INI CET 2026 counselling is conducted by AIIMS New Delhi for admission to MBBS, BDS, and BSc Nursing programs at Institutes of National Importance. The detailed counselling schedule for July 2026 session is expected to be released in early June 2026.

  • Counselling process is conducted online through the official portal - inicounselling.aiimsexams.edu.in
  • Seat allotment follows multiple rounds with choice filling and locking options
  • Registration for counselling is mandatory - your exam rank alone does not guarantee a seat
  • Documents verification and fee payment are required before seat allocation
  • Covers admission to AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, NIMHANS and other national institutes

What is INI CET Counselling 2026?

INI CET 2026 counselling is the seat allocation process conducted by All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi for admission to undergraduate medical programs at Institutes of National Importance. The counselling process determines which students get seats in MBBS, BDS, and BSc Nursing programs based on their INI CET 2026 ranks and choice preferences.

AIIMS conducts the counselling process online through the dedicated portal - inicounselling.aiimsexams.edu.in. Students who qualify in INI CET 2026 must register separately for counselling to be considered for seat allocation. The process includes multiple rounds with options to upgrade, freeze, or withdraw based on allotted seats.

The counselling covers admission to various institutes including AIIMS (multiple campuses), JIPMER Puducherry and Karaikal, PGIMER Chandigarh, NIMHANS Bangalore, and other participating Institutes of National Importance across India.

INI CET Counselling 2026 Schedule Round 1

Event Expected Date Status
Counselling Schedule Release Early June 2026 (Soon)
Round 1 Registration Begins Mid June 2026 (Expected)
Choice Filling Window Opens Mid June 2026 (Expected)
Choice Filling Last Date Late June 2026 (Expected)
Round 1 Seat Allotment Result Early July 2026 (Expected)
Reporting to Allotted Institute Mid July 2026 (Expected)

Note: The exact dates will be announced by AIIMS once the detailed counselling schedule is released. Students should regularly check the official website for updates.

INI CET Counselling Eligibility Criteria 2026

To participate in INI CET 2026 counselling, students must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Qualified in INI CET 2026 - Must have appeared and secured a valid rank in the entrance examination
  • Age Criteria
    • General/EWS candidates: Minimum 17 years as on 31st December 2026
    • SC/ST/OBC candidates: Minimum 17 years with upper age limit relaxation as per government norms
  • Educational Qualification
    • Passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology and English
    • Minimum 50% marks in PCB for General/EWS categories
    • Minimum 40% marks in PCB for SC/ST/OBC categories
  • Medical Fitness - Must meet the physical and medical standards prescribed by respective institutes
  • Nationality - Indian nationals and NRI/OCI/PIO candidates (as per institute-specific quotas)

Students who do not meet any of the above criteria will not be eligible for seat allocation even if they participate in counselling.

Reservation of Quotas for INI CET Counselling 2026

INI CET 2026 counselling follows the Government of India reservation policy for admission to Institutes of National Importance. The reservation categories and their percentages are as follows:

Category Reservation Percentage Details
General 40% Unreserved category candidates
Economically Weaker Section (EWS) 10% General category with income limit criteria
Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL) 27% Non-creamy layer OBC candidates
Scheduled Caste (SC) 15% SC category candidates
Scheduled Tribe (ST) 7.5% ST category candidates
Persons with Disability (PWD) 5% Horizontal reservation across all categories

Additionally, some institutes may have specific quotas for home state candidates, NRI students, or other special categories as per their admission policies. Category certificate must be valid and issued by competent authority for availing reservation benefits.

How to Apply for INI CET Counselling 2026?

INI CET 2026 counselling registration is conducted entirely online through the official AIIMS counselling portal. Students must complete the following steps in sequence to participate in the counselling process:

The counselling registration is separate from the INI CET exam application and must be completed by all eligible candidates. Follow the step-by-step process below to ensure successful registration:

Step 1: Registration

Visit the official INI CET counselling portal at inicounselling.aiimsexams.edu.in and complete your registration using your INI CET 2026 roll number and other required details. Create a password and verify your mobile number and email address for future communications.

Step 2: Fee Payment

Pay the counselling registration fee online through the available payment modes (Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI). The fee amount varies by category and is non-refundable. After successful payment, download and save the payment receipt for future reference.

Step 3: Document Verification

Upload scanned copies of all required documents in the prescribed format and size. Ensure all documents are clearly visible and within the specified file size limits. The document verification process is conducted online, and incomplete or unclear documents may lead to rejection.

Step 4: Choice Filling

Fill your choice of institutes and programs in order of preference. You can select multiple combinations of institute-course-category based on your eligibility. Fill at least 15-20 choices to maximize your chances of getting a seat across all rounds.

Step 5: Seat Allotment

After the choice filling window closes, AIIMS will conduct the seat allotment process based on merit, preferences, and availability of seats. Results are published on the counselling portal, and allocated candidates must complete the admission process within the specified timeline.

How to Lock Choices (Step-by-Step Guide)

Choice locking is the final step in the choice filling process where you confirm your preference order. Once choices are locked, you cannot modify or change them for that round. Follow these steps to lock your choices:

Step 1: Visit the Official Portal

  • Go to inicounselling.aiimsexams.edu.in
  • Click on the "Choice Filling" section from the main menu

Step 2: Log In to Your Account

  • Enter your INI CET 2026 Roll Number and Password
  • Enter the security captcha code and click Login

Step 3: Review Your Choices

  • Click on "View/Modify Choices" to see your current selection
  • Review the order of preferences carefully
  • Make any final changes if needed before locking

Step 4: Lock Your Choices

  • After finalizing your preference list, click on "Lock Choices"
  • A confirmation pop-up will appear asking for final confirmation
  • Click "Yes" to confirm and lock your choices permanently

Step 5: Download Confirmation

  • Download the choice locking confirmation document
  • Save multiple copies for your records

Once confirmed, your choices are locked and cannot be changed until the next counselling round opens.

Action Before Locking After Locking
Add New Choices Allowed Not Allowed
Modify Preference Order Allowed Not Allowed
Delete Choices Allowed Not Allowed
View Choice List Allowed Allowed

INI CET Counselling Documents Required 2026

Students must upload scanned copies of the following documents during the online counselling registration. All documents must be clear, in specified format (PDF/JPEG), and within the size limit:

  • INI CET 2026 Admit Card - Original admit card downloaded from the official portal
  • INI CET 2026 Score Card - Result/rank card showing your performance
  • Class 10 Mark Sheet and Certificate - For age and name verification
  • Class 12 Mark Sheet and Certificate - For educational qualification verification
  • Category Certificate (if applicable)
    • SC/ST/OBC-NCL certificate issued by competent authority
    • EWS certificate for Economically Weaker Section candidates
    • PWD certificate for Persons with Disability
  • Medical Fitness Certificate - From registered medical practitioner
  • Passport Size Photographs - Recent colored photographs with white background
  • Identity Proof - Aadhar Card, Passport, or Driving License
  • Domicile Certificate - For state quota eligibility (if applicable)
  • Character Certificate - From head of last attended institution
  • Gap Certificate - If there is a gap after Class 12 completion

Note: All certificates must be original and issued by competent authorities. Self-attested photocopies will not be accepted during document verification.

Keep physical copies of all documents ready as original documents may need to be verified at the time of admission to the allotted institute.

How Much Money is Needed for INI CET Counselling 2026?

INI CET 2026 counselling involves two types of fees: non-refundable counselling registration fees and refundable seat acceptance fees. Understanding the fee structure helps you plan your finances better:

Non-Refundable Fees

These fees are paid during counselling registration and are not refunded under any circumstances:

Fee Type Amount (INR)
General/EWS/OBC SC/ST/PWD
Counselling Registration Fee ₹5,000 ₹2,500
Choice Filling Fee ₹2,000 ₹1,000
Total Non-Refundable ₹7,000 ₹3,500

Refundable Fees

These fees are paid after seat allotment and are refundable under specific conditions:

Fee Type Amount (INR)
MBBS BDS/BSc Nursing
Seat Acceptance Fee ₹50,000 ₹25,000
Security Deposit ₹25,000 ₹15,000
Total Refundable ₹75,000 ₹40,000

Note: Refundable fees are returned only if you withdraw before the specified deadline. Late withdrawals may result in partial or complete forfeiture of refundable amount.

If you withdraw after accepting a seat, the seat acceptance fee is not fully refunded - deduction charges apply as per AIIMS refund policy.

Round-Wise Seat Allotment Process

INI CET 2026 counselling follows a multiple-round allotment system where seats are allocated based on merit and choice preferences. Each round offers opportunities for upgradation and fresh allotments:

Round Type Expected Timeline Key Features
Round 1 Fresh Allotment Early July 2026 First seat allocation based on merit and choices
Round 2 Upgrade + Fresh Mid July 2026 Upgrades for Round 1 allottees + fresh allotments
Round 3 Upgrade + Fresh Late July 2026 Final regular round with upgrade opportunities
Spot Round Fresh Only Early August 2026 Vacant seats filled through fresh allotment

Each round requires separate choice filling and locking - you cannot carry forward previous round choices automatically. Students must actively participate in each round to be considered for allotment or upgradation.

Upgrade vs Freeze vs Withdraw - Decision Guide

After each round of seat allotment, students who receive seat allocation must choose one of three options. Your choice determines your eligibility for subsequent rounds and affects your current seat status:

Option Meaning Next Round Status Risk/Benefit
Upgrade Accept current seat but try for better option in next round Eligible for better seats only Safe option - keeps current seat while seeking upgrade
Freeze Accept current seat and exit counselling Not eligible for further rounds Secure option - confirms admission but no future upgrades
Withdraw Reject current seat and continue counselling Eligible for any available seat Risky option - may lose current seat and get nothing better

Decision Guidelines:

  • Choose UPGRADE if you are satisfied with your current allotment but prefer a higher-ranked choice
  • Choose FREEZE if you are completely satisfied with your allotted seat and institute
  • Choose WITHDRAW only if you are willing to risk your current seat for potentially better options

Note: If you choose Upgrade but don’t get a better seat in subsequent rounds, you retain your current allotment. If you choose Withdraw and don’t get any seat in later rounds, you may lose the chance for admission.

Reporting to Allotted Institute

Students who receive final seat allotment must report to their allotted institute within the specified deadline to confirm their admission. Failure to report within the deadline will result in cancellation of the allotted seat.

Reporting Process:

  • Download Allotment Letter - Print the seat allotment letter from the counselling portal
  • Pay Admission Fees - Complete fee payment as per the institute’s schedule
  • Submit Original Documents - Carry all original certificates for verification
  • Complete Medical Examination - Undergo medical fitness test as required
  • Collect Admission Confirmation - Obtain admission receipt and student ID
Institute Type Reporting Timeline Late Reporting Policy
AIIMS Campuses Within 7 days of allotment Seat may be cancelled after deadline
JIPMER Within 5 days of allotment No extension beyond deadline
Other INIs As per institute notification Institute-specific policy applies

Contact your allotted institute immediately after seat allotment to confirm reporting requirements and avoid any last-minute complications.

FAQs

Ques: Is INI CET counselling registration mandatory after qualifying the exam?

Ans: Yes, INI CET counselling registration is mandatory. Your exam rank alone does not guarantee admission - you must separately register for counselling and participate in the seat allocation process.

  • Counselling registration is conducted online through inicounselling.aiimsexams.edu.in
  • Registration fees vary by category and are non-refundable
  • Only registered students are eligible for seat allotment

Ques: Can I modify my choices after locking them for a round?

Ans: No, once you lock your choices for a particular round, you cannot modify them. Choice locking is final for that round.

  • Review your preferences carefully before locking
  • You can fill fresh choices for subsequent rounds
  • Each round requires separate choice filling and locking

Ques: What happens if I choose "Upgrade" but don’t get a better seat?

Ans: If you choose "Upgrade" but don’t receive a better seat in subsequent rounds, you retain your current allotment. This is the safest option among the three choices.

  • Upgrade option protects your current seat while seeking better options
  • You are considered only for seats higher in your preference list
  • Your current seat remains confirmed until you get an upgrade

Ques: Are the counselling fees refundable if I don’t get any seat?

Ans: Counselling registration and choice filling fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome. However, seat acceptance fees are refundable if you withdraw within the specified deadline.

  • Registration fee: Non-refundable in all cases
  • Seat acceptance fee: Refundable with terms and conditions
  • Late withdrawal may result in fee forfeiture

Ques: How many choices should I fill to maximize my chances?

Ans: It is recommended to fill at least 15-20 choices to maximize your chances of getting a seat. Include a mix of preferred institutes and programs across different categories.

  • Fill choices in order of your genuine preference
  • Include both high-preference and safe options
  • Consider all eligible institute-program combinations

Note: More choices give you better chances but ensure they reflect your actual preferences.

Ques: Can I participate in INI CET counselling if I missed the exam due to COVID-19?

Ans: Only students who appeared for INI CET 2026 and obtained a valid rank are eligible for counselling. Students who missed the exam cannot participate in the counselling process.

  • Valid INI CET 2026 rank is mandatory for counselling eligibility
  • No provision for special counselling for absent candidates
  • Medical emergencies during exam do not qualify for counselling

Ques: What is the difference between AIIMS counselling and INI CET counselling?

Ans: INI CET counselling is the current process for admission to all Institutes of National Importance including AIIMS campuses. The separate AIIMS entrance exam was discontinued from 2020.

  • INI CET covers AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, NIMHANS and other institutes
  • Single counselling process for all participating institutes
  • Conducted by AIIMS New Delhi on behalf of all institutes

Ques: Is there any reservation for home state candidates in INI CET counselling?

Ans: Home state reservation varies by institute. Some institutes like JIPMER have domicile quotas while central institutes like AIIMS follow national-level admission without state quotas.

  • Check individual institute policies for domicile reservation
  • Domicile certificate required for state quota eligibility
  • Central institutes primarily follow merit-based all-India quota

Ques: When will the INI CET 2026 counselling schedule be released?

Ans: AIIMS is expected to release the detailed INI CET 2026 counselling schedule in early June 2026. Students should regularly check the official website for updates.

  • Official website: aiimsexams.ac.in and inicounselling.aiimsexams.edu.in
  • Schedule will include all round dates and deadlines
  • SMS and email notifications will be sent to registered candidates

Note: Keep checking the official portals regularly as counselling dates are usually announced with short notice.

Ques: Can NRI students participate in INI CET counselling?

Ans: Yes, NRI students can participate in INI CET counselling under the NRI quota where available. Each institute has specific NRI seat allocation and fee structure.

  • NRI quota varies by institute and program
  • Higher fee structure applies for NRI candidates
  • Valid NRI documents required during counselling

The information provided is based on previous year patterns and official announcements. Students are advised to refer to the official AIIMS website and counselling portal for the most current and detailed information regarding INI CET 2026 counselling process.