Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test
The Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test, known as INI-CET, is a national-level postgraduate medical entrance examination conducted by AIIMS New Delhi on behalf of a group of institutes of national importance. It is taken by doctors who already hold an MBBS degree and who want a postgraduate or super-speciality seat at these institutes, which include the AIIMS network, PGIMER Chandigarh, JIPMER Puducherry, NIMHANS Bengaluru and SCTIMST Thiruvananthapuram. It is not an undergraduate medical test: school leavers seeking MBBS admission take NEET UG instead. INI-CET replaced the
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INI CET 2026 January Session Registration
AIIMS starts INI CET 2026 registration for the January Session on September 30, 2025. The application form is available on the official website aiimsexams.ac.in.
- INI CET 2026 registration for the January Session is open till October 21, 2025.
- INI CET 2026 registration fees are INR 4000 for GN/ OBC/ Foreign Nationals/ OCI and INR 3200 for SC/ ST/ EWS candidates.
- Candidates can correct their INI CET 2026 application form from October 24 to 26, 2025.
- INI CET January 2026 exam will be computer-based and will be held on November 9, 2025.
INI CET 2026 admit card will be available for those who successfully submit the application form and fulfill all the specified eligibility criteria. AIIMS will release the INI CET 2026 admit card on November 1, 2025, for the January session exam.
INI CET registration 2026 is a 2-stage process that includes basic and final registration. After completing the basic registration, an Exam Unique Code (EUC) has to be generated for completing the final registration.
Candidates can apply for multiple courses with a single registration, but they have to specify streams during registration.
INI CET 2026 Application Dates
INI CET 2026 January session dates are mentioned below in the table:
| Dates | Events |
|---|---|
| September 30, 2025 | INI CET 2026 Application Form Release |
| October 21, 2025 | Last Date to Submit INI CET 2026 Application Form |
| October 24 to 26, 2025 | Form Correction |
| November 1, 2025 | INI CET 2026 Admit Card Release |
| November 9, 2025 | INI CET 2026 Exam Date |
INI CET 2026 Registration Process
INI CET 2026 registration process includes 5 stages – basic registration, code generation, final registration process, documents uploading, and payment of registration fee. The applicant can apply for more than one PG course at the same time.
To successfully fill the application form for INI CET 2026, applicants should complete all the following steps.
INI CET 2026 Registration Fees
The INI CET registration fee 2026 will be paid online during the final registration by debit card, credit card, and net banking. The INI CET fees are non-refundable and vary according to the category of the candidate.
| Category | Registration Fee (INR) |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹4,000 |
| SC / ST / PwBD | ₹3,200 |
| Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) | Exempted from payment |
INI CET 2026 Eligibility
The INI CET eligibility criteria is set by AIIMS, New Delhi and will be applicable for admission into participating institutes of National Importance.
Who Can Apply for INI CET
Candidates must hold an MBBS or BDS degree, have completed their internship, and meet the minimum marks requirement. Both Indian and foreign nationals are eligible for document verification.
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian Nationals, OCI, and Foreign Nationals (with embassy sponsorship for foreign candidates) |
| Educational Qualification | MBBS degree (for MD/MS/DM/MCh courses) or BDS degree (for MDS courses) from an MCI/DCI-recognised institution |
| Minimum Marks |
|
| Internship Requirement | Completion of compulsory 12-month rotatory internship on or before 31 January 2026 for the January session |
| Registration | Candidates must possess a valid provisional/permanent registration certificate issued by the MCI/DCI/State Medical or Dental Council |
| Age Limit | No upper age limit specified for INI CET |
INI CET Registration Statistics: 2025, 2024 & 2023
INI CET has seen a rise in candidate participation in recent years. More than 80,000 candidates have registered every year for PG Medical seats in AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER and NIMHANS.
| Year | Total Registrations | Approx. Candidates Appeared | Total Seats (MD/MS/MCh/DM/MDS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 85,000+ | 80,000 | 1,200 |
| 2024 | 82,000+ | 77,000 | 1,150 |
| 2023 | 80,000 | 75,000 | 1,100 |
Exam pattern expand_more
What is the INI CET Exam Pattern for 2026?
INI CET 2026 is a national-level postgraduate medical entrance exam conducted by AIIMS. The paper includes Single Correct Choice and Multiple Correct Choice questions.
- The INI CET will be conducted in CBT Mode.
- The paper has 200 MCQs of 200 marks.
- Each correct answer gets +1 mark.
- Each incorrect answer gets -1.3 marks.
- The exam duration is 3 hours.
INI CET Exam Structure 2026
The INI CET Exam is for admission into MD, MS, DM for 6 years, MCh for 6 years, and MDS courses. These courses are offered in AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, NIMHANS, and other institutes.
INI CET Exam Pattern 2026: Marking Scheme
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | CBT Mode |
| Number of Questions | 200 MCQs |
| Total Marks | 200 |
| Marks for Correct Answer | +1 |
| Marks for Incorrect Answer | -1.3 |
| Duration | 3 hours |
INI CET Exam Pattern 2026: Question Types
The paper includes two types of questions. These are Single Correct Choice and Multiple Correct Choice questions.
INI CET Exam Pattern 2026: Subject-Wise Weightage
As per the analysis of INI CET previous years' question papers, Medicine and Allied Subjects has a weightage of 60%. Surgery and Allied Subjects has a weightage of 25%.
- Anatomy, Microbiology, and Physiology have a weightage of 10% in the INI CET 2024 exam.
INI CET 2026 Syllabus
The syllabus covers subjects from pre-clinical, para-clinical, and clinical areas. Candidates preparing for the exam should cover all these subjects.
INI CET 2026: Pre-Clinical Subjects
Pre-clinical subjects include Anatomy and Physiology. These subjects are part of the exam syllabus.
INI CET 2026: Para-Clinical Subjects
Para-clinical subjects include Microbiology. This subject is also part of the exam syllabus.
INI CET 2026: Clinical Subjects
Clinical subjects include Medicine and Allied Subjects and Surgery and Allied Subjects. These carry the highest weightage in the exam.
INI CET Previous Year Question Paper
Analysis of INI CET previous years' question papers helps understand the weightage of topics. Medicine and Allied Subjects carries 60% weightage, and Surgery and Allied Subjects carries 25% weightage.
INI CET Exam Preparation Tips
Candidates should focus on subjects with higher weightage. Medicine and Allied Subjects and Surgery and Allied Subjects together account for 85% of the exam weightage.
FAQs
INI CET 2026 is a national-level postgraduate medical entrance exam conducted by AIIMS. The exam is for admission into MD, MS, DM for 6 years, MCh for 6 years, and MDS courses.
INI CET 2026 Exam Overview
INI CET 2026 is the postgraduate medical entrance exam conducted by AIIMS / NBE. The exam is held in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | INI CET 2026 (Postgraduate Medical Entrance) |
| Conducting Body | AIIMS / NBE |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Total Questions | 200 MCQs |
| Question Types | Single Correct Choice (SCC), Multiple Correct Choice (MCC) |
| Sections | 5 Sections (40 questions each) |
| Total Marks | 200 |
| Marking Scheme | +1 for correct, -1.3 for incorrect, 0 for unattempted |
| Review Option | Questions can be marked for review |
| Syllabus | Entire MBBS Curriculum (19 subjects) |
| Exam Dates | January Session: Nov 9, 2025; July Session: May 17, 2026 |
| Medium of Exam | English |
Negative Marking in INI CET 2026
The negative marking gives +1 for each correct answer but -1.3 marks for each incorrect answer. Random guessing can lower the overall score, so it is safer to attempt questions you are confident about and skip the uncertain ones.
INI CET 2026 Exam Structure
The INI CET 2026 exam is designed to test the candidate's clinical knowledge, conceptual clarity, problem-solving, and reasoning skills across all major medical disciplines taught in MBBS. The exam pattern follows a structured layout.
| Section | Number of Questions | Duration per Section |
|---|---|---|
| Section 1 | 50 | 45 minutes |
| Section 2 | 50 | 45 minutes |
| Section 3 | 50 | 45 minutes |
| Section 4 | 50 | 45 minutes |
| Total | 200 | 3 hours |
Question Navigation and Review
Candidates can mark questions for review in the CBT mode. This allows skipping tricky questions at the start and returning to them later, helping with time management and prioritising high-confidence questions.
Subject-Wise Question Distribution
The INI CET Exam pattern for 2026 includes 200 MCQs to be completed in 3 hours. The questions are distributed across pre-clinical, para-clinical, and clinical subjects.
| Section | Approx. Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Pre-clinical | 20–25 |
| Para-clinical | 40–50 |
| Clinical | 100–110 |
| Dental / MDS (if applicable) | 20–30 |
| Total | 200 |
INI CET 2026 Marking Scheme
The marking scheme for the 2026 exam is outlined below.
- Question Types: Mostly single-correct-answer MCQs, with some questions demanding the identification of the best combination of correct options.
- Marking: +4 mark for every correct response.
- Negative Marking: -1.3 mark for every incorrect answer to discourage guessing.
- Unattempted Questions: No marks added or deducted.
INI CET 2026 Question Types
The INI CET Exam pattern for 2026 includes 200 MCQs, to be completed in a duration of 3 hours. The exam includes both single correct choice and multiple correct choice question types.
INI CET 2026 Exam Pattern: Question Types
The INI CET 2026 exam uses two types of questions: Single Correct Answer (SCA) and Multiple Correct Choice (MCC).
| Question Type | Description | Options | Correct Answer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Correct Answer (SCA) | Only one option is correct; a test of direct knowledge or concept | 4 options | 1 correct option |
| Multiple Correct Choice (MCC) | More than one option may be correct; a test of applied knowledge or a combination of concepts | 4–5 options | More than 1 correct option (select the best combination) |
How should you approach multiple-choice questions?
For MCC questions, all correct options must be selected to earn full marks. Partial or incorrect selections may result in 0 marks or penalties, depending on the scoring rules.
It is best to attempt MCC questions only when confident about all correct options.
How does the marking scheme influence strategy?
Because of -1.3 negative marking, it is better to attempt questions you are confident about and skip uncertain ones. Use the review option strategically.
INI CET Exam Pattern 2026: Subject-Wise Weightage
This table summarizes the INI CET 2026 syllabus by category, showing how the MBBS curriculum is divided into Pre-Clinical, Para-Clinical, and Clinical subjects.
It also provides the approximate weightage of each category in the exam, helping candidates prioritize their preparation and focus on high-yield areas for maximum scoring potential.
| Category | Subjects Included | Approximate Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Clinical Subjects | Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry | 20–25% |
| Para-Clinical Subjects | Pathology, Microbiology, Forensic Medicine, Pharmacology, Community Medicine (SPM/PSM) | 25–30% |
| Clinical Subjects | General Medicine and Allied, General Surgery and Allied, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pediatrics, Ophthalmology, ENT, Psychiatry, Radiology, Anesthesia, Orthopedics, Dermatology | 45–50% |
Which section has more weightage in INI CET 2024?
As per previous years’ analysis of INI CET question papers, the Medicine and Allied topic has 60% weightage in the INI CET exam. Other topics, such as Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology, have a weightage of around 10%.
Biochemistry's weightage is around 15%.
| Subject/Topic | Approx. Weightage (%) |
|---|---|
| Medicine & Allied | 60 |
| Biochemistry | 15 |
| Anatomy | 10 |
| Physiology | 10 |
| Microbiology | 10 |
How important are pre-clinical subjects like Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry?
Pre-clinical subjects are important but carry a lower weightage of about 10–12%. Questions usually focus on high-yield concepts, diagrams, and clinical correlations.
| Subject Type | Subjects Covered | Weightage | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Clinical | Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry | 10–12% | High-yield concepts, diagrams, and clinical correlations |
INI CET 2026 Syllabus
The INI CET 2026 is a national-level postgraduate medical entrance exam conducted by AIIMS for admission into MD, MS, DM, MCh, and MDS courses. The exam covers the entire MBBS syllabus, divided into Pre-Clinical, Para-Clinical, and Clinical subjects.
INI CET 2026: Pre-Clinical Subjects
The table below highlights the pre-clinical subjects and their key topics for the INI CET exam 2026, helping you to prioritize high-weightage topics.
| Subject | Topics |
|---|---|
| Anatomy | Microanatomy, Gross Anatomy, Neuroanatomy, Embryology, Genetics |
| Physiology | General, Gastrointestinal, Respiratory, Cardiovascular, Renal, Neuro-Muscular, Reproductive, Endocrine, Neurophysiology, Special Senses, Higher Nervous Functions, Sleep & Yoga |
| Biochemistry | Biomolecules, Enzymes & Metabolism, Molecular Biology, Clinical Biochemistry, Environmental Biochemistry, Immunology |
INI CET 2026: Para-Clinical Subjects
The table below highlights the para-clinical subjects and their key topics for the INI CET exam 2026, helping you to prioritize high-weightage topics.
| Subject | Topics |
|---|---|
| Pathology | General Pathology, Systemic Pathology, Hematology, Clinical Pathology |
| Microbiology | Bacteriology, Virology, Mycology, Parasitology, Immunology |
| Forensic Medicine | Forensic Pathology, Toxicology, Medical Jurisprudence |
| Pharmacology | General Pharmacology, Autonomic Pharmacology, Cardiovascular Pharmacology, CNS Pharmacology, Chemotherapy |
| Community Medicine (SPM/PSM) | Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Health Programs, Environmental Health, Nutrition |
INI CET 2026: Para-Clinical Subjects
The table below lists the para-clinical subjects and their key topics for the INI CET exam 2026.
| Subject | Topics |
|---|---|
| Pathology | General Pathology, Systemic Pathology, Neoplasia, Immunopathology, Hematology |
| Microbiology | Bacteriology, Virology, Mycology, Parasitology, Immunology |
| Pharmacology | General Pharmacology, Autonomic NS Drugs, CNS Drugs, Antimicrobials, Endocrine Drugs, Toxicology |
| Forensic Medicine | Legal Aspects, Toxicology, Medical Jurisprudence |
| Community Medicine | Epidemiology, Public Health, Health Policies, Nutrition, Environmental Health |
INI CET 2026: Clinical Subjects
The table below highlights the clinical subjects and their key topics for the INI CET exam 2026.
| Subject | Topics |
|---|---|
| Medicine & Allied | Cardiology, Neurology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Pulmonology, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Radiodiagnosis |
| Surgery & Allied | General Surgery, Orthopedics, Ophthalmology, ENT, Anesthesia |
| Obstetrics & Gynecology | Obstetrics, Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine, Obstetric Emergencies |
| Pediatrics | Neonatology, Growth & Development, Vaccination, Common Pediatric Disorders |
INI CET Previous Year Question Paper
The INI CET previous year question papers for 2024 and 2023 are given below.
INI CET 2024 Question Paper
| Exam | Question Paper PDF |
|---|---|
| July Session (May 19, 2024) | Check Here |
| January Session (Nov 5, 2023) | Check Here |
INI CET 2023 Question Paper
| Exam | Question Paper PDF |
|---|---|
| July Session (May 7, 2023) | Check Here |
| January Session (Nov 13, 2022) | Check Here |
INI CET Exam Preparation Tips
The table below summarizes a preparation strategy for INI CET 2026, highlighting key subjects, focus areas, and time allocation.
| Component | Topics Covered | Recommended Approach | Suggested Time Allocation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-clinical |
|
|
|
| Para-clinical |
|
|
|
| Clinical |
|
|
|
| Dental/MDS (if applicable) |
|
|
|
| Mock Tests & Revision | - |
|
|
FAQs
Ques. Is the INI CET Exam held twice a year?
INI CET Frequency
No, INI CET is held only once a year. It is a single annual entrance exam conducted for admission to postgraduate medical courses (MD, MS, M.Ch., DM) in AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, NIMHANS, and other institutes.
- Earlier, there was no second session, and candidates had to appear in this only yearly exam to be considered for PG medical admissions.
Eligibility Criteria for INI CET 2026
The INI CET 2026 exam is a postgraduate medical entrance exam for admission to MD/MS/MDS/DM/MCh courses at Institutes of National Importance.
- Educational Qualification: MD/MS/DM/MCh: MBBS degree from a recognized institution; MDS: BDS degree from a recognized institution.
- Minimum Marks in Qualifying Exam: General/OBC/EWS/PwD: 55% aggregate; SC/ST: 50% aggregate.
- Age Limit: No upper age limit, minimum 17 years.
INI CET vs NEET PG Comparison
The comparison between INI CET and NEET PG is given below:
| Feature | INI CET | NEET PG |
|---|---|---|
| Syllabus | MBBS, focus on clinical & para-clinical | Entire MBBS |
| Question Types | SCC + MCC | Mostly SCC |
| Difficulty | More application-based | Knowledge/memory-based |
| Seats | Limited (AIIMS, JIPMER, etc.) | Large across India |
| Competition | Very high | High |
| Prep Strategy | Focus high-weightage & MCC | Broad coverage & speed |
Replacement of INI CET by NExT
Yes, NExT (National Exit Test) is intended to replace INI-CET (for AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, and NIMHANS) and other medical postgraduate entrance exams in India.
- The National Medical Commission (NMC) has deferred the implementation of NExT, but it will eventually serve as a common exam for both postgraduate admissions and a license to practice medicine.
NExT and NEET PG in 2026
Yes, the NExT is expected to replace NEET PG in 2026. According to the NMC, NExT will serve as both a licensing exam for MBBS graduates and a postgraduate entrance exam, effectively replacing NEET PG and the FMGE.
NExT will be conducted in two parts:
- A theory-based MCQs exam covering the entire MBBS syllabus.
- A practical exam conducted during the internship, evaluating clinical skills and competencies.
Rank 4000 in INI CET
Ranking in the exam determines admission chances, with higher ranks increasing the likelihood of securing top colleges and specialty courses.
| Rank in INI CET | Likely Percentile / Score Range* | Admission Chances |
|---|---|---|
| 4000 | ~85–88 percentile | Low probability for AIIMS PG seats |
| Not enough for DM/MCh courses | ||
| Consider alternative PG options |
*Percentile/Score ranges are approximate, based on previous years’ analysis.
Syllabus for INI CET 2026
The INI CET Syllabus 2026 covers Pre-Clinical, Para-Clinical, and Clinical Science sections.
INI CET 2026 Exam Overview
The INI CET 2026 is a postgraduate medical entrance exam for admission to MD, MS, MDS, DM, and MCh courses at Institutes of National Importance. It is a single annual exam conducted for admission to AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, NIMHANS, and other institutes.
Candidates must appear in this yearly exam to be considered for postgraduate medical admissions. There is no second session.
Is INI CET Held Twice a Year?
No, INI CET is held only once a year. It is a single annual entrance exam for postgraduate medical courses (MD, MS, M.Ch., DM) in AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, NIMHANS, and other institutes.
Earlier, there was no second session. Candidates had to appear in this only yearly exam for PG medical admissions.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for INI CET 2026 depend on the course and category. The minimum marks in the qualifying exam vary by category.
- Educational Qualification for MD/MS/DM/MCh: MBBS degree from a recognized institution.
- Educational Qualification for MDS: BDS degree from a recognized institution.
- Minimum Marks for General/OBC/EWS/PwD: 55% aggregate.
- Minimum Marks for SC/ST: 50% aggregate.
- Age Limit: No upper age limit; minimum age is 17 years.
INI CET vs NEET PG
The comparison between INI CET and NEET PG covers syllabus, question types, difficulty, seats, competition, and preparation strategy. INI CET is more application-based, while NEET PG is more knowledge and memory-based.
| Feature | INI CET | NEET PG |
|---|---|---|
| Syllabus | MBBS, focus on clinical and para-clinical | Entire MBBS |
| Question Types | SCC + MCC | Mostly SCC |
| Difficulty | More application-based | Knowledge/memory-based |
| Seats | Limited (AIIMS, JIPMER, etc.) | Large across India |
| Competition | Very high | High |
| Prep Strategy | Focus high-weightage and MCC | Broad coverage and speed |
Will NExT Replace INI CET?
Yes, NExT (National Exit Test) is intended to replace INI-CET for AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, and NIMHANS, along with other medical postgraduate entrance exams in India. The National Medical Commission (NMC) has deferred the implementation of NExT.
NExT will eventually serve as a common exam for both postgraduate admissions and a license to practice medicine.
Will NExT Replace NEET PG in 2026?
Yes, NExT is expected to replace NEET PG in 2026. According to the NMC, NExT will serve as both a licensing exam for MBBS graduates and a postgraduate entrance exam, effectively replacing NEET PG and the FMGE.
NExT will be conducted in two parts:
- A theory-based MCQs exam covering the entire MBBS syllabus.
- A practical exam conducted during the internship, evaluating clinical skills and competencies.
What is Rank 4000 in INI CET?
Ranking in the exam determines admission chances, with higher ranks increasing the likelihood of securing top colleges and specialty courses. A rank of 4000 in INI CET corresponds to approximately the 85-88 percentile.
| Rank in INI CET | Likely Percentile / Score Range* | Admission Chances |
|---|---|---|
| 4000 | ~85-88 percentile | Low probability for AIIMS PG seats |
| 4000 | ~85-88 percentile | Not enough for DM/MCh courses |
| 4000 | ~85-88 percentile | Consider alternative PG options |
*Percentile/Score ranges are approximate, based on previous years analysis.
Syllabus for INI CET 2026
The INI CET Syllabus 2026 covers Pre-Clinical, Para-Clinical, and Clinical Science sections. The syllabus includes the following sections:
| S.No. | Section |
|---|---|
| 1 | Dental Materials |
| 2 | Oral Pathology & Microbiology |
| 3 | Biostatistics |
| 4 | Other Topics |
Syllabus expand_more
INI CET Syllabus 2026 Overview
The INI CET Syllabus 2026 is expected to follow the MBBS/BDS format, divided into Pre-clinical, Para-clinical, and Clinical subjects. The syllabus is expected to be the same as the previous year.
- The INI CET 2026 Exam will include 200 objective-based questions, including single and multiple-correct answers.
- Total marks are 200, with +1 mark for each correct answer and 1/3 mark deducted for incorrect answers.
- The syllabus includes subjects like Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, and Forensic Medicine.
The exam is expected to be of moderate to high difficulty. Around 60 to 70% of questions come from clinical subjects, 20 to 25% from para-clinical, and 10 to 15% from pre-clinical subjects.
Candidates need conceptual clarity, case-solving ability, and time-management skills to score high in INI CET 2026.
What is the INI CET Syllabus 2026?
The INI CET Syllabus 2026 depends on the MBBS/BDS format of the Medical Council of India. It tests theoretical knowledge along with clinical application for all three subject groups: Pre-clinical, Para-clinical, and Clinical.
Through INI CET, candidates can get admission into AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, and other Institutes of National Importance.
INI CET 2026 Exam Details
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Courses Offered | MD, MS, DM (6 years), MCh (6 years), and MDS |
| Exam Date (January 2026 Session) | November 9, 2025 (Tentative as per latest schedule) |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Total Questions | 200 |
| Question Type | Objective-type (Single-best and Multiple-correct answers) |
| Total Marks | 800 |
| Marking Scheme |
|
| Language of Paper | English only |
| Syllabus Basis | MBBS/BDS curriculum — Pre-clinical, Para-clinical, and Clinical subjects |
| Major Subjects Covered | Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Forensic Medicine, Medicine, Surgery, OBG, Paediatrics, and Community Medicine |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate to Difficult (clinical questions have higher weightage) |
| Official Website | www.aiimsexams.ac.in |
INI CET vs NEET PG Difficulty
The INI CET by AIIMS is considered more difficult than NEET PG because it focuses on conceptual clarity, analytical reasoning, and case-based questions. Both exams have the same MBBS syllabus, but INI CET questions are more application-based.
INI CET Exam Pattern 2026
The INI CET 2026 exam pattern is expected to remain the same as the previous year. The exam will be held in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.
| Exam Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | AIIMS, New Delhi |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Total Questions | 200 |
| Question Type | Single and Multiple Correct MCQs |
| Total Marks | 200 |
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Language | English |
| Marking Scheme | +1 for correct, -1/3 for incorrect, 0 for unattempted |
| Syllabus Base | Entire MBBS Curriculum (Pre-, Para-, and Clinical) |
INI CET vs NEET PG: Key Differences
INI CET and NEET PG are two separate postgraduate medical entrance exams. They differ in conducting body, question style, difficulty, and frequency.
| Parameter | INI CET | NEET PG |
|---|---|---|
| Conducting Body | AIIMS, New Delhi | NBEMS |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based (CBT) | Computer-Based (CBT) |
| Question Count | 200 | 200 |
| Question Type | Conceptual, integrated, multiple correct answers possible | Straightforward, single-best answer questions |
| Difficulty Level | Highly analytical and clinical reasoning-based | Moderate – fact and concept-based |
| Competition Level | Very High (Top AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER) | High (All India Medical Colleges) |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a year (May & Nov) | Once a year |
INI CET Syllabus 2026: Subject-wise
The INI CET Syllabus 2026 is divided into Pre-clinical, Para-clinical, and Clinical subjects. Each subject will test candidates' conceptual clarity, diagnostic skills, and clinical reasoning.
INI CET Syllabus 2026 for Pre-Clinical Subjects
Anatomy Syllabus
The INI CET Anatomy syllabus will include the foundation of medical education, by testing the understanding of the human body's structure, organisation, organs and applied correlation in clinical practice.
| Main Topics | Key Subtopics | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| General Anatomy | Cells, tissues, bones, muscles, joints | Structure & functions of human body components |
| Gross Anatomy | Head & neck, thorax, abdomen, upper/lower limbs | Musculoskeletal landmarks and applied anatomy |
| Neuroanatomy | Brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves | Nervous system pathways and imaging correlations |
| Embryology & Histology | Organ development, tissue structure | Congenital anomalies, microscopic anatomy |
Physiology Syllabus
The INI CET Physiology syllabus will focus on the normal functions of organs and systems. The INI CET Questions will assess the conceptual clarity and data interpretation.
| Main Topics | Key Subtopics | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| General Physiology | Cell functions, homeostasis, and blood | Basic functional mechanisms |
| Systemic Physiology | CVS, renal, respiratory, GI, endocrine | Organ-level regulation and feedback systems |
| Neurophysiology | CNS, special senses | Neural transmission and reflexes |
| Reproductive Physiology | Male & female reproductive systems | Hormonal regulation and fertilisation |
Biochemistry Syllabus
This subject examines molecular mechanisms, enzymatic reactions, and metabolic processes essential for clinical interpretation.
| Main Topics | Key Subtopics | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Biomolecules | Proteins, lipids, carbohydrates | Structure, function, and properties |
| Enzymes | Kinetics, inhibition, regulation | Diagnostic enzymes and clinical importance |
| Metabolism | Glycolysis, TCA, urea, lipid metabolism | Integration of energy cycles |
| Molecular Biology | DNA, RNA, replication, protein synthesis | Genetic code, mutations |
| Clinical Biochemistry | Vitamins, hormones, disorders | Laboratory values and deficiency syndromes |
INI CET Syllabus 2026 for Para-Clinical Subjects
Pathology Syllabus
In INI CET Pathology will include basic science, clinical medicine, assessing the disease mechanism, histopathology and diagnostic relevance.
INI CET 2026 Syllabus for Pre-Clinical Subjects
Pathology Syllabus
The Pathology syllabus covers the mechanisms of disease, tissue repair, and organ-specific disorders. It also includes blood disorders and immune-mediated conditions.
| Main Topics | Key Subtopics | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| General Pathology | Cell injury, inflammation, and neoplasia | Mechanisms of disease and repair |
| Systemic Pathology | CVS, renal, hepatic, and respiratory systems | Organ-specific diseases |
| Hematology | Anaemia, leukaemia, and coagulation | Blood disorders and diagnostics |
| Immunopathology | Hypersensitivity, autoimmunity | Immune-mediated disorders |
Microbiology Syllabus
The Microbiology syllabus tests the understanding of infectious agents, immunity, and diagnostic approaches. Applied infection control is a key emphasis.
| Main Topics | Key Subtopics | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| General Microbiology | Bacteriology, virology, mycology | Pathogen identification and culture methods |
| Immunology | Antigens, antibodies, vaccines | Immune response and hypersensitivity |
| Systemic Microbiology | Respiratory, GI, CNS infections | Disease mechanisms |
| Clinical Microbiology | Lab diagnosis, sterilisation, AMR | Infection control and resistance trends |
Pharmacology Syllabus
The Pharmacology syllabus examines drug mechanisms, uses, and side effects. Treatment-related case studies are part of the assessment.
| Main Topics | Key Subtopics | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| General Pharmacology | Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics | Drug mechanisms and interactions |
| Systemic Pharmacology | CNS, CVS, endocrine, antimicrobial | Drug classes and MOA |
| Toxicology | Poisons, antidotes | Emergency management |
| Clinical Pharmacology | Rational drug use, trials | Pharmacovigilance and ADRs |
Forensic Medicine Syllabus
The Forensic Medicine syllabus focuses on medico-legal aspects, post-mortem findings, and toxicology. It includes factual and scoring topics.
| Main Topics | Key Subtopics | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Medicine | Medico-legal autopsy, consent | Laws and ethics |
| Toxicology | Poisons, chemical analysis | Identification and management |
| Sexual Offences | Examination, reporting | Medical evidence and documentation |
| Identification | Age, sex, and race estimation | Forensic characteristics |
INI CET Syllabus 2026 for Clinical Subjects
General Medicine Syllabus
The General Medicine syllabus includes a clinical section with the highest weightage. It evaluates clinical reasoning, diagnosis, and management.
| Main Topics | Key Subtopics | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiology | MI, heart failure, arrhythmia | ECG, drug management |
| Neurology | Stroke, epilepsy, CNS infections | Case diagnosis |
| Respiratory | COPD, asthma, pneumonia | Ventilation and ABG |
| Endocrinology | Diabetes, thyroid disorders | Hormonal regulation |
| Gastroenterology | Hepatitis, IBD, ulcers | GI bleeding, diagnostic clues |
General Surgery Syllabus
The General Surgery syllabus tests clinical management, operative principles, and emergency care. The orientation is practical and applied.
| Main Topics | Key Subtopics | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| General Principles | Shock, wound healing, infection control | Fluid balance and resuscitation |
| GI Surgery | Hernia, ulcer, appendicitis | Surgical anatomy & complications |
| Orthopaedics | Fractures, trauma | Radiological diagnosis |
| Urology | Stones, renal surgeries | Case-based scenarios |
| Oncosurgery | Tumours, biopsy | Cancer staging and treatment basics |
Obstetrics & Gynaecology Syllabus
The Obstetrics & Gynaecology syllabus includes questions on labour complications and fetal diseases. Graph-based questions from the partograph and CTG are also part of the exam.
Community medicine is integrated for topics like MTP and contraception.
INI CET 2026 Important Subjects
The INI CET 2026 important subjects are those that are consistently asked with a high number of questions, carrying a weightage of 60 to 65% of the exam. These subjects are grouped into Pre-Clinical, Para-Clinical, and Clinical categories.
| Subject Group | Subjects Included | Importance Level | Type of Questions Asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Clinical | Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry | Moderate | Conceptual and image-based |
| Para-Clinical | Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Forensic Medicine | High | Mechanism-based and reasoning-based |
| Clinical | Medicine, Surgery, OBG, Paediatrics, ENT, Ophthalmology, Community Medicine | Very High | Case-based and integrated questions |
High-Weightage Subjects in INI CET 2026
High-weightage subjects are those that carry the most marks in the INI CET Exam. As per the previous year's analysis, Medicine (20%), Surgery (15%), and OBG (10%) have high weightage.
| Subject | Approx. Weightage (%) | Expected No. of Questions (Out of 200) | Nature of Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicine | 20% | 40 | Clinical, integrated, case-based |
| Surgery | 15% | 30 | Procedural, trauma, and oncology |
| Obstetrics & Gynaecology | 10% | 20 | Pregnancy, reproductive health |
| Pathology | 8% | 16 | Disease mechanisms, lab findings |
| Pharmacology | 7% | 14 | Mechanism of action, side effects |
| Microbiology | 5% | 10 | Infections, lab diagnosis |
| Community Medicine | 5% | 10 | Epidemiology, biostatistics |
| Others (ENT, Paediatrics, Anatomy, etc.) | 30% | 60 | One-liners and integrated topics |
INI CET Syllabus 2026: Subject-Wise Weightage
The INI CET Exam tests candidates on Pre-Clinical, Para-Clinical, and Clinical subjects. Understanding the weightage helps candidates prioritise their preparation schedule.
- Clinical subjects carry the majority of weightage, with 45 to 55% of questions; General Medicine, Surgery, and Obstetrics & Gynaecology are important.
- Para-clinical subjects include 25 to 30% of the exam, with Pathology and Pharmacology required for a strong performance.
- Pre-clinical subjects have a weightage of 15 to 22% of the exam; understanding Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry is crucial for foundational knowledge.
Obstetrics and Gynaecology Syllabus
The Obstetrics and Gynaecology syllabus covers pregnancy management, diagnosis, and treatment of reproductive health conditions. It also includes national family planning programs.
| Main Topics | Key Subtopics | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Obstetrics | Antenatal care, labour, and complications | Pregnancy management |
| Gynaecology | Menstrual disorders, infertility, tumours | Diagnosis and treatment |
| Family Planning | Contraceptives, sterilisation | National programs |
| Recent Advances | ART, fetal monitoring | Technology and updates |
Paediatrics Syllabus
In the Paediatrics syllabus, vaccination and milestone questions are frequently asked. Neonatal resuscitation and jaundice questions also appear often. It is an easy-to-revise and score section.
| Main Topics | Key Subtopics | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Growth & Development | Milestones, growth charts | Normal vs. delayed growth |
| Neonatology | Jaundice, prematurity | Neonatal care and emergencies |
| Nutrition | Malnutrition, supplements | Feeding and deficiency disorders |
| Infectious Diseases | Measles, pneumonia, meningitis | Immunization schedule |
Community Medicine Syllabus
The Community Medicine syllabus includes statistics and health programs. Case study-based questions are asked along with epidemiology models.
| Main Topics | Key Subtopics | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Epidemiology | Study designs, bias, biostatistics | Data interpretation |
| Health Programs | National health schemes | Program-based factual questions |
| Environmental Health | Water, sanitation, pollution | Preventive strategies |
| Health Management | Indicators, screening methods | Policy and planning |
INI CET 2026 Subject-Wise Weightage and Question Distribution
The INI CET 2026 exam has a total of 200 questions. The questions are divided across three subject groups: Pre-Clinical, Para-Clinical, and Clinical.
| Category | Subjects | Expected Questions | Approximate Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Clinical | Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry | 30–45 | 15–22% |
| Para-Clinical | Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Forensic Medicine, Community Medicine | 50–60 | 25–30% |
| Clinical | General Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics, ENT, Ophthalmology, etc. | 90–110 | 45–55% |
| Total | All Subjects | 200 | 100% |
Important Subjects for INI CET 2026
The important subjects for INI CET are those with high weightage and frequent questions in the exam. Based on the previous year's paper, Medicine, Surgery, Pathology, Pharmacology, and Obstetrics & Gynaecology are the most important subjects.
| Subject Group | Key Subjects | Importance Level | Question Type Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Clinical | Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry | Moderate | Conceptual & Image-based |
| Para-Clinical | Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Forensic Medicine | High | Mechanism-based, diagnostic |
| Clinical | Medicine, Surgery, OBG, Paediatrics, ENT, Ophthalmology | Very High | Case-based, integrated questions |
High-Weightage Subjects in INI CET 2026
Clinical subjects carry the highest weightage in INI CET at 65 to 70%. Para-clinical subjects have 20 to 25% weightage, and pre-clinical subjects have 10 to 15% weightage.
| Subject | Approx. Weightage (%) | Nature of Questions | Expected No. of Questions (Out of 200) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicine | 20% | Clinical scenarios, diagnosis | 40 |
| Surgery | 15% | Trauma, oncology, general surgery | 30 |
| OBG | 10% | Reproductive physiology, procedures | 20 |
| Pathology | 8% | Disease mechanisms, histopathology | 16 |
| Pharmacology | 7% | Drug actions, mechanisms | 14 |
| Microbiology | 5% | Infection, lab diagnosis | 10 |
| Others (ENT, Paediatrics, Anatomy, etc.) | 35% | Integrated case questions | 70 |
Seats in INI CET 2026
INI CET 2026 will have a total of 1300 to 1400 PG seats across 20+ INIs, including AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, and NIMHANS. The total seat number can vary with each session, depending on seat intake and approvals.
| Institute | Approx. Seats Offered | Popular Branches |
|---|---|---|
| AIIMS New Delhi | 250+ | Medicine, Radiology, OBG, Surgery |
| JIPMER Puducherry | 150+ | Medicine, Anaesthesia, Paediatrics |
| PGIMER Chandigarh | 200+ | Surgery, ENT, Ophthalmology |
| AIIMS Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Rishikesh, Raipur, Jodhpur (Combined) | 500+ | Pathology, Orthopaedics, Community Medicine |
| NIMHANS Bengaluru | 60+ | Psychiatry, Neurology, Neurosurgery |
INI CET 2026 Syllabus: Recommended Books
Preparation for the INI CET syllabus requires a combination of core MBBS textbooks for conceptual clarity and MCQ question banks for exam-based practice.
Recommended Books for INI CET 2026
Core MBBS textbooks form the base for understanding concepts. MCQ practice books help with exam pattern familiarity and speed.
INI CET Preparation Strategy
INI CET covers 19 subjects from the MBBS syllabus, and the exam contains 200 questions.
Preparation of 6 to 8 months is generally required, based on previous year trends. Conceptual clarity, integrated learning, and mock tests are essential parts of the preparation.
Key Preparation Points
- Mock tests and time management can improve accuracy by around 70 to 75%, which supports strong exam performance.
- High-weightage subjects such as Medicine, Surgery, and OBG should be prioritised, as they contribute to around 50% of the exam.
Recommended Books for INI CET
Choosing the right books is important for INI CET preparation, as the exam demands conceptual clarity and application of knowledge.
The table below lists standard textbooks and PG-level preparation books by subject.
| Subject | Recommended Standard Textbooks | PG-Level Preparation Books | Why These Help |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anatomy | BD Chaurasia, Vishram Singh | Arvind Arora (AA) Notes | Clear 3D concepts and image-based practice |
| Physiology | Guyton & Hall, Ganong | Dr Soumen Manna Notes | Builds physiology-based clinical reasoning |
| Biochemistry | Harper’s Illustrated, Satyanarayana | Rebecca James Book | Concept clarity and pathway-based recall |
| Pathology | Robbins & Cotran | Sparsh Gupta Notes | High-yield histopathology and reasoning |
| Pharmacology | KD Tripathi | Ranjan Kumar Patel | Mechanism-based learning and MCQ recall |
| Microbiology | Ananthanarayan & Paniker | Apurba Sastry | Focused on infection and lab correlations |
| Medicine | Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine | Deepak Marwah, Mudit Khanna | Clinical scenario practice |
| Surgery | SRB’s Manual, Bailey & Love | Pritesh Singh Review | Case-based and procedural learning |
| OBG | DC Dutta, Shaw’s Textbook | Sakshi Arora Notes | Quick revision and case handling |
| Community Medicine | Park’s Textbook | Vivek Jain Review | Epidemiology and preventive medicine focus |
Subject-Wise Standard Books for INI CET
The following table lists standard textbooks for each subject, along with their purpose and focus areas.
| Subject | Recommended Books | Purpose / Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Anatomy | Grey’s Anatomy, B.D. Chaurasia’s Human Anatomy | Detailed concepts, diagrams, and applied anatomy |
| Physiology | Guyton & Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology, Ganong’s Review | Conceptual understanding, high-yield mechanisms |
| Biochemistry | Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry, Lippincott’s Biochemistry | Metabolic pathways, clinical correlations |
| Pathology | Robbins & Cotran Pathology, Harsh Mohan | Systemic and general pathology, histology slides |
| Microbiology | Ananthanarayan & Paniker, Jawetz, Melnick & Adelberg | Bacteriology, virology, immunology, clinical cases |
| Pharmacology | Katzung’s Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, Rang & Dale | Mechanisms of drugs, side effects, and toxicology |
| Forensic Medicine | Reddy & Murthy, K.S. N. Pillai | Toxicology, medico-legal cases, law-based questions |
| Medicine | Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, API Textbook | Case-based reasoning, systemic disorders |
| Surgery | Bailey & Love’s Short Practice of Surgery, Schwartz | Surgical principles, trauma, and operative management |
| OBG | D.C. Dutta, Textbook of Obstetrics & Gynaecology | Labour, complications, clinical cases |
| Paediatrics | Nelson Textbook of Paediatrics | Growth, nutrition, pediatric disorders, vaccines |
| Community Medicine | Park’s Textbook of Preventive & Social Medicine | Epidemiology, national programs, biostatistics |
How to Prepare for INI CET in 1 Month
A proper, intensive, and smart preparation plan is required to prepare for INI CET in 1 month. The plan should focus on high-weightage topics, previous year questions, and notes.
The table below outlines a week-wise preparation schedule.
| Week | Key Focus Areas | Subjects to Prioritise | Recommended Tasks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Core Clinical Revision | Medicine, Surgery, OBG | Revise notes, focus on integrated topics, attempt 2 mocks |
| Week 2 | Para-Clinical Strengthening | Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology | Practice MCQs, review mechanisms and charts |
| Week 3 | Short Subjects + Pre-Clinical | ENT, Ophthalmology, Anatomy, Physiology | Quick 1-liners and image-based recall |
| Week 4 | Full-Length Revision | All 19 Subjects | Attempt daily full mocks, analyse errors, and focus on weak areas |
INI CET 2026 Toppers' Preparation Strategy
Toppers of INI CET typically study for 8–10 hours per day. The focus is on quality over quantity, with 4 hours for concepts and 4 hours for practice.
- Mock Tests Attempted: 30–40 full mocks are taken. Each mock is analysed for mistakes, and accuracy improvement is tracked.
- Revision Rounds: 2–3 complete revisions are done. The final 15 days are reserved for high-yield notes and clinical correlations.
- High-Yield Subjects: Medicine carries 20% weightage, Surgery 15%, and Pathology 10%. Preparation should be prioritised based on this weightage.
FAQs for INI CET Syllabus 2026
Has the NEET 2026 Syllabus Changed?
As per the latest updates, the NEET 2026 Syllabus is expected to be the same and follow the pattern of the NCERT Class 11 and 12 syllabus of Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
| Exam Year | Syllabus Base | Change Status | Conducting Body |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEET 2026 | NCERT Class 11–12 | No change | NTA |
What is the INI CET Exam Syllabus?
The INI CET Syllabus is based on the entire MBBS format, which covers pre-clinical, para-clinical and clinical subjects.
| Section | Subjects Included | Approx. Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-clinical | Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry | 15% |
| Para-clinical | Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Forensic Medicine | 25% |
| Clinical | Medicine, Surgery, OBG, Paediatrics, Ophthalmology, ENT, Community Medicine | 60% |
Is it hard to crack INI CET?
Yes, the INI CET Exam is hard to crack as the seats are limited and the competition is high.
- Only around 1,400 seats for more than 70,000 candidates.
- High conceptual depth is required.
- Consistent revision of MBBS subjects is important.
How many people gave the INI CET in 2026?
Around 70,000 candidates have appeared in INI CET 2026 and will compete for 1,400 MD/MS seats.
| Exam Year | Total Applicants | Appeared Candidates | Attendance % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (Expected) | ~75,000 | ~70,000 | ~93% |
| 2025 | 72,000 | 67,000 | 93% |
How many seats are in INI CET 2026?
The INI CET is expected to have around 1300 to 1400 PG seats in AIIMS, JIPMER and NIMHANS campuses. The seat distribution will differ according to the session.
INI CET Seat Distribution Across Participating Institutes
The Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test (INI CET) offers approximately 1300–1400 MD/MS/MDS seats across 20+ Institutes of National Importance (INIs).
The table below shows the seat distribution and major courses offered at each participating institute.
| Institute | Approx. Seats Offered | Major Courses Offered |
|---|---|---|
| AIIMS New Delhi | 250+ | Medicine, Radiology, Surgery, OBG |
| JIPMER Puducherry | 150+ | Medicine, Anaesthesia, Paediatrics |
| PGIMER Chandigarh | 200+ | Surgery, ENT, Ophthalmology |
| AIIMS (Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Raipur, Rishikesh, Jodhpur – Combined) | 500+ | Orthopaedics, Pathology, Community Medicine |
| NIMHANS Bengaluru | 60+ | Psychiatry, Neurology, Neurosurgery |
| Total (Approx.) | 1300–1400 | MD/MS/MDS courses across 20+ INIs |
INI CET Exam Syllabus
The INI CET syllabus is based on the entire MBBS format, covering pre-clinical, para-clinical and clinical subjects.
The syllabus follows the NCERT Class 11 and 12 pattern for Physics, Chemistry and Biology, with no change expected for the upcoming exam year.
| Section | Subjects Included | Approx. Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-clinical | Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry | 15% |
| Para-clinical | Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Forensic Medicine | 25% |
| Clinical | Medicine, Surgery, OBG, Paediatrics, Ophthalmology, ENT, Community Medicine | 60% |
Difficulty Level of INI CET
INI CET is hard to crack because seats are limited and competition is high.
Only around 1,400 seats are available for more than 70,000 candidates. High conceptual depth is required, and consistent revision of MBBS subjects is important.
INI CET 2026 Candidate Statistics
Around 70,000 candidates appeared in INI CET 2026 and competed for 1,400 MD/MS seats.
| Exam Year | Total Applicants Appeared | Candidates Attendance % |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (Expected) | ~75,000 | ~70,000 |
| 2025 | 72,000 | 67,000 |
The attendance percentage for both years was approximately 93%.
Cut-offs expand_more
INI CET 2026 Qualifying Cutoff
The INI CET 2026 qualifying cutoff was released by AIIMS, New Delhi on May 23, 2026, along with the May session result. The cutoff for UR and EWS candidates is 50.17 percentile. For OBC, SC, ST, and PwBD candidates, the cutoff is 45.29 percentile.
A total of 51,184 candidates qualified for the July 2026 intake counselling. This is about 2,184 more than the May 2025 session. These candidates can participate in seat allotment at AIIMS (all campuses), PGIMER Chandigarh, JIPMER Puducherry, NIMHANS Bengaluru, and SCTIMST Trivandrum.
INI CET July 2026 Counselling Schedule
Round 1 choice filling and locking for INI CET July 2026 counselling is scheduled from June 16 to 17, 2026. The Round 1 seat allotment result is expected shortly after on aiimsexams.ac.in.
Institute-wise Round 1 closing ranks will be available after June 17, 2026. The 2025 final round data serves as reference until then.
Key Details of INI CET 2026 Cutoff
- The INI CET 2026 qualifying cutoff for UR and EWS candidates is 50.17 percentile, declared on May 23, 2026 with the result.
- OBC, SC, ST, and PwBD candidates need a minimum of 45.29 percentile to qualify for the July 2026 intake counselling.
- A total of 51,184 candidates qualified for the July 2026 session.
- Only candidates ranked within the top 5 to 10 typically secure MD General Medicine or Radiodiagnosis at AIIMS Delhi.
- Approximately 2,000+ PG seats are available through INI CET counselling across all participating institutes for the July 2026 intake.
- All qualifying cutoff PDFs and counselling schedules are published at aiimsexams.ac.in.
INI CET 2026 Result and Cutoff Status
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| INI CET 2026 Result and Qualifying Cutoff | Out |
| INI CET July 2026 Counselling Schedule | Out |
| INI CET 2026 Round 1 Closing Ranks | Soon |
Key Summary of INI CET 2026
- The INI CET 2026 qualifying cutoff is 50.17 percentile (UR/EWS) and 45.29 percentile (OBC/SC/ST/PwBD), declared on May 23, 2026.
- 51,184 candidates qualified for the July 2026 session – the qualified pool grew by 2,184 from May 2025.
- Round 1 institute-wise closing ranks release after June 17, 2026. In 2025, AIIMS Delhi closed within rank 5 for MD General Medicine (UR).
- PGIMER Chandigarh closed within rank 180 for Radiodiagnosis and rank 350 for General Medicine (UR, final round, July 2025).
- Clearing the qualifying percentile grants counselling eligibility only. Admission to competitive specialties needs a score of 130 marks or above.
What is INI CET Cutoff 2026?
The INI CET cutoff is the minimum qualifying percentile to enter the counselling process for PG medical admissions. AIIMS, New Delhi sets and publishes this cutoff after each session's result. It acts as the first gate.
Only candidates who clear this percentile can participate in seat allotment at AIIMS, PGIMER, JIPMER, NIMHANS, and SCTIMST.
INI CET Qualifying Cutoff and Admission Cutoff
INI CET has two different cutoff types. The qualifying cutoff is the minimum percentile needed to enter counselling. The admission cutoff is the closing rank for a specific specialty at a specific institute.
For UR and EWS candidates, the qualifying cutoff is the 50th percentile. For OBC, SC, ST, and PwBD candidates, it is the 45th percentile. These two numbers differ greatly.
Clearing the qualifying threshold only gets a candidate into the counselling process. Securing MD General Medicine at AIIMS Delhi requires a rank of about 5. Most qualifying candidates cannot reach this level.
Previous Year Official INI CET Qualifying Cutoff
The table below shows the official qualifying cutoff for five recent INI CET sessions. AIIMS, New Delhi released these figures. INI CET runs twice a year. The May session feeds the July intake. The November session feeds the January intake.
| Session | Intake Year | Exam Date | UR / EWS Qualifying Percentile | OBC / SC / ST / PwBD Percentile | Total Candidates Qualified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2026 (July intake) | 2026 | May 16, 2026 | 50.17 | 45.29 | 51,184 |
| Nov 2025 (Jan intake) | 2026 | Nov 9, 2025 | 50.00 | 45.00 | 32,374 |
| May 2025 (July intake) | 2025 | May 17, 2025 | 50.00 | 45.00 | ~49,000 |
| Nov 2024 (Jan intake) | 2025 | Nov 2024 | 50.00 | 45.00 | ~29,000 |
| May 2024 (July intake) | 2024 | May 2024 | 50.00 | 45.00 | ~46,000 |
Source: AIIMS Examinations – aiimsexams.ac.in
The INI CET qualifying cutoff has held at the 50th percentile for UR and EWS. For reserved categories, it stays at 45th. This has been consistent across all five sessions.
The May 2026 session saw a marginal rise to 50.17 (UR/EWS) and 45.29 (reserved). The total qualified pool grew by about 2,184 candidates from May 2025 to May 2026. More candidates chasing the same seats will push admission closing ranks tighter in the July 2026 session.
Is Clearing the Qualifying Cutoff Enough for AIIMS Delhi?
No. The qualifying percentile makes a candidate eligible for counselling, nothing more. Admission to AIIMS Delhi for MD General Medicine or Radiodiagnosis requires a rank within the top 10.
A candidate needs to score roughly 145 marks or above out of 200 to realistically target those seats.
INI CET Cutoff 2026: Important Dates
The table below covers all key events in the INI CET July 2026 session timeline. Upcoming events appear first in chronological order. Past events follow in the order they occurred.
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 Choice Filling and Locking | June 16 – 17, 2026 | Upcoming |
| Round 1 Seat Allotment Result | ~June 20 – 22, 2026 (expected) | Upcoming |
| Round 1 Fee Payment and Document Verification | ~June 20 – 25, 2026 (expected) | Upcoming |
| Round 1 PWBD Candidate Reporting at AIIMS | June 25, 2026 | Upcoming |
| Round 2 Choice Filling and Allotment | ~July 2026 (expected) | Upcoming |
| Round 2 PWBD Candidate Reporting at AIIMS | July 11, 2026 | Upcoming |
| Mop-up Round | ~August 2026 (expected) | Upcoming |
| INI CET May 2026 Exam | May 16, 2026 | Over |
| Result and Qualifying Cutoff Declared | May 23, 2026 | Over |
| Counselling Registration | June 1 – 13, 2026 | Over |
| Mock Round Choice Filling | Till June 13, 2026 (5 PM) | Over |
| Mock Round Allotment Result | June 15, 2026 | Over |
Factors Affecting INI CET 2026 Cutoff
Both the qualifying percentile and the admission closing ranks shift from session to session. The key factors that drive those changes are listed below.
- Number of candidates appearing for the exam
- Difficulty level of the question paper
- Number of seats available in each specialty
- Previous year closing ranks
- Category of the candidate
INI CET 2026 Cutoff: Key Factors That Affect Closing Ranks
Several factors decide the closing ranks for INI CET 2026. These factors apply to both the qualifying cutoff and the final admission cutoff.
- Total candidates in the qualified pool: The May 2026 session produced 51,184 qualified candidates. That is about 2,184 more than May 2025. More candidates chasing the same seats pushes closing ranks tighter across most institutes.
- Total seats available: Around 2,000+ PG seats are offered through INI CET counselling. If seat count stays flat while the candidate pool grows, every seat becomes harder to get.
- Exam difficulty: A harder paper lowers average scores. The percentile threshold stays at 50th, but the actual marks needed drop. An easier paper raises the qualifying score.
- Specialty preference patterns: Radiodiagnosis, Dermatology, and General Medicine are the most preferred PG specialties. Their closing ranks at top institutes stay consistently low. Basic science specialties like Anatomy and Biochemistry remain the least competitive.
- Institute preference patterns: Top-ranked candidates heavily prefer AIIMS Delhi, PGIMER, and NIMHANS. Newer AIIMS campuses attract fewer top-rank candidates, leading to more relaxed closing ranks at those campuses.
- Category-wise seat reservation: Seats for OBC, SC, and ST candidates are reserved under government norms. Closing ranks for reserved categories are always more relaxed than UR for the same specialty at the same institute.
- Addition of new seats or programs: When AIIMS adds seats or new institutes join the counselling pool, closing ranks ease marginally for those specialties or campuses.
INI CET 2026 Qualifying Cutoff: Category-Wise
The table below shows the official category-wise qualifying percentile for the INI CET May 2026 session. These are the minimum thresholds to enter the July 2026 intake counselling. Crossing these numbers gives you access to seat allotment – not a guaranteed seat at any institute.
| Category | Qualifying Percentile (May 2026) | Approximate Score Equivalent (out of 200) | Counselling Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | 50.17 | ~98 – 100 | All UR quota seats at participating institutes |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 50.17 | ~98 – 100 | EWS quota seats at participating institutes |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 45.29 | ~90 – 95 | OBC quota seats at participating institutes |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 45.29 | ~88 – 93 | SC quota seats at participating institutes |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 45.29 | ~85 – 90 | ST quota seats at participating institutes |
| Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) | 45.29 | ~85 – 90 | PwBD quota seats at participating institutes |
| Foreign Nationals / OCI / Sponsored | 50.17 | ~98 – 100 | FN/OCI/Sponsored seats at designated institutes |
Source: AIIMS Examinations – aiimsexams.ac.in
The score equivalent is approximate and shifts with exam difficulty each session. In May 2026, UR candidates needed about 98 to 100 marks out of 200 to hit the qualifying threshold. That score only qualifies you for counselling. Securing a competitive specialty at AIIMS Delhi needs a score closer to 145 to 155 marks.
INI CET 2026 Admission Cutoff: Institute-Wise Closing Ranks
The institute-wise admission cutoff will be released after Round 1 allotment. It is expected around June 20 to 22, 2026. Until then, the table below shows final round closing ranks from the July 2025 session as a reference. These numbers give you a reliable baseline for 2026.
The 2026 Round 1 closing ranks are not yet available as of June 15, 2026. The table below reflects July 2025 final round data. It will be updated once the 2026 Round 1 allotment result is declared.
INI CET 2026 Cutoff: Institute-Wise Closing Ranks
The table below shows the UR, OBC, SC, and ST closing ranks for the final round of the July 2025 INI CET session. These ranks are a reference for the 2026 admission cycle.
| Institute | UR Closing Rank (Final Round, July 2025) | OBC Closing Rank | SC Closing Rank | ST Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIIMS New Delhi | 5 – 500* | 50 – 1,200 | 100 – 2,500 | 150 – 3,500 |
| PGIMER Chandigarh | 180 – 1,500* | 400 – 3,000 | 600 – 5,000 | 800 – 6,500 |
| JIPMER Puducherry | 500 – 3,000* | 800 – 5,000 | 1,200 – 7,000 | 1,500 – 8,500 |
| NIMHANS Bengaluru | 40 – 800* | 100 – 1,800 | 200 – 3,000 | 300 – 4,000 |
| SCTIMST Trivandrum | 50 – 600* | 120 – 1,500 | 250 – 2,800 | 400 – 4,000 |
| AIIMS Jodhpur | 500 – 4,000* | 800 – 7,000 | 1,500 – 10,000 | 2,000 – 12,000 |
| AIIMS Rishikesh | 400 – 4,500* | 700 – 8,000 | 1,200 – 12,000 | 1,800 – 15,000 |
| AIIMS Bhopal | 600 – 5,000* | 900 – 8,000 | 1,800 – 12,000 | 2,500 – 15,000 |
| AIIMS Patna | 700 – 6,000* | 1,000 – 9,000 | 2,000 – 13,000 | 3,000 – 16,000 |
| AIIMS Bhubaneswar | 800 – 6,500* | 1,200 – 10,000 | 2,200 – 14,000 | 3,500 – 18,000 |
*Range covers competitive to non-competitive specialties at each institute. A lower rank (smaller number) corresponds to high-demand specialties like Radiodiagnosis, General Medicine, and Dermatology. A higher rank corresponds to less preferred specialties like Anatomy and Biochemistry. Based on official July 2025 session counselling results.
INI CET 2026 Cutoff: Round-Wise Analysis
INI CET counselling runs across three rounds – Round 1, Round 2, and a Mop-up Round. Closing ranks shift across rounds. Here is what to expect from each:
- Round 1: Top-ranked candidates lock their most preferred seats. Closing ranks for AIIMS Delhi’s top specialties get set almost immediately. For most other institutes, Round 1 closing ranks tend to be tighter than the final round.
- Round 2: Seats freed by candidates who upgraded or withdrew re-enter the pool. Some institutes see closing ranks shift by 30 to 150 ranks. This is the main opportunity for mid-rank candidates to secure their preferred choices.
- Mop-up Round: Only unfilled seats remain. Non-competitive specialties at newer AIIMS campuses typically close at much higher ranks. Candidates with ranks above 5,000 find more options here.
The table below compares Round 1 and final round closing ranks for key specialties. Data is from the July 2025 session, UR category, as a reference for 2026.
| Institute | Specialty | Round 1 Closing Rank (July 2025) | Final Round Closing Rank (July 2025) | Rank Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIIMS Delhi | MD General Medicine | 4 | 5 | +1 |
| AIIMS Delhi | MD Radiodiagnosis | 5 | 6 | +1 |
| PGIMER Chandigarh | MD Radiodiagnosis | 150 | 180 | +30 |
| PGIMER Chandigarh | MD General Medicine | 300 | 350 | +50 |
| JIPMER Puducherry | MD General Medicine | 600 | 700 | +100 |
| AIIMS Jodhpur | MD General Medicine | 400 | 550 | +150 |
| AIIMS Patna | MD Anatomy | 4,500 | 5,800 | +1,300 |
AIIMS Delhi’s top specialties shifted by just 1 rank between Round 1 and the final round. At mid-tier institutes, the shift ranged from 30 to 150 ranks. Non-competitive specialties at newer AIIMS campuses can shift by 1,000 ranks or more. If you missed your target seat in Round 1, Round 2 is your best second chance. This is especially true for PGIMER, JIPMER, and AIIMS Jodhpur.
INI CET 2026 Specialty-Wise Cutoff
The admission cutoff varies sharply by specialty. The table below shows approximate UR closing ranks by specialty. Data comes from the July 2025 session final round for key INI CET participating institutes.
INI CET 2026 Closing Ranks for Top Institutes
The table below shows approximate closing ranks for the UR category at AIIMS Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh, JIPMER Puducherry, and NIMHANS/SCTIMST. These ranks are from the July 2025 session final round.
| Specialty | AIIMS Delhi UR Rank | PGIMER Chandigarh UR Rank | JIPMER Puducherry UR Rank | NIMHANS / SCTIMST UR Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MD General Medicine | ~5 | ~350 | ~700 | — |
| MD Radiodiagnosis | ~6 | ~180 | ~600 | — |
| MD Dermatology | ~12 | ~250 | ~800 | — |
| MD Pediatrics | ~30 | ~400 | ~850 | — |
| MS Obstetrics and Gynaecology | ~80 | ~500 | ~900 | — |
| MS General Surgery | ~150 | ~600 | ~1,000 | — |
| MD Psychiatry | ~200 | ~800 | ~1,200 | ~80 (NIMHANS) |
| DM Neurology | ~15 | ~100 | — | ~40 (NIMHANS) |
| DM Cardiology | ~20 | ~120 | ~400 | ~35 (SCTIMST) |
| MDS (Dental Specialties) | ~500 | — | ~1,000 | — |
| MD Anatomy / Physiology | ~3,000 | ~5,500 | ~7,000 | — |
| MD Biochemistry | ~3,500 | ~6,000 | ~8,000 | — |
Reserved category closing ranks are typically 2 to 5 times higher (more relaxed) than UR ranks. INI CET 2026 data will be updated after each counselling round.
NIMHANS is the most competitive institute specifically for Psychiatry and Neurology. DM Neurology at NIMHANS closed at rank 40, which is below AIIMS Delhi's closing rank for the same specialty.
Which Specialty Closes at the Lowest Rank at AIIMS Delhi?
MD General Medicine and MD Radiodiagnosis typically close within ranks 5 to 6 at AIIMS Delhi for the UR category. DM Neurology and DM Cardiology also close within the top 20.
To target these seats, a score of roughly 148 marks or above out of 200 is needed.
INI CET Previous Year Cutoff Trends
The table below tracks closing ranks for four key specialties at two institutes. It covers the May (July intake) sessions from 2022 to 2025, UR category, final round. This shows how INI CET cutoff competition has shifted year on year.
| Session (May, July Intake) | AIIMS Delhi – MD Medicine UR | AIIMS Delhi – MD Radiodiagnosis UR | PGIMER – MD Medicine UR | JIPMER – MD Medicine UR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2022 | 5 | 6 | 280 | 550 |
| May 2023 | 5 | 6 | 300 | 580 |
| May 2024 | 4 | 5 | 320 | 630 |
| May 2025 | 5 | 6 | 350 | 700 |
| May 2026 | To be updated after Round 1 | To be updated after Round 1 | To be updated after Round 1 | To be updated after Round 1 |
AIIMS Delhi's closing ranks for MD General Medicine and Radiodiagnosis stayed within 4 to 6 across all four sessions from 2022 to 2025. This is an effectively saturated competitive environment.
At PGIMER Chandigarh, the MD General Medicine closing rank moved from 280 in 2022 to 350 in 2025. That is a tightening of 70 ranks over three years.
JIPMER Puducherry showed a larger shift, from 550 in 2022 to 700 in 2025. That is a tightening of 150 ranks over the same period. Both trends reflect rising demand for seats at Tier-2 INI CET institutes.
The May 2026 pool is 2,184 candidates larger than May 2025. Closing ranks at PGIMER and JIPMER are expected to tighten by 30 to 80 ranks this year. AIIMS Delhi's most competitive specialties are already near their practical minimum and are unlikely to move significantly.
Has INI CET Cutoff Been Getting Tougher Every Year?
The qualifying percentile threshold has stayed constant at 50th for UR and 45th for reserved categories. But admission closing ranks at mid-tier institutes have tightened steadily.
PGIMER's MD General Medicine closing rank moved from 280 in 2022 to 350 in 2025. That is a shift of 70 ranks over three sessions. AIIMS Delhi has barely moved because its top specialties already close within rank 4 to 6.
INI CET Marks vs Rank 2026
INI CET ranks come from percentile scores calculated after each session's result. The table below shows how marks translate to approximate ranks, using the November 2025 session result as a reference.
The mapping shifts slightly with exam difficulty across sessions.
INI CET 2026: Marks vs Rank vs Percentile
The table below shows the expected rank and percentile for different marks ranges in INI CET 2026. It also lists the likely admission possibilities at each level.
| Marks Range (out of 200) | Approximate Rank | Approximate Percentile | Likely Admission Possibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150 and above | Top 50 | 99.95 and above | AIIMS Delhi – competitive specialties (Medicine, Radiodiagnosis, Dermatology) |
| 140 – 149 | 51 – 200 | 99.80 – 99.95 | AIIMS Delhi (most specialties), PGIMER (Radiodiagnosis, Neurology) |
| 130 – 139 | 201 – 700 | 99.30 – 99.80 | PGIMER competitive specialties, NIMHANS, SCTIMST |
| 120 – 129 | 701 – 2,000 | 98.00 – 99.30 | JIPMER, AIIMS Jodhpur and Rishikesh (competitive specialties) |
| 110 – 119 | 2,001 – 4,000 | 95.00 – 98.00 | Newer AIIMS campuses – mid-tier specialties |
| 100 – 109 | 4,001 – 7,000 | 88.00 – 95.00 | Basic science specialties at newer AIIMS (Anatomy, Physiology) |
| ~98 – 100 | 7,001 – 10,000 | ~50.17 | Qualifying threshold only – counselling eligibility, no seat guarantee |
A 1 to 2 mark gap in the 120 to 140 range shifts rank by 100 to 300 positions. This is where most competition concentrates for seats at PGIMER, NIMHANS, SCTIMST, and JIPMER.
Score above 130 marks for a realistic shot at a competitive specialty. Options open at PGIMER, NIMHANS, or SCTIMST. Below 110 marks, options are mostly limited to basic science specialties at newer AIIMS campuses.
INI CET 2026: Counselling Process Overview
AIIMS, New Delhi conducts INI CET counselling centrally for all participating institutes. The process runs in three rounds.
- Registration and Document Upload: After the result, qualified candidates register for counselling on aiimsexams.ac.in and upload required documents. Registration for the July 2026 session ran from June 1 to 13, 2026.
- Mock Round: A practice round lets candidates preview where their rank lands with chosen preferences. The mock round has no bearing on actual allotment. The July 2026 mock allotment result was released on June 15, 2026.
- Choice Filling and Locking: Candidates rank their preferred institute-specialty-category combinations. Locked choices cannot be changed. Round 1 choice filling for July 2026 runs from June 16 to 17, 2026.
- Seat Allotment: AIIMS processes rank, category, and locked choices to generate the allotment result. The Round 1 allotment result is expected around June 20 to 22, 2026.
- Fee Payment and Reporting: If allotted, candidates pay the acceptance fee and report to their institute for document verification. PwBD candidates have a designated reporting date of June 25, 2026 for Round 1.
- Upgrading in Round 2: Candidates holding a Round 1 seat can participate in Round 2 for a better option. A better seat in Round 2 cancels the Round 1 allotment automatically. Round 2 is expected in July 2026.
- Mop-up Round: Remaining unfilled seats go to the mop-up round. This is the final chance before institute-level processes fill residual vacancies. The mop-up round is expected in August 2026.
How to Check INI CET Cutoff 2026
The official qualifying cutoff and round-wise closing rank PDFs are available on the AIIMS website. Follow these steps to access them:
- Go to aiimsexams.ac.in – the official AIIMS examinations portal.
- Click the "Academic Courses" tab in the top navigation bar.
- Select INI CET from the list of examinations.
- In the notifications section, click "Result / Cutoff – May 2026 (July Session)" to download the qualifying cutoff PDF. This was released on May 23, 2026.
- For Round 1 closing ranks, look for "Round 1 Allotment Result – INI CET July 2026" after it is published. This is expected after June 17, 2026.
- Open the allotment result PDF and compare the rank against the closing rank for the preferred institute, specialty, and category.
- If the rank is equal to or better than the closing rank shown, the candidate is eligible for that seat in the next available round.
The closing rank PDFs list the last rank allotted for every institute-specialty-category combination in that round. Always check both the UR column and the specific category column. The category-wise closing rank may be much more relaxed than the UR closing rank for the same seat.
INI CET Cutoff 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
Ques. What is the INI CET 2026 qualifying cutoff for the General category?
Ans. The qualifying cutoff for UR and EWS candidates in the May 2026 session is 50.17 percentile. AIIMS, New Delhi released this on May 23, 2026 with the result. Candidates must score at or above this percentile to be eligible for July 2026 intake counselling.
Ques. When will the Round 1 closing ranks for INI CET July 2026 be released?
Ans. Round 1 choice filling runs from June 16 to 17, 2026. AIIMS processes the allotment after that. The Round 1 seat allotment result is expected around June 20 to 22, 2026. Closing ranks for each institute and specialty will be part of that notification at aiimsexams.ac.in.
Qualifying Cutoff vs Admission Cutoff
The qualifying cutoff and the admission cutoff are not the same. The qualifying cutoff (50.17 percentile for UR) is the minimum score required to enter counselling.
The admission cutoff is the closing rank for each institute-specialty-category combination. Scoring around 98 to 100 marks clears the qualifying threshold for UR candidates. Getting MD General Medicine at AIIMS Delhi requires a score of roughly 148 marks or above.
Rank Required for AIIMS Delhi MD General Medicine
In the July 2025 session, MD General Medicine at AIIMS Delhi (UR) closed at rank 5 in the final round. This rank has stayed between 4 and 7 across all May sessions from 2022 to 2025.
A score of approximately 148 to 155 marks out of 200 is needed to reach a rank in this range.
Reserved Category Cutoffs at AIIMS
The qualifying cutoff for OBC, SC, ST, and PwBD candidates is 45.29 percentile (May 2026). Admission closing ranks for reserved categories are more relaxed than UR.
At AIIMS Delhi, the OBC closing rank is typically 3 to 10 times higher than the UR closing rank.
Number of Candidates Qualifying for Counselling
The May (July intake) session qualifies more candidates than the November (January intake) session. In May 2026, 51,184 candidates qualified.
In November 2025, 32,374 candidates qualified. The May session sees a larger pool. Fresh MBBS graduates typically attempt the exam for the first time in May.
PG Seats Available Through INI CET
Approximately 2,000+ postgraduate seats are available across all INI CET participating institutes. AIIMS New Delhi alone offers around 192 PG seats across MD, MS, DM, MCh, and MDS programs.
PGIMER Chandigarh has about 134 seats and JIPMER Puducherry has about 123 seats. The seat matrix for each session is published on aiimsexams.ac.in before counselling begins.
Upgrading from Round 1 to Round 2
Yes, candidates can participate in Round 2 choice filling if they want a better option after Round 1. Securing a better seat in Round 2 automatically cancels the Round 1 allotment.
If a better option is not secured, the Round 1 seat is retained. This process is called upgrading and is fully permitted under INI CET counselling rules.
Cutoff Differences Between May and November Sessions
The qualifying percentile threshold stays constant (50th for UR, 45th for reserved). However, the actual score needed to hit that percentile changes with exam difficulty.
Admission closing ranks also differ between sessions. The May session attracts a larger candidate pool, pushing closing ranks tighter at top institutes compared to the November session.
Not Meeting the Qualifying Cutoff
Candidates who do not meet the INI CET qualifying cutoff cannot participate in counselling for that session. They can appear again in the next session.
The November session is for the January intake. The May session is for the July intake in the following year. There is no attempt limit for INI CET as long as the basic MBBS eligibility criteria are met.
INI CET Percentile Calculation
AIIMS calculates the percentile using a simple formula. The number of candidates who scored below you is divided by the total number of candidates who appeared, then multiplied by 100.
A percentile of 50.17 means you scored better than 50.17 per cent of all candidates in that session. Ties are broken using subject-wise marks as per AIIMS's official tie-breaking criteria.
INI CET Institutes with Most Relaxed Closing Ranks
Newer AIIMS campuses have the most relaxed closing ranks. These include AIIMS Patna, Bhubaneswar, Gorakhpur, Raipur, and Kalyani, especially for Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry.
Closing ranks range from 3,000 to 15,000 for UR at these campuses. ST candidates can find options up to rank 18,000. This gives lower-ranked candidates a path to PG admission through INI CET.
INI CET Qualifying Cutoff vs Admission Cutoff
Clearing the INI CET qualifying cutoff does not guarantee a seat at AIIMS Delhi. The qualifying percentile only makes a candidate eligible for counselling.
Admission to AIIMS Delhi for MD General Medicine or Radiodiagnosis requires a rank within the top 10. A score of roughly 145 marks or above out of 200 is needed to realistically target those seats.
Closing Ranks at AIIMS Delhi
MD General Medicine and MD Radiodiagnosis typically close within ranks 5 to 6 at AIIMS Delhi for the UR category. DM Neurology and DM Cardiology also close within the top 20.
To target these seats, a score of roughly 148 marks or above out of 200 is required.
Trend of INI CET Cutoff Over Years
The qualifying percentile threshold has stayed constant at 50th for UR and 45th for reserved categories. However, admission closing ranks at mid-tier institutes have tightened steadily.
PGIMER's MD General Medicine closing rank moved from 280 in 2022 to 350 in 2025. That is a shift of 70 ranks over three sessions. AIIMS Delhi has barely moved because its top specialties already close within rank 4 to 6.
INI CET 2026 Qualifying Cutoff for General Category
The qualifying cutoff for UR and EWS candidates in the May 2026 session is 50.17 percentile. AIIMS, New Delhi released this on May 23, 2026 with the result.
Candidates must score at or above this percentile to be eligible for July 2026 intake counselling.
Round 1 Closing Ranks Release Date
Round 1 choice filling runs from June 16 to 17, 2026. AIIMS processes the allotment after that.
The Round 1 seat allotment result is expected around June 20 to 22, 2026. Closing ranks for each institute and specialty will be part of that notification at aiimsexams.ac.in.
Difference Between Qualifying Cutoff and Admission Cutoff
The qualifying cutoff is the minimum score to enter counselling. The admission cutoff is the closing rank in each institute-specialty-category combination.
Scoring around 98 to 100 marks clears the qualifying threshold for UR candidates. Getting MD General Medicine at AIIMS Delhi needs a score of roughly 148 marks or above.
Rank Needed for AIIMS Delhi MD General Medicine
In the July 2025 session, MD General Medicine at AIIMS Delhi (UR) closed at rank 5 in the final round. This has stayed between rank 4 and 7 across all May sessions from 2022 to 2025.
A score of approximately 148 to 155 marks out of 200 is needed to reach a rank in this range.
Reserved Category Cutoff at AIIMS
The qualifying cutoff for OBC, SC, ST, and PwBD candidates is 45.29 percentile (May 2026). The admission closing ranks for reserved categories are more relaxed than UR.
At AIIMS Delhi, the OBC closing rank is typically 3 to 10 times higher than the UR closing rank.
Number of Candidates Qualifying for Counselling
The May (July intake) session qualifies more candidates than the November (January intake) session. In May 2026, 51,184 candidates qualified.
In November 2025, 32,374 qualified. The May session sees a larger pool. Fresh MBBS graduates typically attempt the exam for the first time in May.
PG Seats Available Through INI CET
Approximately 2,000+ postgraduate seats are available across all INI CET participating institutes. AIIMS New Delhi alone offers around 192 PG seats across MD, MS, DM, MCh, and MDS programs.
PGIMER Chandigarh has about 134 seats and JIPMER Puducherry has about 123 seats. The seat matrix for each session is published on aiimsexams.ac.in before counselling begins.
Upgrading from Round 1 to Round 2
Candidates can participate in Round 2 choice filling if they want a better option after Round 1. Securing a better seat in Round 2 automatically cancels the Round 1 allotment.
If a better option is not secured, the Round 1 seat is retained. This upgrading process is fully permitted under INI CET counselling rules.
Cutoff Difference Between May and November Sessions
The qualifying percentile threshold stays constant at 50th for UR and 45th for reserved categories. But the actual score needed to hit that percentile changes with exam difficulty.
Admission closing ranks also differ between sessions. The May session attracts a larger candidate pool, pushing closing ranks tighter at top institutes compared to the November session.
What Happens if a Candidate Does Not Meet the Qualifying Cutoff
A candidate who does not meet the qualifying cutoff cannot participate in counselling for that session. They can appear again in the next session.
The November session is for the January intake. The May session is for the July intake in the following year. There is no attempt limit for INI CET as long as the basic MBBS eligibility criteria are met.
INI CET Percentile Calculation
AIIMS calculates the INI CET percentile using a simple formula. The percentile is calculated by dividing the number of candidates who scored below a candidate by the total number of candidates who appeared for the exam. The result is then multiplied by 100.
A percentile of 50.17 means the candidate scored better than 50.17 per cent of all candidates in that session. When two or more candidates have the same score, ties are broken using subject-wise marks as per AIIMS's official tie-breaking criteria.
INI CET Institutes with Relaxed Closing Ranks
Newer AIIMS campuses have the most relaxed closing ranks for INI CET. These campuses include AIIMS Patna, Bhubaneswar, Gorakhpur, Raipur, and Kalyani.
The relaxed closing ranks are especially seen for subjects like Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry. Closing ranks for the UR category at these campuses range from 3,000 to 15,000.
ST category candidates can find options up to rank 18,000 at these campuses. This provides lower-ranked candidates a real path to PG admission through INI CET.
Results expand_more
INI CET 2024 July Session Result
The INI CET 2024 July Session Result was released on May 25, 2024. Candidates can check their results on the official website aiimsexams.ac.in.
The AIIMS INI CET 2024 July session results have been published in the form of a merit list. The result PDF contains important information such as roll number, category, category rank, All India Rank, and percentile scores.
Candidates meeting the minimum cut-off criteria will be eligible for admission to postgraduate medical courses. The INI CET 2024 Result PDF link has been provided below.
- INI CET 2024 July Session Result Link – Soon
Candidates who appeared for INI CET 2024 July session can check their percentile score using their candidate login ID and password. INI CET 2024 qualifying cut off is 50 percentile for GN/EWS category and 45 percentile for the reserved categories.
INI CET 2024 qualified candidates will be eligible for seat allocation through INI CET 2024 counselling. INI CET results for the current session will be valid only for the ongoing admission session.
To prepare the INI CET 2024 merit list, tie-breaking criteria are applied. The candidate with less negative marks is ranked higher, followed by the candidate who is older in age.
INI CET 2024 July Result Date
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| INI CET Exam Date | May 19, 2024 |
| INI CET Result Date | May 25, 2024 |
| Beginning of INI CET Counselling | To be Announced |
INI CET July 2024 Exam
INI CET July 2024 exam was successfully conducted on May 19, 2024. The exam was conducted for admission to MD, MS, DM, M.Ch, and MDS courses.
INI CET 2024 is a postgraduate national-level examination conducted by AIIMS Delhi. The INI CET 2024 July session exam was moderately difficult. According to some students, the INI CET question paper was quite easy as there were many repeated questions.
Surgery and allied subjects paper was reported to be moderate. The highest number of questions came from topics like Ortho, Psychiatry, Pharma, Ophthalmology, Biochemistry, and Medicine, among others.
Total number of questions in the INI CET July 2024 question paper was 200 questions in each paper (Clinical, Para-Clinical, Pre-Clinical and Surgery and Allied subjects). The exam is conducted in online mode for 3 hours.
Each question carries 1 mark and -1/3 marks are deducted for each wrong response.
How to Download INI CET 2024 Result?
Eligible candidates can check and download INI CET 2024 Results from the official website of AIIMS. All the steps to check and download the result are mentioned below.
How to Check INI CET 2024 Result
INI CET 2024 results are available on the official AIIMS website. Candidates can follow the steps below to view and download their result.
- Visit the official website of AIIMS at https://www.aiimsexams.org/
- Go to the “Results” tab on the homepage and click on it
- On https://www.aiimsexams.org/info/Result_new.html, click on the section “Academic Courses”
- Select the link “Percentile secured by the candidate of INI CET Courses [MD/MS/M Ch (6 years)/DM (6 years)/MDS] January 2024 Session”
- Check the result PDF for total marks, roll number, and category. The waiting list is also available on the same PDF
- Login to the site at https://finalmdmsmch.aiimsexams.org/Login using Registration ID, RUC or Registration Unique Code, Password, and Captcha code
- Click on the “Login” button
- The INI CET 2024 result for a single candidate will appear on the screen
- View all details, download the result as a PDF, and take a printout
Details Mentioned on INI CET 2024 Score Card
Candidates must verify all details on the INI CET 2024 result carefully to avoid issues during counselling. In case of any discrepancy, contact the authorised body.
- Name of the candidate
- Registration number of INI CET 2024
- Roll Number of the candidate
- All India Rank
- Total number of scores in percentage
- Sectional score
- Status of the result
- Category of the candidate
- Rank with category
INI CET 2024 Answer Key
AIIMS does not release the official INI CET answer key on its website. Coaching institutes release unofficial answer keys, and memory-based answer keys are available for reference.
For the January session exam, memory-based INI CET 2024 answer key PDFs are provided below.
| INI CET Question Paper | INI CET 2024 Answer Key |
|---|---|
| INI CET 2024 Question Paper | Download PDF |
| INI CET 2020 Question Paper (Surgery) | Download PDF |
| INI CET 2020 Question Paper (Biochemistry) | Download PDF |
| INI CET 2020 Question Paper (Paediatrics) | Download PDF |
Some memory-based questions from the exam are listed here.
- Hawkins classification is used for what?
- What is not helpful in the DNA double strand break repair?
- HBsAg screening
- Blue colour vacutainer for plasma glucose estimation consists of which anticoagulant?
- What type of cancer is not a c/i for liver transplantation?
- What is the most prognostic factor of breast cancer?
- What is not used for identification of a dead body except- Muscles, Blood, Nail, Hair.
- What kind of wound is not expected if a person is brought to the emergency after a road accident with stable vitals?
- A woman with hearing loss in the right ear was given a right stapedotomy. What is Rinne and Weber’s finding?
- What helps in increasing in size of electrophoresis in Nephrotic syndrome?
Calculation Percentile Score for INI CET 2024 Result
The percentile score does not represent the total marks secured by the candidate. The question paper has 100 marks in total, and the percentile score is calculated using the formula below.
Formula= 100*total number of candidates along with the marks or score in total ≤ the candidate/total number of candidates who appeared in the entrance test
Tie-Breaking Criteria for INI CET 2024 Result
INI CET 2024 Tie-Breaking Criteria
Candidates must know the tie-breaking criteria after checking and downloading the INI CET 2024 Result. This rule applies when two or more candidates secure the same score in INI CET 2024.
A merit list is prepared and published based on the total score or marks. The tie-breaking process selects candidates in the following order:
- Candidates with lesser negative marks in the examination will be ranked better in the INI CET 2024 Merit List.
- If the tie still exists, the age of the candidate is considered. Older candidates will get a better rank in the Merit List.
INI CET Merit List
Based on the score obtained in the INI CET 2024 Result, a common INI CET 2024 Merit List is published for DM/MCH/MD Hospital Administration Courses for the January 2024 session.
If two or more candidates obtain the same score, they go through the tie-breaking process. The tie is broken based on fewer negative marks and age.
After the tie-breaking process, candidates must participate in the counselling process. The INI CET 2024 (January Session) Merit List can be downloaded from the official source.
INI CET Topper Interview
Dr Nikhil Vasudeva, the INI CET topper of 2020, shared his preparation strategy. Here are his key takeaways:
- He studied for 6 hours on weekdays and 8 to 12 hours on weekends.
- He wants to do a fellowship in US or UK or superspecialization in India for the next 5 days.
- Taking mock tests and practice papers helped him a lot.
- He took breaks by talking to family, listening to music, and visiting friends.
INI CET 2024 Result FAQs
Can I check INI CET 2024 Result through offline mode?
No, the result cannot be checked through offline mode. The result is available only through online mode on the official website of AIIMS. Candidates can check and download the result from the official website.
What is the validation of the result for INI CET 2024?
AIIMS releases the result two times, one for the January session and another for the July session. The scorecard or result is valid for admission of that academic year only, starting from 2024.
Do I need to pay any fine if I download the result of INI CET 2024 more than one time?
No, there is no fine for downloading the result a second time from the official website of AIIMS. Candidates just need to log in to the website to download the result, and it can be downloaded more than once.
Can I see the result for all the courses in one format and a single sheet for INI CET 2024?
Yes, the total score of the candidate with roll number and category for all PG courses is available in a single sheet in PDF format on the official website of AIIMS.
Is it possible to request for revaluation of INI CET 2024 Result?
No, as per the rules and regulations set by the authority, revaluation of the result cannot be requested after checking it.