A safe score of 130 to 145 marks out of 200 is generally considered adequate for OBC students targeting AIIMS PG admission through INI CET July 2026, based on previous year trends.
INI CET July 2026 is conducted by AIIMS New Delhi for admission to MD, MS, MCh, DM, MDS, and MHA programmes at all Institutes of National Importance. The result is expected around June 30, 2026. For OBC students, the safe score threshold is lower than the General/UR category, but competition within the OBC pool remains high — especially for seats at AIIMS New Delhi and AIIMS Jodhpur. Understanding your score band before the official merit list helps you plan counselling strategy and programme preferences effectively.
- INI CET total marks: 200 (200 MCQs × 1 mark each; –1/3 for incorrect answers)
- OBC reservation: 27% of sanctioned seats across all INIs
- OBC qualifying percentile (minimum): 45th percentile
- Expected OBC safe score range (July 2026): 130–145 marks out of 200
- AIIMS New Delhi OBC MD/MS safe score: approximately 145 marks or above
- OBC certificate mandatory: valid Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) certificate from a competent authority
| Direct Link to INI CET July 2026 Result – aiimsexams.ac.in |
INI CET 2026 Marking Scheme and Total Marks
INI CET July 2026 is a 200-mark computer-based test. The marking scheme directly affects how you calculate your expected score before the official result is declared on June 30, 2026.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 200 MCQs |
| Total Marks | 200 |
| Correct Answer | +1 mark |
| Wrong Answer | –1/3 mark (negative marking) |
| Unattempted Question | 0 marks |
| Duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Mode | Computer-based test (CBT) |
| Subjects | Medicine, Surgery, OBG, Paediatrics, PSM |
The merit list is percentile-based. AIIMS normalises raw scores and generates percentile ranks. For OBC students, the minimum qualifying percentile is 45. Securing a seat at a good INI requires a significantly higher percentile — typically in the 65th to 80th percentile range depending on the institute and programme.
INI CET July 2026 Safe Score for OBC Category
Based on 2024–2025 trends, a score of 130 to 145 marks out of 200 is the expected safe range for OBC students in INI CET July 2026. Students targeting AIIMS New Delhi should aim for 145 marks or above. Those aiming for newer AIIMS campuses or JIPMER and NIMHANS can typically secure OBC seats with 120–135 marks.
OBC students compete on a separate merit list under the 27% horizontal reservation. A valid Non-Creamy Layer certificate is mandatory. Without it, you are placed in the General/UR pool, where cutoffs are substantially higher. The table below gives an expected score-band guide for OBC students in the July 2026 session.
| Score Band (Out of 200) | Expected OBC Rank Range | Admission Prospects under OBC Quota |
|---|---|---|
| 155 and above | Top 50–100 | Excellent – AIIMS Delhi, top MD/MS and super-speciality programmes |
| 145–154 | 100–220 | Good – AIIMS Delhi MD/MS; AIIMS Jodhpur super-speciality |
| 135–144 | 220–430 | Safe – AIIMS Jodhpur, AIIMS Bhopal, JIPMER, NIMHANS |
| 125–134 | 430–700 | Moderate – newer AIIMS campuses (Rishikesh, Patna, Bhubaneswar) |
| 115–124 | 700–1000 | Borderline – limited options at newer or smaller INI campuses |
| Below 115 | Below 1000 | Low – seat allocation uncertain; may not clear seat-securing cutoff |
All score bands and rank ranges are expected values based on 2024–2025 session trends. Actual figures will be declared by AIIMS after the INI CET July 2026 result.
INI CET Previous Year OBC Cutoff Trends
Past sessions give you the most reliable benchmark for planning. OBC qualifying and seat-securing cutoffs have shown a gradual upward trend as the number of aspirants grows each year.
| Session | Approx. OBC Cutoff Score | OBC Qualifying Percentile | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| INI CET July 2025 | ~130–136 marks | ~65th–70th percentile | Moderate difficulty; slight uptick in cutoff |
| INI CET January 2025 | ~125–132 marks | ~62nd–68th percentile | Average difficulty paper |
| INI CET July 2024 | ~122–130 marks | ~60th–66th percentile | Slightly easier, lower absolute cutoff |
| INI CET January 2024 | ~118–126 marks | ~57th–63rd percentile | Tougher paper; cutoff dipped slightly |
Figures are approximate and based on available 2024–2025 data. Official cutoff details are published on aiimsexams.ac.in after each session.
AIIMS-wise Expected OBC Cutoff for INI CET July 2026
Seat intake, programme demand, and institute prestige differ across INIs, which means OBC closing ranks and the corresponding score thresholds vary significantly from one campus to another. Use the table below as a planning reference while assessing your options after the result.
| Institute | Programme | Expected OBC Closing Rank | Approx. Score Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIIMS New Delhi | MD Medicine / MS Surgery | 100–200 | 148–158 marks |
| AIIMS New Delhi | MCh / DM (super-speciality) | 50–130 | 155–165 marks |
| AIIMS Jodhpur | MD/MS | 200–430 | 133–148 marks |
| AIIMS Bhopal | MD/MS | 310–560 | 127–142 marks |
| AIIMS Rishikesh | MD/MS | 360–620 | 123–137 marks |
| AIIMS Patna | MD/MS | 430–720 | 119–133 marks |
| AIIMS Bhubaneswar | MD/MS | 460–760 | 117–131 marks |
| NIMHANS Bengaluru | MD Psychiatry / Neurology | 100–270 | 135–150 marks |
| JIPMER Puducherry | MD/MS | 160–390 | 129–145 marks |
Expected cutoffs are based on 2024–2025 closing rank trends and are not official figures. Actual cutoffs will be published by AIIMS New Delhi after the INI CET July 2026 counselling rounds.
Factors Affecting INI CET OBC Cutoff
Several variables determine where the OBC cutoff lands each session. Being aware of these helps you read your score in context once results are out.
- Total OBC seats available: Each INI campus reserves 27% of sanctioned seats for OBC students. An increase in seats across newer AIIMS campuses can ease the overall OBC cutoff slightly.
- Number of OBC test-takers: A larger OBC applicant pool raises competition and pushes the seat-securing score upward.
- Paper difficulty: A harder paper shifts the raw score distribution lower across all students, which typically brings the absolute cutoff score down even if the qualifying percentile stays the same.
- Percentile normalisation: AIIMS uses percentile-based merit lists, so your position relative to peers matters more than the absolute marks you score.
- Programme-specific demand: High-demand programmes such as MD Internal Medicine and MS General Surgery carry higher cutoff ranks regardless of category.
- NCL certificate validity: Only OBC Non-Creamy Layer students qualify for the OBC reservation. Expired or non-compliant certificates result in reclassification to the General/UR pool.
INI CET July 2026 OBC Safe Score FAQs
Ques. What is the total marks for INI CET July 2026?
Ans. INI CET July 2026 has 200 questions, each carrying 1 mark, making the total 200 marks. There is a negative marking of –1/3 for each wrong answer. Unattempted questions carry no penalty.
Ques. What is the expected safe score for OBC students in INI CET July 2026?
Ans. Based on 2024–2025 session trends, a score of 130 to 145 marks out of 200 is considered a safe range for OBC students overall. For AIIMS New Delhi specifically, you should aim for 145 marks or above to secure an MD/MS seat under OBC quota.
Ques. Is the INI CET OBC cutoff lower than the General category cutoff?
Ans. Yes. OBC students have a dedicated 27% reservation and are ranked on a separate OBC merit list. The minimum qualifying percentile for OBC is 45, compared to a higher threshold for General/UR. However, competition within the OBC pool for top institutes like AIIMS Delhi is still significant.
Ques. Can I get AIIMS admission with 120 marks under OBC quota in INI CET July 2026?
Ans. Based on previous year trends, 120 marks is below the generally expected safe range of 130–145 marks and is borderline for newer AIIMS campuses. Admission to AIIMS New Delhi or AIIMS Jodhpur under OBC quota at this score is unlikely, but seats in less-competitive programmes at smaller INI campuses may still be possible.
Ques. Is a Non-Creamy Layer certificate mandatory for OBC reservation in INI CET?
Ans. Yes. To claim OBC reservation in INI CET, you must hold a valid OBC Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) certificate issued by a competent authority. OBC Creamy Layer students are treated as General/UR students and do not benefit from the OBC quota during counselling.
Ques. Where will the INI CET July 2026 OBC cutoff be officially published?
Ans. The official INI CET July 2026 merit list, category-wise cutoff ranks, and result will be published on the AIIMS Exams portal at aiimsexams.ac.in. Check the portal after the result is declared on June 30, 2026 for the final OBC cutoff data.
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