AIIMS INI-CET 2026: Exam Date, Registration, Syllabus, Pattern, Eligibility

AIIMS INI-CET 2026 (Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test) is a prestigious, national-level postgraduate medical entrance exam conducted by AIIMS New Delhi for admission to MD, MS, MDS, DM (6 years), and MCh (6 years) courses across India’s top medical institutes.

The exam is exclusively for Institutes of National Importance (INIs) such as AIIMS (New Delhi all AIIMS campuses), PGIMER Chandigarh, JIPMER Puducherry, NIMHANS Bengaluru, and other top government medical institutes known for advanced super-specialty training, research infrastructure, and high-quality residency programs.

Every year, thousands of MBBS/BDS graduates aim for INI-CET due to its competitive nature, limited seats, and high academic reputation. The 2026 cycle is expected to follow the PAAR registration system, making it essential for students to understand the complete process, deadlines, eligibility norms, exam pattern, syllabus distribution, counselling rules, and cut-offs to secure a seat.

What is INI-CET?

INI-CET is a combined PG medical entrance exam that replaces separate exams conducted earlier by AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, and NIMHANS. It provides a single platform for postgraduate admissions into the best medical institutes in India.

Courses Offered Through INI-CET

• MD (Doctor of Medicine)

• MS (Master of Surgery)

• DM (6-year Doctorate of Medicine)

• MCh (6-year Master of Chirurgiae)

• MDS (Master of Dental Surgery)

Participating Institutes

INI-CET scores are accepted by:

• AIIMS New Delhi

• AIIMS Bhopal

• AIIMS Bhubaneswar

• AIIMS Jodhpur

• AIIMS Raipur

• AIIMS Rishikesh

• AIIMS Patna

• AIIMS Kalyani, Bibinagar, Mangalgiri

• JIPMER Puducherry

• PGIMER Chandigarh

• NIMHANS Bengaluru

These institutes collectively offer the most competitive PG medical seats in the country.

INI-CET 2026 Highlights

INI-CET 2026 Important Dates (Expected)

Official dates will be updated after AIIMS releases notification.

INI-CET 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for INI-CET is strict because it caters to top-level PG medical training.

Academic Qualifications

• Must hold an MBBS or BDS degree from a university recognized by NMC/ DCI.

• Must have completed one-year rotatory internship on or before July 31, 2026.

Minimum Marks Required

Additional Criteria

• Must have permanent/provisional registration with MCI/State Medical Council.

• OCI/Foreign Nationals must submit NOC and eligibility certifications as per AIIMS rules.

INI-CET 2026 Registration Process (PAAR System Detailed)

The PAAR system includes:

1. Basic Registration

• Enter personal details

• Upload photograph, signature, and thumb impression

• AIIMS checks and approves the data

2. Final Registration

• Login to the portal

• Enter academic details

• Choose exam city

• Pay the application fee

• Submit the form

3. Admit Card Release

• Download the admit card

• Verify details and exam center

This two-step process ensures error-free registration and reduces application rejections.

INI-CET 2026 Application Fee and Required Documents

Application Fee

Documents Needed

• Passport-size photo (AIIMS guidelines)

• Scanned signature

• MBBS/BDS degree certificate

• Internship completion certificate

• MBBS marksheets

• Provisional/ Permanent MMC/SMC registration

• Category certificate (if applicable)

INI-CET 2026 Exam Pattern 

This exam heavily tests clinical reasoning, image-based questions, and integrated medical concepts.

INI-CET 2026 Syllabus (Expanded)

Pre-Clinical Subjects

• Anatomy

• Physiology

• Biochemistry

Para-Clinical Subjects

• Pathology

• Pharmacology

• Microbiology

• Forensic Medicine

• Community Medicine (PSM)

Clinical Subjects

• General Medicine

• General Surgery

• OBG

• Pediatrics

• ENT

• Ophthalmology

• Dermatology

• Orthopedics

• Psychiatry

• Radiology

• Anesthesia

Major emphasis is placed on:

• Medicine

• Surgery

• PSM

• Pathology

• Obstetrics and Gynaecology

INI-CET 2026 Seat Matrix (Institute-Wise)

(Updated seat matrix will be added once official brochure releases.)

INI-CET 2026 Admit Card

The admit card is a crucial document containing:

• Name, roll number

• Exam city and center details

• Reporting time

• Exam instructions

Candidates must carry:

• Printed admit card

• Valid photo ID (Aadhaar/PAN/Passport)

INI-CET 2026 Result and Merit List

AIIMS releases the result in percentile format, not raw marks.

Tie-Breaking Criteria

• Higher MBBS/BDS marks

• Fewer incorrect answers

• Older age

Each category (General/OBC/SC/ST/EWS) gets a separate merit list.

INI-CET 2026 Counselling Process

AIIMS conducts counselling in multiple online rounds:

Process Steps

1. Online registration for counselling

2. Choice filling and locking

3. Seat allotment

4. Upload documents

5. Physical verification at allotted institute

6. Reporting and fee payment

Documents Required for Counselling

• MBBS/BDS degree

• Internship completion certificate

• Registration certificate

• Category certificate

• INI-CET scorecard

• Offer letter

• Birth certificate/ID proof

INI-CET 2026 Preparation Strategy

High-Yield Strategy

• Focus on clinical-based MCQs

• Revise frequently tested topics

• Use authentic MBBS books

• Attempt 30–40 mock tests

Subject Importance

• 40% questions: Medicine Surgery

• 20%: PSM Pathology

• 15%: OBG

• 10%: Pediatrics

• 15%: Misc clinical subjects

Best Books for INI-CET 2026 (Recommended)

Pre-Clinical

• BD Chaurasia (Anatomy)

• Sembulingam (Physiology)

• Satyanarayana (Biochemistry)

Para-Clinical

• Robbins (Pathology)

• Gobind Rai Garg (Pharmacology)

• Ananthnarayan (Microbiology)

Clinical

• Harrison’s Medicine

• Bailey and Love (Surgery)

• Sakshi Arora (OBG)

• OP Ghai (Pediatrics)

INI-CET Previous Year Question Analysis

• Examination trend shows rising number of image-based and clinical case questions.

• More integrated questions involving multiple specialties.

• 50–60% questions from final-year subjects.

INI-CET Previous Year Cut-Off Trends

Cut-offs vary based on seat availability, exam difficulty, and number of applicants.

INI-CET vs NEET PG

INI-CET 2026 Answer Key

• AIIMS does NOT release official answer keys.

• Coaching institutes release memory-based question papers and solutions.

• Candidates must check percentile-based score online.

INI-CET 2026 Exam Day Instructions

• Reach center 1 hour early

• Wear simple clothing (avoid heavy embroidery)

• No electronic gadgets allowed

• Follow AIIMS biometric verification