INI CET 2026: Exam Dates, Eligibility, Syllabus, Pattern, Cutoff and Counselling

INI CET 2026 (Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test) is a national-level postgraduate medical entrance exam conducted by AIIMS New Delhi for admission to MD, MS, MDS, DM, and MCh programs at 23 Institutes of National Importance across India. The July 2026 session exam was held on May 16, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, and the result was declared on May 23, 2026. Counselling is currently underway — Round 1 seat allotment has been completed and Round 2 is in progress, with the allotment expected in the third week of July 2026.

• Round 2 Seat Allotment: INI CET July 2026 Round 2 seat allotment is expected in the third week of July 2026. PwBD disability verification is scheduled for July 11, 2026 before allotment. In the January 2026 session, the General category Round 1 closing rank was 7,621 — July 2026 Round 2 cutoffs will be released after allotment.
• INI CET November 2026 Exam: The next INI CET exam, for the January 2027 intake, is expected in November 2026. For reference, the January 2026 session exam was held on November 9, 2025 in online CBT mode across exam cities in India.
• INI CET January 2027 Registration: Registration for the upcoming January 2027 session is expected to begin around August–September 2026 on aiimsexams.ac.in. For the January 2026 session, registration had opened in September 2025.
• Qualifying Cutoff: The minimum qualifying percentile for INI CET is the 50th percentile for the General category and the 45th percentile for reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD). Qualifying only makes you eligible for counselling — a competitive rank is needed to secure a seat at AIIMS New Delhi or PGIMER Chandigarh.

What is INI CET?

INI CET stands for Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test. AIIMS New Delhi conducts this exam on behalf of all 23 participating Institutes of National Importance (INIs) in India. It is the single gateway for admission to postgraduate medical and dental programs — MD, MS, MDS, DM (6-year integrated), and MCh (6-year integrated) — at the country’s most prestigious government medical institutions.

Before INI CET was introduced, each institute — AIIMS, PGIMER, JIPMER, NIMHANS, and SCTIMST — held its own separate entrance exam. The combined test replaced these individual exams and created a unified merit-based system for PG admissions at all INIs. This made the process simpler for students and fairer in terms of competition.

The exam runs twice a year. The May exam gives admission to the July session, and the November exam gives admission to the January session. This bi-annual format means candidates get two attempts per year. Both sessions are completely independent — seats in one session do not carry over to the other.

The July 2026 session has 1,581 PG seats across the 23 participating INIs. AIIMS New Delhi offers the highest number of seats at 192, followed by PGIMER Chandigarh at 134 seats. Seats are distributed across categories — UR, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, and PwBD — as per government reservation norms.

INI CET is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) of 200 questions to be answered in 3 hours. It covers all subjects from the MBBS and BDS curriculum — Pre-Clinical, Para-Clinical, and Clinical. There is negative marking of -1/3 per wrong answer. The exam is conducted only in English.

INI CET 2026 Important Dates

The table below covers all key events for INI CET 2026. Upcoming events are listed first in chronological order, followed by completed events. For the July 2026 session, the exam and result are done. Counselling is ongoing with Round 2 in progress as of July 3, 2026.

Source: aiimsexams.ac.in

INI CET Eligibility Criteria 2026

You must meet all eligibility conditions before you apply for INI CET 2026. AIIMS checks your documents at the time of counselling reporting, not just at the application stage. Meeting the eligibility rules is your responsibility.

Educational Qualification

• For MD/MS/DM (6-year)/MCh (6-year): You must have an MBBS degree from a college recognized by the National Medical Commission (NMC) or the erstwhile Medical Council of India (MCI).
• For MDS: You must have a BDS degree from a college recognized by NMC or MCI.

Minimum Marks in Degree

Internship Requirement

You must have completed a one-year mandatory rotating internship before joining the PG program. AIIMS fixes a deadline by which the internship must be completed for each session. Check the official notification on aiimsexams.ac.in for the internship deadline for your target session.

If your internship is not complete at the time of application but will be done before the joining date, you can still apply — but you must submit your internship completion certificate at the time of reporting to the allotted institute.

Nationality

• Indian Nationals are eligible to apply.
• Foreign Nationals, Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) can also apply.
• Foreign Nationals need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

Age Limit

There is no upper age limit for INI CET 2026. Any MBBS or BDS graduate who meets the degree, marks, and internship requirements can apply regardless of age.

INI CET Application Process 2026

The INI CET registration is fully online. You must apply only on the official AIIMS portal at aiimsexams.ac.in. No printed or offline forms are accepted. The July 2026 session registration is now closed. The next registration cycle for the November 2026 exam (January 2027 session) is expected to open around August–September 2026.

Step-by-Step Registration Process

• Step 1 – Basic Registration: Enter your name, mobile number, and email ID. You will get a login ID and password via email and SMS.
• Step 2 – Generate Exam Unique Code (EUC): Log in and generate your Exam Unique Code. This code links your profile to the specific exam cycle. Without an EUC, you cannot proceed to final registration.
• Step 3 – Fill the Application Form: Fill in your personal details, MBBS/BDS marks, internship information, preferred exam city, and program preference (MD/MS/MDS/DM/MCh).
• Step 4 – Upload Documents: Upload a recent passport-size photograph and your signature in the prescribed format. Document size, dimension, and file format are specified in the official notification — check them carefully.
• Step 5 – Pay Application Fee: Pay online using a debit card, credit card, or net banking. Fee payment is the final step that completes your registration.

INI CET Application Fee 2026

The INI CET application fee is non-refundable. You will not get a refund even if you withdraw your application or do not appear for the exam after payment.

Application Correction Window

AIIMS opens a correction window after registration closes. During this period, you can fix mistakes in your form — such as personal details, photograph, or signature. Changes to exam city or category are typically not allowed after the initial submission. The next correction window is expected in October 2026 for the upcoming November session.

INI CET Syllabus 2026

AIIMS does not publish a fixed, topic-wise syllabus for INI CET. The exam covers the complete MBBS and BDS undergraduate curriculum — everything taught across all phases of your degree is fair game. Based on past papers, Clinical subjects carry the highest share of questions and should be your primary focus.

Pre-Clinical Subjects

• Anatomy: General Anatomy, Gross Anatomy (Upper Limb, Lower Limb, Thorax, Abdomen, Head and Neck), Neuroanatomy, Histology, and Embryology
• Physiology: General Physiology, Nerve and Muscle, Blood, Cardiovascular System, Respiratory System, Gastrointestinal Physiology, Renal System, Endocrine System, Reproductive System, and Neurophysiology
• Biochemistry: Carbohydrate Metabolism, Protein Metabolism, Lipid Metabolism, Vitamins and Minerals, Enzymology, and Molecular Biology

Para-Clinical Subjects

• Pathology: General Pathology, Systemic Pathology, Hematology, and Tumor Pathology
• Microbiology: Bacteriology, Virology, Parasitology, Immunology, and Mycology
• Pharmacology: General Pharmacology, Autonomic Nervous System, CNS Drugs, Cardiovascular Drugs, Chemotherapy, Endocrine Pharmacology, and Autacoids
• Forensic Medicine: Medicolegal Aspects, Clinical Forensic Medicine, and Toxicology

Clinical Subjects

• General Medicine: Cardiology, Respiratory Medicine, Nephrology, Neurology, Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases, Endocrinology, Hematology
• General Surgery: Surgical Anatomy, Fluid and Electrolytes, Hernias, Trauma, Breast, Thyroid, Gastrointestinal Surgery, Urology
• Obstetrics and Gynecology: Normal and Abnormal Labor, Antenatal Care, Obstetric Emergencies, Contraception, Infertility, and Gynecological Tumors
• Pediatrics: Growth and Development, Vaccination Schedule, Neonatal Conditions, Nutritional Disorders, and Childhood Infections
• Community Medicine: Epidemiology, Screening Tests, National Health Programs, Biostatistics, and Environmental Health
• Allied Clinical Subjects: Ophthalmology, ENT, Dermatology and Venereology, Psychiatry, Orthopedics, Radiology, and Anesthesiology

For MDS Aspirants

Candidates appearing for MDS programs must prepare from the complete BDS curriculum. This includes Oral Medicine and Radiology, Oral Surgery, Orthodontics, Prosthodontics, Periodontology, Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Pedodontics, Community Dentistry, and Oral Pathology and Microbiology.

Clinical subjects carry 60–70% of the INI CET paper. If you are an MBBS graduate, spend most of your study time on Medicine, Surgery, OBG, Pediatrics, and Community Medicine. These five subjects together largely decide your rank.

INI CET Admit Card 2026

AIIMS releases the INI CET admit card online on aiimsexams.ac.in a few days before the exam. For the July 2026 session, the admit card was released on May 9, 2026 — seven days before the May 16 exam. No admit card is sent by post. You must download and print it yourself before the exam date.

You must carry the printed admit card to the exam centre. Entry is denied if you do not have it. You also need to bring one original valid photo ID — Aadhaar card, passport, PAN card, or Voter ID. A photocopy of the ID is not accepted at the gate.

How to Download INI CET Admit Card

• Visit aiimsexams.ac.in
• Click on the "Exam" section and select INI CET for the relevant session
• Log in with your registration ID and password
• Download your admit card and save it as a PDF
• Print on A4 paper and keep it safe until reporting day

The admit card shows your roll number, exam centre address, reporting time, exam date, and photograph. Check all details when you download it. Report discrepancies to AIIMS at the earliest — corrections after the exam are not possible.

For the next session (November 2026 exam for January 2027 intake), the admit card is expected about a week before the exam. Keep checking the official website from late October 2026 onwards.

Do not carry mobile phones, smartwatches, Bluetooth devices, or any electronic gadgets to the exam centre. Carrying prohibited items can result in disqualification and expulsion from the exam hall.

Institutes Accepting INI CET Score

INI CET 2026 is the common entrance exam for 23 Institutes of National Importance. All 23 INIs participate in the combined counselling process run by AIIMS New Delhi. You do not apply separately to individual institutes — your rank and the choices you fill during counselling determine which institute you are allotted.

Top Institutes by PG Seat Availability (July 2026 Session)

The July 2026 session has a total of 1,581 PG seats across all 23 INIs. The complete seat matrix — with institute-wise, course-wise, and category-wise breakdown — is published on aiimsexams.ac.in. Always check the official seat matrix before filling your choices in counselling.

Source: aiimsexams.ac.in

Why AIIMS New Delhi and PGIMER Chandigarh Are Most Competitive

AIIMS New Delhi and PGIMER Chandigarh attract the most competition in INI CET counselling. AIIMS New Delhi is consistently ranked India’s top medical institution and offers 192 PG seats — including highly coveted superspecialty programs in Cardiology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Surgical Oncology. PGIMER Chandigarh is known for its strong superspecialty programs and research environment. Closing ranks for both these institutes are far tighter than for the newer AIIMS campuses, especially for the most popular MD and surgical specialties.

INI CET Preparation Tips 2026

INI CET is one of the most competitive PG medical entrance exams in India. The competition is intense because every serious MBBS graduate targets a seat at AIIMS or PGIMER. Consistent, structured preparation over several months is the only reliable path to a top rank.

Prioritize Clinical Subjects Above All Else

Clinical subjects carry 60–70% of the paper. Spend most of your study time on Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, and Community Medicine. These five subjects decide your rank more than any other factor.

• Medicine: Focus on Cardiology (ECG interpretation, heart failure, hypertension), Nephrology (renal failure, dialysis, glomerulonephritis), Respiratory (asthma, COPD, tuberculosis), Neurology (stroke, epilepsy, dementia), and Infectious Diseases (HIV, malaria, dengue, enteric fever).
• Surgery: Fluid and electrolyte management, hernias, thyroid and breast surgery, GI surgery, trauma, surgical oncology, and applied surgical anatomy are high-yield areas.
• OBG: Normal and abnormal labor, antenatal complications, obstetric emergencies (eclampsia, APH, PPH), contraception methods, and infertility work-up are tested regularly.
• Pediatrics: The National Immunization Schedule, growth milestones, neonatal emergencies, nutritional disorders (PEM, rickets, scurvy), and common childhood infections appear in almost every paper.
• Community Medicine: Epidemiology calculations, national health programs, screening test parameters (sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV), surveillance systems, and environmental health are consistent scoring areas.

Solve Previous Year INI CET Papers

INI CET questions follow a style that is more analytical and scenario-based than many other PG medical exams. Questions test your ability to apply knowledge to clinical situations, not just recall facts. Solve at least 5 years of previous INI CET and AIIMS PG papers to understand this pattern. The question difficulty and focus areas are more consistent with AIIMS-style papers than with NEET PG papers.

Take Full-Length Mock Tests with Sectional Time Limits

Practice under real exam conditions — 200 questions in 3 hours, with 45-minute sectional cutoffs. Take at least one full-length mock test per week in the 3–4 months before the exam. After each test, spend equal time reviewing wrong answers. Identifying weak topics early and addressing them is what improves rank between attempts.

Manage Negative Marking Smartly

The -1/3 negative marking in INI CET is more impactful than it sounds. If you attempt 30 wrong questions, you lose 10 marks — a difference that can change your rank by hundreds of positions. Attempt a question only when you can eliminate at least two options or are reasonably confident. For questions where you have no idea, leave them unattempted.

Cover Para-Clinical Subjects Thoroughly

Pathology, Microbiology, and Pharmacology carry 20–25% of the paper — around 40–50 questions. You cannot afford to leave these weak. Pathology (General Pathology and Systemic Pathology) and Pharmacology (drug mechanisms, important adverse effects, drug interactions) tend to have the most questions from this group. Microbiology questions often focus on clinically important organisms and their virulence factors.

Treat Pre-Clinical Subjects as Strategic, Not Primary

Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry together make up only 10–15% of the paper. Do not neglect them, but do not let them eat into your Clinical preparation time either. Focus on high-yield areas — Applied and Clinical Anatomy, Cardiovascular and Renal Physiology, and key metabolic pathways in Biochemistry. Cover these well and move on.