Dashboard · Exams · NSEA
National Standard Examination in Astronomy
HBCSE/IAPT Stage-1 astronomy olympiad. 80 MCQs in 3 hours combining Class 11+12 physics & math with celestial mechanics, spherical trigonometry, and observational astronomy.
Updated 17 Aug 2026 ·Vacancy counts change every cycle — always confirm the exact number in the latest official notification before applying.
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Source: official exam authority notification · refreshed weekly. How this works →
Free NSEA 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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Work, Energy and PowerA comet of mass m approaches the Sun from infinity with speed v. At its closest approach, its speed is 3v. The distance of closest approach in terms of G, M (Sun's mass), and v is:
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.
50/216 marks avg
Kinematics + dynamics + rotation + gravitation
60/216 marks avg
Celestial coordinate systems + Kepler's laws + astrometry
50/216 marks avg
Stellar physics + spectra + cosmology basics
30/216 marks avg
Trigonometry + vectors + calculus applications
26/216 marks avg
Observational astronomy + spherical trigonometry
2025
21 questions
Take paper →2024
21 questions
Take paper →2023
20 questions
Take paper →2022
20 questions
Take paper →2021
19 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).
NSEA — Quick Practice
FULL20 questions · 180 min
Start mock →NSEA — 2022 (Previous Year)
FULL20 questions · 180 min
Start mock →NSEA — 2025 (Previous Year)
FULL21 questions · 180 min
Start mock →Full-length subject tests below — 25 questions each, real exam format, instant scoring. Want to drill a single topic? Every topic has its own 10-question test in the syllabus.
Physics
55 QsMathematics
27 QsElementary Astronomy
38 QsTell Shishya exactly what to test you on — topics, size, difficulty — and get a fresh mock in seconds. Leave the box blank and we'll target your weakest topics.
Take a mock to see where you stand on the leaderboard.
Students
7
Mocks taken
19
Average score
37%
Top score
70%
What can I get from NSEA?
Mock-score → expected rank → likely outcome. Use the mocks below to find your current band, then plan how many marks you need to climb.
IOAA team probable — National top-30
92–100% · Rank 1 – 30
The Indian National Astronomy Olympiad (INAO), Stage-II of the Astronomy Olympiad programme, is scheduled for January 30, 2027, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Top NSEA scorers will qualify for INAO.
IAPT has started centre registration for NSEA 2026-27 from August 1, 2026. Schools, junior colleges and approved examination centres can register until August 20, 2026. Student enrolment begins August 21.
The National Standard Examination in Astronomy will be conducted on Saturday, November 21, 2026, from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Enrolment fee is ₹300 per subject.
Tap any topic for its study notes + a 10-question topic test
Units and Measurements
SI units, dimensional analysis, error analysis used heavily in astronomy estimation problems.
Kinematics
Motion in 1D and 2D, projectile motion and relative motion.
Laws of Motion
Newton's laws, friction and circular dynamics.
Work, Energy and Power
Work-energy theorem, conservation laws and elastic/inelastic collisions.
Rotational Motion
Centre of mass, torque, angular momentum and moment of inertia.
OCSC probable — Top 200
82–92% · Rank 30 – 200
OCSC contenders — Top 1000
70–82% · Rank 200 – 800
INAO qualifiers — Regional merit
55–70% · Rank 800 – 1,500
Near qualifying range
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.
Centre registration opens
passedSat, 1 Aug, 2026
Schools, junior colleges and approved centres register via iapt.org.in
Centre registration closes
passedThu, 20 Aug, 2026
Student enrolment opens
passedFri, 21 Aug, 2026
Students can enrol via school or directly through IAPT portal; fee ₹300
Student enrolment closes
19 days awayMon, 14 Sept, 2026
Admit card release (expected)
66 days awaySat, 31 Oct, 2026
Based on 2025-26 cycle when admit cards were released on October 31, 2025
🏅NSEA 2026 exam
87 days awaySat, 21 Nov, 2026
Saturday, 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM (2 hours)
NSEA result (expected)
119 days awayWed, 23 Dec, 2026
Based on 2025-26 cycle; result typically in late December
🏅INAO (Stage-II) exam
157 days awaySat, 30 Jan, 2027
Indian National Astronomy Olympiad; 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM; only for NSEA qualifiers
Sets, Relations and Functions
Sets, relations, types of functions and inverse trigonometric functions.
Algebra
Mathematical induction, complex numbers, quadratic equations, sequences and series.
Permutations and Combinations
Counting principles, nPr/nCr and elementary combinatorial reasoning.
Binomial Theorem
Binomial expansion, general term and applications.
Matrices and Determinants
Matrix operations, determinants and solution of linear systems.
Coordinate Geometry
Straight lines, circles and conic sections.
Trigonometry
Trigonometric ratios, identities, equations and inverse trig — heavily used in astronomy.
Three Dimensional Geometry
Direction cosines, lines and planes in 3D.
Vectors
Vector algebra, dot and cross products and applications.
Probability and Statistics
Probability rules, conditional probability, mean, variance and standard deviation.
Mathematical Reasoning
Logical statements, validity of arguments and elementary proof techniques.
Celestial Sphere and Coordinate Systems
Celestial sphere, horizon, equatorial and ecliptic coordinate systems and conversions.
Spherical Trigonometry
Sine and cosine rules on a sphere — used for converting between coordinate systems.
Time and Calendars
Solar and sidereal time, time zones, equation of time, Julian date and calendar systems.
Diurnal and Annual Motion
Daily rising/setting of stars, seasons, solstices, equinoxes and circumpolar stars.
Solar System
Sun, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, meteors and dwarf planets — basic structure and properties.
Celestial Mechanics
Kepler's laws, orbital elements, two-body problem and basic perturbations.
Lunar Phases, Eclipses and Tides
Phases of the Moon, solar/lunar eclipses, occultations, transits and ocean tides.
Stellar Astronomy Basics
Stellar magnitudes, spectral classification, HR diagram and stellar evolution overview.
Photometry and Spectroscopy
Flux, luminosity, inverse-square law, photometric systems and spectral lines.
Galaxies and Cosmology
Milky Way structure, galaxy types, redshift, Hubble's law and basic cosmological ideas.
Night Sky and Constellations
Familiar constellations, bright stars, asterisms and naked-eye object identification.
Telescopes and Instruments
Refracting/reflecting telescopes, magnification, resolving power and modern observatories.
History of Astronomy
Major astronomers and milestones from ancient observations to modern astrophysics.