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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NSEP Exam

Total Questions

IAPT

120 mins

Exam Duration

IAPT

₹300

Registration Fee

IAPT 2026

Hard

Difficulty Level

Olympiad Standard

MAS/MI

Qualifying Scores

Relative Grading

Stage 1

Olympiad Gateway

To INPhO / IPhO

The NSEP is a 60-question, 2-hour offline exam conducted by IAPT for school students. It acts as the first qualifying round for the International Physics Olympiad. The fee is ₹300, and candidates are tested on Class 11 and 12 Physics syllabus with high conceptual depth.

Sample NSEP Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NSEP exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A stone is dropped from the top of a tower of height H. If it takes T seconds to reach the ground, what is the position of the stone at time T/2?

A.H/4 from the top of the tower

B.H/2 from the top of the tower

C.3H/4 from the top of the tower

D.H/3 from the top of the tower

Explanation: Using the second equation of motion, s = ut + 0.5 * g * t^2. Since the stone is dropped from rest, u = 0. The displacement from the top at time t = T/2 is s = 0.5 * g * (T/2)^2 = 0.125 * g * T^2. Since the total height H is reached in time T, we have H = 0.5 * g * T^2. Thus, the displacement from the top at time T/2 is H/4.

2A block of mass m is placed on a smooth inclined plane of angle θ. The inclined plane is accelerated horizontally so that the block remains stationary relative to the incline. What is the magnitude of this horizontal acceleration?

A.g tan θ

B.g sin θ

C.g cos θ

D.g cot θ

Explanation: In the non-inertial frame of the accelerating incline, the block experiences a horizontal pseudo-force 'ma' opposite to the acceleration direction. For the block to remain stationary, the component of the pseudo-force acting up the incline (ma cos θ) must balance the component of the gravitational force acting down the incline (mg sin θ). Thus, ma cos θ = mg sin θ, which simplifies to a = g tan θ.

3A conservative force F = -kx acts on a particle. What is the work done by this force in moving the particle from x = a to x = b?

A.-0.5 * k * (b^2 - a^2)

B.0.5 * k * (b^2 - a^2)

C.-k * (b - a)

D.k * (b - a)

Explanation: Work done is given by the integral of F dx from x = a to x = b. Integrating -kx dx yields [-0.5 * k * x^2] from a to b, which equals -0.5 * k * (b^2 - a^2). This is also equal to the negative change in potential energy, -ΔU.

4The acceleration due to gravity at a height h above the Earth's surface is the same as that at a depth d below the surface. If both h and d are much smaller than the Earth's radius R, what is the relationship between h and d?

A.d = 2h

B.h = 2d

C.d = h

D.d = h/4

Explanation: For height h << R, the acceleration due to gravity is g_h ≈ g(1 - 2h/R). For depth d << R, the acceleration is g_d = g(1 - d/R). Equating the two expressions gives 1 - 2h/R = 1 - d/R, which simplifies to d = 2h.

5A wooden block floats in water with two-fifths of its volume submerged. What is the density of the wood? (Density of water = 1000 kg/m^3)

A.400 kg/m^3

B.600 kg/m^3

C.200 kg/m^3

D.800 kg/m^3

Explanation: According to the principle of flotation, the weight of the floating body equals the weight of the fluid displaced by it. Thus, ρ_wood * V * g = ρ_water * V_submerged * g. Substituting V_submerged = 2/5 * V, we get ρ_wood = 2/5 * ρ_water = 0.4 * 1000 kg/m^3 = 400 kg/m^3.

6The time period of a simple pendulum is T. If the length of the pendulum is increased by 21%, what is the percentage increase in its time period?

A.10%

B.21%

C.5%

D.15%

Explanation: The time period of a simple pendulum is T = 2π * sqrt(L/g), so T is proportional to sqrt(L). If L increases by 21%, the new length is L' = 1.21 * L. The new time period is T' = 2π * sqrt(1.21 * L / g) = 1.1 * T. This represents a 10% increase in the time period.

7A wire of length L and cross-sectional area A is stretched by a force F, causing an elongation l. If the wire is cut in half, what is the elongation in one of the halves under the same stretching force F?

A.l/2

B.l

C.2l

D.l/4

Explanation: Elongation is given by l = F * L / (A * Y), where Y is Young's modulus. Since the material (Y), cross-sectional area (A), and applied force (F) remain constant, elongation is directly proportional to the original length L. Halving the length halves the elongation, resulting in l' = l/2.

8Which of the following physical quantities has the same dimensional formula as Planck's constant (h)?

A.Angular momentum

B.Linear momentum

C.Work

D.Torque

Explanation: Planck's constant has units of Joule-seconds (J s). The dimensional formula of h is [M L^2 T^-1]. Angular momentum (L = r x p) has units of kg m^2/s, which also translates to [M L^2 T^-1]. Therefore, Planck's constant and angular momentum have identical dimensions.

9Resistance R is calculated as R = V/I. If the percentage error in voltage V is 2% and in current I is 3%, what is the maximum percentage error in the measurement of resistance R?

A.5%

B.1%

C.6%

D.1.5%

Explanation: According to error propagation rules, for a quotient R = V/I, the relative errors add up to give the maximum relative error. Thus, ΔR/R = ΔV/V + ΔI/I. The maximum percentage error is 2% + 3% = 5%.

10A particle moves in a straight line such that its velocity varies with displacement s as v = k * sqrt(s), where k is a positive constant. What is the acceleration of the particle?

A.k^2 / 2

B.k^2

C.k^2 / 4

D.zero

Explanation: Acceleration a is given by v * (dv/ds). Differentiating v = k * s^(1/2) with respect to s gives dv/ds = 0.5 * k * s^(-1/2). Multiplying by v gives a = (k * s^(1/2)) * (0.5 * k * s^(-1/2)) = 0.5 * k^2.

About the NSEP Exam

The National Standard Examination in Physics (NSEP) is the first stage of the selection process for Indian students to represent the country in the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO). Administered by the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT), the examination is held at hundreds of centers across India. The paper is highly conceptual, checking students' analytical ability and understanding of Physics. A score above the Merit Index (MI) guarantees selection to the second stage, the Indian National Physics Olympiad (INPhO).

Assessment

60 questions in total: 48 single-correct MCQs (+3 marks, -1 penalty) and 12 multiple-correct MCQs (+6 marks, no negative marking)

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

Merit-based (MAS typically ~50% and MI typically ~80% of top 10 national average)

Exam Fee

₹300 (IAPT (Indian Association of Physics Teachers) in association with HBCSE (Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education))

NSEP Exam Content Outline

30%

Mechanics

Kinematics, Newton's laws, friction, circular motion, work, energy and power, center of mass, linear momentum, collisions, rotational motion, gravitation, elasticity, fluid pressure, viscosity, surface tension, oscillations, and mechanical waves.

25%

Electromagnetism

Electrostatics, Gauss's law, electric potential, capacitance, current electricity, Ohm's law, DC circuits, magnetic force, Biot-Savart and Ampere's laws, electromagnetic induction (Faraday's and Lenz's laws), self and mutual inductance, and alternating current (LCR circuits).

20%

Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory

Thermal expansion, calorimetry, heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation), ideal gas laws, kinetic theory of gases, zeroth, first, and second laws of thermodynamics, heat engines, and refrigerators.

15%

Optics and Wave Motion

Reflection and refraction at spherical surfaces, thin lenses, prisms, optical instruments, wave nature of light, Huygens' principle, interference (Young's double slit), diffraction, polarization, and Doppler effect in waves.

10%

Modern Physics

Dual nature of radiation, photoelectric effect, de Broglie wavelength, Bohr's model of the hydrogen atom, radioactivity, nuclear binding energy, nuclear fission and fusion, and semiconductor devices (diodes, transistors, logic gates).

How to Pass the NSEP Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Merit-based (MAS typically ~50% and MI typically ~80% of top 10 national average)
Assessment: 60 questions in total: 48 single-correct MCQs (+3 marks, -1 penalty) and 12 multiple-correct MCQs (+6 marks, no negative marking)
Time limit: 2 hours
Exam fee: ₹300

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

NSEP Study Tips from Top Performers

1Study Concepts in Depth: Memorizing formulas is not enough. You must understand the derivation and applicability of every formula.

2Use Standard Textbooks: Concepts of Physics by H.C. Verma is highly recommended, alongside NCERT books and Halliday, Resnick, and Walker.

3Practice Past Papers: Solving previous years' NSEP questions under strict time limits is the most effective preparation strategy.

4Strengthen Calculus: Many mechanics and electrodynamics problems require integration and differentiation to solve.

5Understand Error Analysis and Dimensional Analysis: Often 1-2 questions test measurement errors and units.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NSEP exam?

The National Standard Examination in Physics (NSEP) is the first stage of the Indian Physics Olympiad program, leading to the selection of the Indian team for the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO).

Who is eligible to write the NSEP?

Students who are Indian citizens, enrolled in Class 12 or below in an Indian school, and born within the specified age brackets (typically between 15 and 20 years old) are eligible. Students must not have passed their Class 12 board exam before writing the test.

What is the exam fee and registration process?

The registration fee is ₹300 per subject. Registration is usually done through registered school centers or individual student portals on the official IAPT website (iapt.org.in) between August and September.

What is the passing criteria for NSEP?

There is no fixed passing score. Candidates must score above the Minimum Admissible Score (MAS), which is 50% of the average of the top 10 scores nationally. To guarantee selection for the second stage (INPhO), candidates must score above the Merit Index (MI), which is 80% of the average of the top 10 scores.

Is there negative marking in NSEP?

Yes. Part A1 (48 questions, single-choice) has negative marking: +3 for a correct answer and -1 for an incorrect answer. Part A2 (12 questions, multiple-choice) has no negative marking: +6 for selecting all correct options and no incorrect ones.