Anita Rai
If you’re an MBBS graduate aiming for a postgraduate seat at AIIMS, PGIMER, JIPMER, or NIMHANS, there’s one exam you simply cannot afford to miss — the INI CET 2026 (Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test). Conducted by AIIMS New Delhi, this is the single gateway to MD, MS, DM, MCh, and MDS programs at India’s most prestigious medical institutions.
Whether you’re a first-time aspirant or a repeat candidate, this guide covers everything: important dates, eligibility rules, exam pattern, syllabus, application steps, and field-tested preparation strategies. Read on and build your roadmap to success.
Table of contents
- What is INI CET?
- INICET 2026 Important Dates
- Eligibility Criteria
- Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
- Syllabus Breakdown
- How to Apply — Step-by-Step
- Participating Institutions & Seats
- Preparation Strategy
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Counselling Process
- Key Takeaways
- FAQs
What is INI CET?
INI CET is a national-level entrance test held twice a year — in January and July sessions. It was introduced to replace the individual PG entrance exams conducted separately by AIIMS, PGIMER, JIPMER, and NIMHANS, creating a single, unified selection process. A strong percentile score opens the door to admission at over 23 premier institutes across India.
Courses offered include MD, MS, MDS, DM (6-year), MCh (6-year), and MD in Hospital Administration. It’s widely considered one of the most challenging PG medical exams in the country due to its clinical application-based question style.
INICET 2026 Important Dates
Staying on top of deadlines is non-negotiable. Below is the complete date timeline for both the July 2026 session (recently conducted) and the upcoming November 2026 session.
July 2026 Session (Completed)
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Prospectus released | March 28, 2026 | Done |
| Registration opens | March 28, 2026 | Done |
| Last date to apply | April 25, 2026 | Done |
| Correction window | April 30 – May 2, 2026 | Done |
| Admit card release | May 9, 2026 | Done |
| Exam date (July session) | May 16, 2026 | Today |
| Result declaration | May 23, 2026 (expected) | Upcoming |
| Internship cutoff date | July 31, 2026 | Upcoming |
November 2026 Session (Expected)
| Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| Registration opens | September 2026 |
| Exam date | November 1, 2026 |
| Result | ~1 week post-exam |
| Counselling begins | November 2026 (post-result) |
Your compulsory rotatory internship must be completed on or before July 31, 2026 for the July session. Candidates completing internship after this date will be ineligible.
Eligibility Criteria
Before you fill out the form, verify that you meet every eligibility requirement. Missing even one condition can lead to rejection at any stage.
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Degree | MBBS / BDS from a recognised university |
| Internship | 12-month compulsory rotating internship by July 31, 2026 |
| Minimum marks (UR/OBC/EWS) | 55% aggregate in MBBS / BDS |
| Minimum marks (SC/ST/PwBD) | 50% aggregate in MBBS / BDS |
| Registration | Valid NMC / DCI / State Medical Council registration |
| Age limit | No upper or lower age limit |
| Nationality | Indian national, foreign citizen, or OCI / PIO card holder |
| Attempts | Unlimited (as long as eligibility is met each session) |
OBC and EWS candidates need the same 55% cutoff as General category. Only SC/ST and PwBD get the 5% relaxation down to 50%.
Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
Understanding the exam structure helps you manage time and avoid costly negative marks. INI CET 2026 is a computer-based test (CBT) conducted at designated centres across India.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam mode | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
| Total questions | 200 MCQs |
| Sections | 4 parts × 50 questions each |
| Time allotted | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Sectional time limit | 45 minutes per section |
| Marks per correct answer | +1 |
| Negative marking | −1/3 per wrong answer |
| Unattempted questions | 0 marks (no penalty) |
| Language | English only |
One crucial detail: each section has its own 45-minute timer. You cannot borrow time from one section to another. Plan your pacing from day one of practice.
INI CET 2026 Syllabus
AIIMS does not publish a word-by-word syllabus. Instead, the entire MBBS undergraduate curriculum forms the basis. The syllabus is broadly divided into three categories:
Pre-clinical subjects
- Anatomy — Gross anatomy, neuroanatomy, embryology & genetics, microanatomy
- Physiology — Cardiovascular, respiratory, motor system, special senses, sleep
- Biochemistry — Metabolic pathways, biomolecules, immunology, cancer biology
Para-clinical subjects
- Pathology — General & systemic, cell injury, neoplasia, inflammation
- Pharmacology — Antimicrobials, CVS drugs, CNS drugs, drug interactions
- Microbiology — Bacteriology, virology, mycology, parasitology
- Forensic Medicine — Medico-legal aspects, toxicology
- Community Medicine (PSM) — Epidemiology, public health, biostatistics
Clinical subjects
- Medicine & allied (Psychiatry, Dermatology, Radiology)
- Surgery & allied (Anaesthesia, Orthopaedics)
- Obstetrics & Gynaecology
- Paediatrics, Ophthalmology, ENT
Historically, Biochemistry, Surgery, Microbiology, Medicine, Pathology, and Pharmacology contribute the highest number of questions. Weight your revision hours accordingly.
How to Apply — Step-by-Step
INI CET uses the PAAR system (Prospective Applicants Advanced Registration). The application has two stages and you need to complete both.
Basic registration
Visit aiimsexams.ac.in. Enter your personal and contact details. You’ll receive a Registration ID, Password, and Exam Unique Code (EUC) on completion.
Generate Exam Unique Code (EUC)
EUC is mandatory for each session — a new EUC must be generated even if you registered previously. Log in and generate it from the portal.
Final registration / application form
Fill in academic, correspondence, and personal details. Upload scanned photo (20–50 KB, JPG) and signature (10–20 KB, JPG), category certificate if applicable, and Class 10/12 marksheets.
Fee payment
Pay the application fee online. Keep a screenshot as proof. Check the official prospectus for the fee amount by category.
Download admit card
Available on the official portal around a week before the exam. Print on A4 paper and carry it with a valid photo ID (matching the name format used at registration).
Participating Institutions & Seats
INI CET score is accepted by 23 Institutes of National Importance (INIs). Here are the key ones:
| Institution | Location |
|---|---|
| AIIMS New Delhi + 17 other AIIMS campuses | Pan-India |
| PGIMER | Chandigarh |
| JIPMER | Puducherry |
| NIMHANS | Bengaluru |
| SCTIMST | Trivandrum |
The July 2026 session offers approximately 1,631 seats across these institutions for MD, MS, MDS, DM, and MCh courses.
Preparation Strategy
INI CET questions test clinical reasoning, not just rote recall. Here’s a proven framework to prepare effectively.
3-month preparation plan
- Month 1: Complete the entire syllabus subject by subject. Don’t skip weaker subjects — they often surprise in exams.
- Month 2: Begin focused revision using handwritten notes, flowcharts, and mnemonics. Cover high-yield areas at least twice.
- Month 3: Shift to 70% revision + 30% new topics. Attempt 3 full-length mock tests per week and analyse every error.
- Final week: Only revision — no new topics. Practise time management by taking timed section-wise tests daily.
Best practice tips
- Attempt previous year INI CET papers — patterns repeat, especially in Biochemistry, Surgery, and Microbiology.
- Use an error log: after every mock, record every wrong answer and its correct explanation. Review it nightly.
- Prioritise image-based and clinical scenario questions — INI CET is known for these in clinical subjects.
- Stick to 2–3 standard reference books per subject. Avoid switching resources mid-preparation.
- Maintain 7–8 hours of sleep. Cognitive performance drops sharply with sleep deprivation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring sectional time limits: Each section has a hard 45-minute cap. Not practising with this constraint leads to poor time management on exam day.
- Skipping the EUC step: Many candidates forget to generate a fresh Exam Unique Code for each session. Without it, the application is invalid.
- Over-relying on a single resource: INI CET questions integrate across subjects. Use cross-referencing resources.
- Random guessing: With −1/3 negative marking, blind guessing is costly. Only attempt questions where you can eliminate at least one option.
- Skipping mock tests: Real exam conditions — timed, CBT format — can only be simulated through regular mock tests.
- Ignoring para-clinical subjects: PSM, Pharmacology, and Microbiology consistently contribute 20–25% of questions. Do not underestimate them.
Counselling Process
Candidates who meet the qualifying cutoff (50th percentile for General/OBC; 45th for SC/ST) become eligible for counselling.
- Register for counselling on the official portal after results are announced.
- Declare your institute and course preferences — there is no limit on the number of choices.
- Lock your choices before the deadline; they are auto-locked after the cutoff.
- Seat allotment is based on rank, category, and available seats at each institute.
- Two main rounds of counselling are held, followed by an open round for remaining vacancies.
The open round is for candidates who could not participate in Rounds 1 and 2 — not for those who didn’t get a seat in those rounds. Do not confuse the two.
Key Takeaways
- 1INI CET 2026 July session exam was held on May 16, 2026; results are expected by May 23, 2026.
- 2The November 2026 session exam is scheduled for November 1, 2026 with registration opening in September.
- 3Eligibility: MBBS/BDS with 55% (UR/OBC/EWS) or 50% (SC/ST/PwBD), internship complete by July 31, 2026, and NMC/DCI registration.
- 4The exam has 200 MCQs in 4 sections of 45 minutes each; marking is +1 for correct and −1/3 for incorrect.
- 5Application uses the PAAR system — basic registration → generate EUC → final form submission.
- 61,631+ PG seats across 23 INIs including AIIMS, PGIMER, JIPMER, NIMHANS, and SCTIMST.
- 7Focus on high-yield subjects, attempt previous year papers, and maintain a consistent mock test schedule.
Conclusion
INI CET is not just an exam — it’s your entry ticket to some of the most respected postgraduate medical programmes in India. With the right preparation strategy, solid time management, and awareness of every deadline, cracking this exam is absolutely achievable. Start early, revise consistently, and practice under real exam conditions. The next session in November 2026 is your opportunity — begin building your schedule today.