National Anveshika Experimental Skill Test (NAEST)
by National Anveshika Network of India (NANI)
₹50,000 Scholarship
National Anveshika Experimental Skill Test (NAEST) is a competition by National Anveshika Network of India (NANI) for students in Class 9–12, open to students across India. It is free to take part.
Mode
Hybrid
Eligibility
Class 9–12
Fee
Free
Duration
Approximately 4-5 months (June to September/October)
Format
Individual
Time needed
Varies by round: 90 minutes for screening, 4-5 days per experiment for prelims, and multi-day physical rounds for semifinals and finals
About This Opportunity
The National Anveshika Experimental Skill Test (NAEST) is an annual, unique physics competition organized by the National Anveshika Network of India (NANI), a unit of the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT), in collaboration with Shiksha Sopan and the Centre of Continuing Education, IIT Kanpur. Led by the eminent physicist and Padma Shri awardee Dr. H. C. Verma, NAEST aims to foster a culture of experimentation and scientific inquiry among Indian students.
The competition is designed to assess and nurture keen observational, analytical, and experimental skills in physics, aligning with the principles of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes joyful, experiential, and competency-based learning.
It is open to students across India, from Class 9 to postgraduate levels, providing a unique platform to explore physics beyond textbooks and develop a deep understanding through practical application.
NAEST has been conducted annually since 2014, evolving to include online and offline rounds to maximize participation and accessibility across the nation.
Eligibility
- Grade Level
- Class 9–12
- Age Range
- - years
- Location
- Nationwide
Academic requirement
Students studying in any class 9/10/11/12 from any State Board/Central Board of India are eligible for the Junior category. Students pursuing B.Sc/M.Sc from any affiliated Colleges/Universities of India are eligible for the Senior category. Previous NAEST national toppers are not eligible.
Prerequisites
- Basic understanding of physics concepts relevant to their academic level.
- Access to a computer/smartphone with internet for online rounds.
- Ability to perform simple experiments at home using easily available materials.
Additional requirements
- Students enrolled in Class 12 as of January 1st of the competition year are eligible for the Junior category.
- Students enrolled in B.Sc final year or M.Sc final year as of January 1st of the competition year are eligible for the Senior category.
- Participants must have access to a device with internet connectivity and the ability to record and upload videos for the Prelims round.
NAEST is open to Indian students in two categories: Junior (Classes 9–12) and Senior (B.Sc/M.Sc). Students must be from any recognized Indian board or college. Previous national toppers can't apply. Age: approx. 13–18 (Junior) and 18–26 (Senior).
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Academic Details
Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced (as it involves experimental design, analysis, and innovative problem-solving).
What's covered
The experiments are not strictly tied to a specific syllabus or textbooks, encouraging students to apply fundamental physics concepts to real-world observations and innovative setups. The focus is on conceptual understanding and experimental skills rather than rote learning.
Rewards & Recognition
Award
₹50,000 Scholarship
Top three winners in the Junior category (Class 9-12) are eligible for a scholarship of ₹50,000 per year for four years. This can be increased to ₹80,000 per year based on the student's economic condition. Additionally, cash prizes are awarded to national winners in both junior and senior categories, with the top prize being ₹20,000. Regional prizes at each centre of Prelims round are given as a token of appreciation First: Rs. 1,000 Second: Rs. 750 Third: Rs. 500
Prizes
Trophies & Medals
National winners are felicitated with trophies and medals at the National Convention of the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT).
Certificate
Certificate by IAPT & IIT Kanpur
Participation certificates are issued to all students who appear for the screening round. Excellence certificates are awarded at various stages, including for individual experiment toppers in the prelims round. National winners receive prestigious certificates.
Recognized by
Opens doors to
The significant scholarship for junior category toppers directly supports undergraduate education. National-level recognition in NAEST enhances applications to prestigious universities for higher studies in STEM fields.
Career pathways
Develops a strong foundation of practical and analytical skills that are highly valued in academic and industrial research settings, preparing students for successful careers in physics, engineering, and other scientific disciplines.
Recognition
National Recognition by IAPT
Skills your child builds
Exam format
- Duration
- 90 minutes
- Format
- Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with one or more correct answers in the screening round. Subsequent rounds involve experimental performance, data analysis, and detailed report submission.
- Language
- English, Hindi
Rounds & format
Screening Round (Online): A 90-minute video-based multiple-choice question test (10 videos, 18-20 questions) assessing observation and basic physics concepts. Prelims (Online): Participants perform three unique experiments at home based on provided write-ups, submitting comprehensive reports with observations, analysis, and videos. Each experiment has a 4-5 day timeline for completion and submission. Semifinal Round (Offline, Kanpur): Selected students perform three new experiments with apparatus provided at Sopan Ashram, Kanpur, under the direct guidance and monitoring of Dr. H. C. Verma and his team. Final Round (Offline, Kanpur): Qualifiers from semifinals face three new, challenging experimental setups at Sopan Ashram, where national winners are declared based on their observations, calculations, and analysis. Bonus points are awarded for innovative approaches.
How entries are judged
Observation skills, understanding of physics concepts, experimental performance, accuracy of data analysis, logical thinking, creativity in experimental setups, and quality of reports. Emphasis is placed on the ability to think imaginatively and solve problems rather than rote memorization.
Selection process
Performance in each preceding round. Screening round shortlists based on scores. Prelims shortlists based on the quality of experimental reports. Semifinalists are selected from prelims toppers, and finalists from semifinalists.
How to apply
- 1Register online at naest.shiksha-sopan.org.
- 2Provide personal details and educational information.
- 3Create an account on the platform.
- 4Appear for the online screening test on the scheduled date.
- 5Shortlisted students from the screening round will undergo verification of eligibility through Aadhaar and marksheets for later rounds.
How to prepare
- Previous years' NAEST video solutions and questions available on the official website.
- Collaborative learning on the MOOKIT platform of IIT Kanpur (for early registrants).
- Videos of live demonstrations and expert comments from resource persons.
- The official NAEST website (naest.shiksha-sopan.org) provides brochures, posters, and contact information for queries.
Fees & financial support
Fee details
There is no registration fee or examination fee for any of the rounds of NAEST. The competition is entirely free of cost for all participants at all stages.
Financial support
Scholarships of ₹50,000 per year for four consecutive years are provided to the top three national winners in the Junior category (Classes 9-12) for their higher studies. This amount can be increased up to ₹80,000 per year based on the student's assessed economic condition. These scholarships are sponsored by the Pragati Foundation.
Refund policy
Not applicable as there are no fees.
Frequently asked questions
Is National Anveshika Experimental Skill Test (NAEST) free?
This opportunity is free to participate in.
Who can participate in National Anveshika Experimental Skill Test (NAEST)?
Students in Class 9–12. children aged -.
What will my child gain from National Anveshika Experimental Skill Test (NAEST)?
Enhances practical experimental skills in physics through hands-on experience.. Fosters scientific thinking, problem-solving, and analytical abilities.. Offers national recognition, prestigious awards, and certificates.. Opportunity to learn directly from Dr. H. C. Verma and his esteemed team.. Promotes joyful, experiential, and competency-based learning in physics, aligning with NEP 2020.. Encourages innovation and creativity in experimental design.. Free participation at all stages, making it accessible to all eligible students.. Scholarship of ₹50,000 to ₹80,000 per year for junior category toppers to support higher education..
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