Dashboard · Exams · NSEC
National Standard Examination in Chemistry
HBCSE/IAPT Stage-1 chemistry olympiad. 80 MCQs in 3 hours — physical, inorganic, and organic chemistry at Class 11+12 level with olympiad-style depth.
Sourced
Source: official exam authority notification · refreshed weekly. How this works →
Free NSEC 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.
Sign in to start →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.
80/240 marks avg
Thermo + equilibrium + kinetics + electrochem + atomic structure
80/240 marks avg
Reaction mechanisms + stereochemistry + biomolecules + named reactions
We are sourcing PYQs from the official notification PDFs. Coming soon.
Take any mock in your preferred language — use the language picker inside the mock to switch (Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Bengali, and 15 more).
NSEC — Quick Practice
FULL20 questions · 180 min
Start mock →Take a mock to see where you stand on the leaderboard.
What can I get from NSEC?
Mock-score → expected rank → likely outcome. Use the mocks below to find your current band, then plan how many marks you need to climb.
IChO team contention
92–100% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
80/240 marks avg
Coordination + p-block + d-block + metallurgy + qualitative analysis
OCSC probable selection
85–92% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
INChO strong performers
75–85% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
INChO qualification likely
60–75% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
State-level participation range
40–60% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
Below qualification threshold
0–40% · Post-based exam (no numeric rank)
AI-curated from historic cut-off patterns. Always verify with the latest official notification before making decisions.
The Indian Association of Physics Teachers has announced that registrations for the NSEC 2026-27 cycle will open in the coming weeks. Schools must coordinate bulk registrations through the designated HBCSE portal as individual registrations are not permitted.
Source →HBCSE has confirmed that the NSEC will continue with its standard format of 80 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 2 hours. The examination tests concepts across physical, organic, and inorganic chemistry at the Class XI-XII level.
Source →Students who qualified through NSEC for the Indian National Chemistry Olympiad training program have commenced their advanced preparation. The multi-stage selection process ultimately aims to identify team members for international representation.
Source →IAPT has reiterated that NSEC is open to students studying in Class XI and XII during the academic year. Students must register through their schools, and homeschooled candidates need special coordination with regional coordinators.
Source →School registration window opens
29 days awayThu, 25 Jun, 2026
Schools can begin registering students through IAPT/HBCSE portal
Last date for school registrations
119 days awayWed, 23 Sept, 2026
Final deadline for schools to complete bulk student registrations
📌NSEC examination date
149 days awayFri, 23 Oct, 2026
National Standard Examination in Chemistry conducted at registered school centers
NSEC results announcement
179 days awaySun, 22 Nov, 2026
Qualifying students announced for Indian National Chemistry Olympiad (INChO)
📌INChO examination window
209 days awayTue, 22 Dec, 2026
Indian National Chemistry Olympiad for NSEC qualifiers
Orientation cum Selection Camp (OCSC) begins
254 days awayFri, 5 Feb, 2027
Top INChO performers invited to training camp for international team selection
Click any topic to read study notes
Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry
Mole concept, stoichiometry, empirical and molecular formulas, concentration units.
Structure of Atom
Bohr model, quantum numbers, orbitals, electronic configuration and Aufbau principle.
Classification of Elements and Periodicity
Modern periodic table, periodic trends in radii, ionisation enthalpy, electron gain enthalpy and electronegativity.
Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure
Ionic, covalent, coordinate bonding; VSEPR; valence bond and molecular orbital theories; hybridisation.
States of Matter
Ideal/real gases, kinetic theory, liquefaction; liquid-state properties; solid-state classification, lattices and unit cells.
Chemical Thermodynamics
First law, enthalpy, Hess's law, entropy, Gibbs energy and spontaneity criteria.
Equilibrium
Chemical equilibrium, Kc/Kp, Le Chatelier's principle, ionic equilibria, pH, buffers, solubility product.
Solutions
Concentration, Raoult's law, ideal/non-ideal solutions, colligative properties and van't Hoff factor.
Electrochemistry
Galvanic cells, EMF, Nernst equation, conductance, Kohlrausch's law, electrolysis and batteries.
Chemical Kinetics
Rate laws, order, molecularity, Arrhenius equation, integrated rate equations and collision theory.
Surface Chemistry
Adsorption, catalysis, colloids, emulsions and Tyndall effect.
s-Block Elements
Group 1 and 2 — alkali and alkaline-earth metal trends, anomalous behaviour and important compounds.
p-Block Elements
Groups 13-18 — periodic trends, important compounds, allotropy, oxoacids and noble gases.
d- and f-Block Elements
Transition metals, variable oxidation states, magnetic and catalytic properties; lanthanoids and actinoids.
Coordination Compounds
Werner theory, ligands, nomenclature, isomerism, CFT and applications including chelation.
General Principles of Isolation of Elements
Metallurgical principles — concentration, reduction, refining and thermodynamics of extraction.
Organic Chemistry — Basic Principles
IUPAC nomenclature, isomerism, reaction mechanisms, electron displacement effects and reactive intermediates.
Hydrocarbons
Alkanes, alkenes, alkynes and aromatic hydrocarbons — preparation, properties and reactions.
Haloalkanes and Haloarenes
Nomenclature, preparation, nucleophilic substitution and elimination of alkyl/aryl halides.
Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers
Preparation, physical and chemical properties; acidity of phenols; Williamson ether synthesis.
Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids
Carbonyl chemistry, named reactions (Aldol, Cannizzaro, Clemmensen) and acid derivatives.
Organic Compounds Containing Nitrogen
Amines, diazonium salts, cyanides/isocyanides, nitro compounds — preparation and reactions.
Biomolecules
Carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, nucleic acids, enzymes and vitamins at NCERT level.
Polymers
Classification, addition and condensation polymers, copolymers and biodegradable polymers.
Chemistry in Everyday Life
Drugs, cleansing agents, food additives — chemical aspects at NCERT level.
Environmental Chemistry
Atmospheric, water and soil pollution; greenhouse effect; ozone layer; green chemistry.
Olympiad-style Problem Solving
Multi-concept numerical problems and analytical reasoning typical of NSEC question style.