INI CET July 2026 General category qualifying cutoff is expected to be around 100–108 marks out of 200, based on the 50th percentile criterion applied in previous sessions.
The Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test (INI CET) July 2026, conducted by AIIMS New Delhi, opens seats in MD, MS, and MDS programs across institutes including AIIMS campuses, JIPMER, PGIMER, NIMHANS, and SCTIMST. The official portal for results, merit lists, and cutoffs is aiimsexams.ac.in. For General category students, the qualifying cutoff is only the entry threshold — closing marks at top institutes are significantly higher and vary by branch.
- INI CET July 2026 exam is scheduled for June 27, 2026, as per the AIIMS exam calendar.
- The paper carries 200 total marks across 200 MCQ questions, with a –1/3 negative marking for wrong answers.
- General category qualifying cutoff is fixed at the 50th percentile; based on past data, this translates to approximately 100–108 marks.
- For AIIMS New Delhi seats in clinical branches, the expected General category closing marks are 140–155 out of 200.
- Newer AIIMS campuses (Patna, Raipur, Bhubaneswar) are expected to close at 110–128 marks for General category.
| Direct Link – INI CET July 2026 Official Portal (Official Website) — aiimsexams.ac.in |
INI CET July 2026 Expected General Category Cutoff
Based on score distribution patterns from the INI CET July 2024 and January 2025 sessions, the expected qualifying cutoff for General category in July 2026 is 100–108 marks out of 200. This is the minimum score a General category student needs to appear in the merit list and become eligible for counselling. Students scoring above 120 marks have a reasonable chance at newer AIIMS campuses or SCTIMST, while a score of 140 marks or above is typically needed to secure seats at AIIMS New Delhi in competitive branches like General Medicine or General Surgery.
| Score Range (out of 200) | Expected General Category Outlook (July 2026) |
|---|---|
| Below 100 | Unlikely to qualify; below expected 50th percentile threshold |
| 100–115 | Qualifying range; limited seat options at lower-ranked INIs |
| 115–130 | Good chances at newer AIIMS campuses and SCTIMST |
| 130–145 | Strong contender for JIPMER, PGIMER, and mid-tier AIIMS |
| 145 and above | Competitive for AIIMS New Delhi in most branches |
Previous Year INI CET General Category Cutoff Comparison
INI CET General category qualifying cutoffs have shown a gradual upward movement over recent sessions, driven by a growing applicant base and improving preparation levels. The table below compares the approximate qualifying cutoff marks for General category across the last five sessions, all based on the 50th percentile rule applied by AIIMS.
| INI CET Session | Approx. General Category Qualifying Cutoff (out of 200) | Percentile Criterion |
|---|---|---|
| July 2025 | ~104–108 | 50th Percentile |
| January 2025 | ~102–106 | 50th Percentile |
| July 2024 | ~100–104 | 50th Percentile |
| January 2024 | ~98–103 | 50th Percentile |
| July 2023 | ~96–101 | 50th Percentile |
The consistent rise of approximately 2–4 marks per session points to rising competition in each cycle. For INI CET July 2026, the qualifying cutoff is expected to follow the same trajectory, placing it at approximately 100–108 marks for General category based on 2023–2025 trends.
Expected Institute-Wise Closing Marks for General Category
The qualifying cutoff determines your merit list eligibility, but the closing marks — the score of the last seat allotted in each institute — are what truly matter for seat selection. These vary significantly by institute reputation, branch demand, and available seats. The figures below are expected ranges based on July 2024 and January 2025 closing data for General category students.
| Institute | Expected Closing Marks – General (out of 200) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AIIMS New Delhi | 140–155 | Most competitive; varies sharply by branch |
| PGIMER Chandigarh | 130–148 | High demand for clinical branches |
| JIPMER Puducherry | 128–145 | Competitive for General Medicine and Surgery |
| NIMHANS Bengaluru | 125–140 | Psychiatry and Neurology specialty seats |
| SCTIMST Thiruvananthapuram | 120–140 | Cardiology and Neurology seats |
| AIIMS Bhopal / Jodhpur / Rishikesh | 118–138 | Branch-dependent; clinical branches higher |
| AIIMS Patna / Raipur / Bhubaneswar | 110–128 | Lower competition; more seats available |
Paraclinical and basic science branches (Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry) across all institutes typically see lower closing marks compared to clinical branches. Students with scores between 110 and 125 should prioritise these branches at newer AIIMS campuses during counselling.
Factors Affecting INI CET July 2026 Cutoff
Several session-specific variables determine where the final General category cutoff lands. These factors interact, so no single trend fully predicts the outcome.
- Total applicants: A larger pool increases competition, which pushes the 50th percentile mark upward in absolute terms even if the percentile rule stays fixed.
- Paper difficulty: A tougher paper compresses scores toward the lower end, which can lower the absolute cutoff mark even as the percentile stays the same. An easier paper has the opposite effect.
- Seat intake at INIs: New seats added at recently established AIIMS campuses ease pressure at less competitive institutes and may slightly lower their closing marks.
- Branch-specific demand: General Medicine, General Surgery, and Obstetrics and Gynaecology consistently attract higher competition and close at the top of each institute’s range.
- Score bunching near the median: When many students score within a narrow band around the 50th percentile, even a small change in total score distribution can shift the qualifying cutoff by 3–5 marks between sessions.
INI CET July 2026 General Category Cutoff FAQs
Ques. What is the expected qualifying cutoff for General category in INI CET July 2026?
Ans. Based on previous session trends, the expected qualifying cutoff for General category in INI CET July 2026 is approximately 100–108 marks out of 200, corresponding to the 50th percentile of all students appearing in the session.
Ques. What is the total marks in INI CET?
Ans. INI CET has a total of 200 marks. The exam consists of 200 MCQ questions with 1 mark for each correct answer and a negative marking of –1/3 for each incorrect answer.
Ques. How is the INI CET General category qualifying cutoff calculated?
Ans. AIIMS sets the qualifying cutoff at the 50th percentile for General and EWS category students. This means you must score above the median mark of all students who appeared in that session to qualify for the merit list and counselling.
Ques. What score is needed for AIIMS New Delhi in INI CET July 2026?
Ans. For clinical branches at AIIMS New Delhi, the expected General category closing marks are 140–155 out of 200, based on July 2024 and January 2025 data. This is significantly higher than the qualifying cutoff and varies by branch.
Ques. Is the INI CET cutoff the same for all participating institutes?
Ans. No. There is one common qualifying cutoff to enter the merit list, but each institute has its own closing marks based on seat availability and applicant demand. AIIMS New Delhi closes at the highest marks while newer AIIMS campuses and paraclinical branches close at lower marks.
Ques. When will INI CET July 2026 official cutoff be released?
Ans. The official INI CET July 2026 cutoff and merit list will be published on aiimsexams.ac.in after result declaration, typically 2–4 weeks after the exam date.
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