Dashboard · Exams · NSEB
National Standard Examination in Biology
HBCSE/IAPT Stage-1 biology olympiad. 80 MCQs in 3 hours covering cell biology, genetics, plant & animal physiology, ecology, and evolution.
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Source: official exam authority notification · refreshed weekly. How this works →
Free NSEB preparation on Shishya
Take expert-curated mocks, practise previous year papers, and Ask Shishya when you're stuck — verified by students who cleared the same path. All free, no credit card. Sign in with Google to begin.
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Kingdom-level ClassificationKingdom Protista includes organisms that are:
Tap an option to check your answer.
Start with a diagnostic
10 questions across the syllabus to see where you stand.
Verified against the official notification. Source ↗ · last reconciled 2026-05.
Topic-by-topic weightage averaged across 2022-2024 papers. Use this to decide where to invest study hours, not where to skim. Source ↗ · verified 2026-05.
50/240 marks avg
Cell structure + biomolecules + genetics + biotech
50/240 marks avg
Anatomy + physiology + ecology + evolution
2025
19 questions
Take paper →2024
18 questions
Take paper →2023
19 questions
Take paper →2022
18 questions
Take paper →2021
18 questions
Take paper →Take any mock in your preferred language — use the language picker inside the mock to switch (Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Bengali, and 15 more).
NSEB — Quick Practice
FULL20 questions · 180 min
Start mock →60/240 marks avg
Anatomy + physiology + human systems + reproduction
40/240 marks avg
Population + community + behaviour + Darwinian evolution
40/240 marks avg
Taxonomy + classification + applied biology
Take a mock to see where you stand on the leaderboard.
| # | Student | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Samaira M. | 20.0% |
What can I get from NSEB?
Mock-score → expected rank → likely outcome. Use the mocks below to find your current band, then plan how many marks you need to climb.
Top 20 nationally — IBO medal contenders
95–100% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
Top 20-50 nationally — IBO pathway
90–95% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
Top 50-150 nationally — OCSC contenders
82–90% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
Top 150-300 nationally
70–82% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
INBO qualification zone
55–70% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
State merit list contenders
35–55% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
Below qualifying threshold
0–35% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
AI-curated from historic cut-off patterns. Always verify with the latest official notification before making decisions.
IAPT has confirmed that centre and student registration for the National Standard Examination in Biology 2026-27 cycle opens on August 1, 2026 via iapt.org.in. Students in Classes 11-12 can apply through authorized exam centres or directly online.
The NSEB 2026-27 examination is expected to be conducted on November 23, 2026 from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM at centres across India. The pen-and-paper exam will consist of 60 MCQs for 216 marks with negative marking.
Students who qualified NSEB 2025-26 appeared for INBO on February 1, 2026. The top performers have proceeded to the Orientation-Cum-Selection Camp (OCSC) held at HBCSE Mumbai for final IBO 2026 team selection.
IAPT confirms the NSEB 2026-27 syllabus covers Cell Biology, Genetics, Ecology, Physiology, and Biotechnology as per CBSE curriculum. Questions are concept-based and application-oriented at moderate difficulty.
Centre registration opens (2026-27)
22 days awaySat, 1 Aug, 2026
Schools and institutions register as NSEB exam centres on iapt.org.in
Student enrolment window opens
42 days awayFri, 21 Aug, 2026
Individual student registration begins on IAPT portal; fee ₹300
Student enrolment deadline
66 days awayMon, 14 Sept, 2026
Last date for NSEB 2026-27 student registration
🏅NSEB 2026-27 Exam Day
136 days awayMon, 23 Nov, 2026
Offline OMR-based exam; 2:30 PM–4:30 PM; 60 MCQs, 216 marks, 2 hours
Answer key release (expected)
142 days awaySun, 29 Nov, 2026
Official solutions released on iapt.org.in within one week of exam
NSEB result & merit list (expected)
173 days awayWed, 30 Dec, 2026
Scorecard and list of INBO-qualified students published on IAPT website
Click any topic to read study notes
Diversity of Living Organisms
Classification systems, taxonomic hierarchy, three domains and five kingdoms.
Structural Organization in Plants and Animals
Morphology of flowering plants, plant anatomy and animal tissues with frog/cockroach as examples.
Cell — Structure and Function
Cell theory, prokaryote vs eukaryote, organelles, cell cycle, mitosis and meiosis.
Plant Physiology
Transport, mineral nutrition, photosynthesis, respiration, growth and development in plants.
Human Physiology
Digestion, breathing, body fluids, excretion, locomotion, neural and chemical coordination.
Reproduction
Reproduction in organisms, sexual reproduction in flowering plants, human reproduction, reproductive health.
Genetics and Evolution
Mendelian and post-Mendelian genetics, molecular basis of inheritance, evolution.
Biology and Human Welfare
Health and disease, immunology, microbes, plant and animal husbandry.
Biotechnology
Principles, processes and applications of biotechnology including rDNA technology.
Ecology and Environment
Organisms and populations, ecosystems, biodiversity and environmental issues.
Olympiad-style Reasoning
Data interpretation, experimental design and concept-application questions typical of NSEB.
🏅INBO 2027 (Stage 2) - expected
206 days awayMon, 1 Feb, 2027
Indian National Biology Olympiad for NSEB qualifiers; typically first Sunday of February
OCSC-Biology camp (expected)
295 days awaySat, 1 May, 2027
Two-week Orientation-Cum-Selection Camp at HBCSE for top ~35 INBO performers