The National Standard Examination in Physics (NSEP 2025-26) is one of the most prestigious exams for school students in India. Conducted every year by the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT), it serves as the first step towards representing India at the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO).
More than 2,00,000 students from 1,500+ centers participate in this exam annually.
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NSEP 2025-26 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | National Standard Examination in Physics (NSEP 2025) |
| Conducting Body | IAPT (Indian Association of Physics Teachers) |
| Registration Dates | 21st Aug – 14th Sept 2025 |
| Exam Date | 23rd November 2025 (Sunday) |
| Exam Time | 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM |
| Mode of Exam | Pen & Paper |
| Application Fee | ₹200/- |
| Official Website | iapt.org.in |
NSEP 2025-26 Important Dates
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| Centre Registration | 1st – 20th August 2025 |
| Student Enrolment | 21st Aug – 14th Sept 2025 |
| Exam Date | 23rd Nov 2025 (Sunday, 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM) |
| Result Declaration | January 2026 |
NSEP 2025-26 Eligibility
✔ Must hold an Indian Passport
✔ Date of Birth between 1 July 2006 – 30 June 2011
✔ Must be studying in India (Class 11th / 12th)
✔ Should not have completed Class 12 Board Exam before 30 Nov 2025
✔ Should not be enrolled in any University before June 2025
✔ Cannot appear in NSEJS (Junior Science) in the same year
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Stages After NSEP
1️⃣ NSEP – National Standard Examination in Physics
2️⃣ INPhO – Indian National Physics Olympiad
3️⃣ OCSC – Orientation cum Selection Camp
4️⃣ PDT – Pre-departure Training Camp
5️⃣ IPhO – International Physics Olympiad
NSEP Exam Pattern 2025
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Part 1 → 48 Single Correct MCQs
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Part 2 → 12 Multiple Correct MCQs
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Marking Scheme → +3 marks for correct, -1 for wrong
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Total Marks → 216
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Languages Available → English, Hindi + other Indian languages (if 300+ students opt)
NSEP 2025 Syllabus
The syllabus is based on CBSE Class XI & XII Physics.
| Chapter | Important Topics | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Geometrical Optics | Lens, Refraction by spherical surface, Refraction by Prism, Spherical mirror, Refraction in general, Refraction at the plane surface, TIR | 39 |
| Alternating Current | Power consumed in AC circuit, Resonance | 12 |
| Capacitor | Capacitor with dielectric, Combination of capacitors | 6 |
| Centre of Mass, Momentum & Collision | Head-on collision, Motion of COM | 12 |
| Circular Motion | Kinematics of circular motion, Circular motion in vertical plane | 9 |
| Current Electricity | Instruments, Power, Energy, Battery, EMF, Terminal voltage, Kirchhoff's law | 21 |
| Electromagnetic Field | Magnetic field due to earth & magnets, Straight wire, Ring; Magnetic force & torque on loop, Dipole moment, Magnetic force on a charge | 21 |
| Electromagnetic Induction | Self-inductance EMF, Magnetic energy density | 3 |
| Electrostatics | Coulomb’s law, Electric potential & potential difference, Flux calculation & Gauss’s law, Conductors & properties, Electric pressure | 12 |
| Semiconductor | Diode, Logic Gates, Transistors | 12 |
| Work, Power, Energy | Work done by variable force, Work-energy theorem | 12 |
| Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM) | Equation of SHM, Spring-mass system | 9 |
| Thermodynamics | First law of thermodynamics, RMS velocity, Kinetic energy | 9 |
| Heat Transfer | Thermal conduction in linear conductors | 9 |
| Modern Physics – I | Electronic transition in H/H-like species, Photoelectric effect, X-ray | 9 |
| Miscellaneous | Miscellaneous topics | 9 |
| Newton’s Laws of Motion | Calculation of force & acceleration | 6 |
| Fluids | Archimedes principle, Buoyant force | 6 |
| Rectilinear Motion | Equations of motion, Motion under gravity | 6 |
| Sound Waves | Doppler effect, Organ pipes, Resonance | 6 |
| Gravitation | Universal law of gravitation | 3 |
| Rotation | Moment of inertia | 3 |
| Surface Tension | Excess pressure in drops & bubbles | 3 |
| Wave Optics | YDSE with monochromatic light | 3 |
Benefits of NSEP
🏅 Gold Medal → Top 35 students
🎓 Scholarships → For students pursuing B.Sc. Physics
📄 Merit Certificates → Top 1% nationally
🚀 Direct Interview → For DAE (Department of Atomic Energy) recruitments
Result & Selection
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Result Date → January 2026
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Top students (State-wise quota + Merit list) move to INPhO.
👉 Tip for Students:
If you clear NSEP 2025, you become eligible for higher Olympiad stages (INPhO, OCSC) and also get access to exclusive preparation resources.
AcadXL Note:
To boost your preparation, practice CBSE XI & XII Physics deeply, attempt NSEP test Series, and revise previous year papers.

