Supported by the National Science Education Center, this Olympiad exam aims to promote the study of Astronomy and give a boost to the students' passion for the subject. The NSEA acts as the initial stage of the International Astronomy Olympiad selection process.
Annually, around 30,000 students from classes 11 and 12 take part in the NSEA. The top 1% of performers qualify to advance to the Indian National Astronomy Olympiad.
For the Academic Cycle 2025-26, NSEA registration will be held from 1st August to 20th August 2025, followed by student enrolment from 21st August to 14th September 2025. The IAPT will conduct the NSEA Olympiad on 22nd November 2025. Below is a detailed overview outlining all key information about NSEA 2025-26, including registration procedures, eligibility criteria, syllabus, exam pattern, fees, and more.
NSEA Syllabus
NSEA Full Form
The National Olympiad program follows a five-stage process, starting with an NSE examination held at nearly 1400 schools across the country and culminating with the international Olympiads at different corners of the world. NSEA stands for National Standard Examination in Astronomy.
NSEA is held to test the knowledge to assess the conceptual understanding, logical reasoning, laboratory skills, and above all, ability to apply problem-solving skills to novel situations, both theoretical and experimental and skills of students in Astronomy subject and acts as the first stage of the selection process for the International Olympiads in Astronomy.
Stages After NSEA
- NSEA: The NSEA (National Standard Examination in Astronomy) is the first stage, Students enrolling must not have completed their 12th Board exams prior to 30 November 2025.
- INAO: The Indian National Astronomy Olympiad is the second stage of the exam, and only 300 qualified students who scored higher than others are allowed to compete.
- OCSC: The Orientation cum Selection Camp selects the top 35 students from the merit list.
- PDT: The Pre-Departure Training Camp offers intensive training to the top five students selected from OCSC.
- IAO: In the final stage, students represent their school and country in the International Astronomy Olympiad on a global platform.
NSEA Previous Year Question Papers
NSEA 2025-26 Overview
In order to find and develop scientific talent in India, higher secondary school students take the National Standard Examination in Astronomy (NSEA), a national level examination.
As per the trend and previous year data, the NSEA 2025-26 Exam is scheduled to be held on 22nd November 2025. For the students who are excited to take part in the NSEA 2025-26 we have outlined below the details.
| NSEA 2025-26 Overview |
| Organization |
IAPT (Indian Association of Physics Teachers) in collaboration with HBCSE (Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education), |
| Exam Name |
National Standard Examination in Astronomy (NSEA) 2025-26 |
| Registration |
21st August to 14th September 2025 |
| NSEA 2025-26 Exam Date |
22nd November 2025 (2.30 pm to 4.30 pm) |
| Application Mode |
Online |
| Types of Questions |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) - 60 Questions |
| Total Marks |
216 |
| Negative Marking |
For each wrong response, one mark will be deducted. |
| Official Website |
https://www.iapt.org.in/ |
NSEA 2025-26 Important Dates
As the complete schedule for the National Standard Examination in Astronomy (NSEA) 2025 has been released at the official website of IAPT we have updated the same below. According to IAPT (Indian Association of Physics Teachers) the NSEA Registration process is going to start on 21st August 2025 and NSEA 2025-26 Online Registration Window will remain open till last date i.e. 14th September 2025. To have quick glimpse of the NSEA 2025-26 Important Dates refer to the below table
| NSEA 2025-26 Important Dates |
|
Centre registration start date
|
1st August 2025
|
|
Last date for NSEA 2025-26 Center registration date
|
20th August 2025 |
|
NSEA 2025-26 Student enrolment start date
|
21st August 2025
|
|
NSEA 2025-26 Student enrolment end date
|
14th September 2025
|
|
NSEA Exam Date 2025-26
|
22nd November 2025 (2.30 pm to 4.30 pm)
|
NSEA Registration 2025
IAPT will initiate the NSEA Registration Process 2025 from 21st August 2025 at https://www.iapt.org.in. The candidates can apply and pay the fees via the IAPT website after verifying their eligibility. The NSEA 2025-26 Online Application must be submitted with all necessary paperwork. It is advisable to fill complete the NSEA Registration before the deadline i.e. 14th September 2025 to avoid any kind of glitches.
NSEA Application Fee 2025-26
To complete the NSEA 2025-26 Online Registration Process, students have to pay a registration fee of Rs. 300/-. Students who advance to the next level and beyond are exempt from paying until the the final stage i.e. International Astronomy Olympiad this is a one-time cost. The NSEA registration fee 2025 can paid via online or offline mode and is non-refundable.
INAO Previous Year Question Paper
How to Apply for NSEA 2025-26
During registration, students can select their preferred language—either English or Hindi—for taking the exam. To obtain the NSEA 2025-26 registration form, follow these steps:
Contact NSEA Centers: First, students should reach out to their local NSEA centers. The IAPT has established thousands of centers in recent years. Application forms can be collected from any nearby center.
Collect and Submit the Form: Upon visiting the nearest NSEA center, students can receive the application form from the center coordinator. After filling in all the required information, the completed form should be submitted back to the coordinator.
Online Registration Option: Alternatively, students can register online by accessing the application form link provided on the official IAPT website.
Pay the Registration Fee: Whether registering offline or online, students must pay a registration fee when submitting the form.
Registration Fee Amount: The fee for registration is Rs 300/-.
Admit Card Download: Once the payment is complete, students will be able to download their NSEA admit card after it is officially released by the organizing committee.
One-Time Fee: This registration fee is a one-time payment. Students who qualify for the next round will not need to pay any additional fees for subsequent levels.
NSEA 2025-26 Exam Date Out
The NSEA 2025-26 Exam Date has been announced officially on the Indian Association of Physics Teachers' (IAPT) official website, iapt.org.en. Students who registered themselves are going to take part in the NSEA 2025-26 to be held on 22nd November 2025 between 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm at the NSEA Exam centre. The details of the exam centre and reporting time will be mentioned in the admit card.
