Exam Updates
INI-CET 2026: Exam Date, Pattern and Seat Matrix at AIIMS, JIPMER and NIMHANS
Everything about INI-CET 2026 -- the entrance exam for PG seats at Institutes of National Importance including AIIMS, JIPMER and NIMHANS.
MedNext Editorial Team | 2026-08-01 | 7 min read
INI-CET 2026: Exam Date, Pattern and Seat Matrix at AIIMS, JIPMER and NIMHANS
Everything about INI-CET 2026 -- the entrance exam for PG seats at Institutes of National Importance including AIIMS, JIPMER and NIMHANS.
INI-CET 2026: Gateway to India's Premier Medical Institutes
INI-CET (Institutes of National Importance Combined Entrance Test) is the entrance examination for postgraduate medical courses at India's most prestigious medical institutions, including all AIIMS campuses, JIPMER Puducherry, PGIMER Chandigarh, NIMHANS Bangalore, SCTIMST Trivandrum, and other Institutes of National Importance.
The exam is conducted by AIIMS New Delhi, typically twice a year -- in May (for July session) and in November (for January session). Exact dates are announced through the AIIMS official website (aiimsexams.ac.in).
Exam Pattern
INI-CET consists of 200 MCQs to be completed in 3 hours. The questions are distributed across all MBBS subjects with varying weightage. Each correct answer typically earns 1 mark, and there is a negative marking of 1/3 mark for each incorrect answer.
The question style in INI-CET has historically been more conceptual and image-heavy compared to NEET PG. AIIMS-style questions often test application of knowledge through clinical scenarios, investigation interpretation, and image-based diagnosis. The difficulty level is generally considered higher than NEET PG.
Participating Institutes and Seat Matrix
The INI-CET seat matrix includes all AIIMS campuses (New Delhi being the flagship with the most seats), JIPMER Puducherry and Karaikal, PGIMER Chandigarh, NIMHANS Bangalore, and SCTIMST Trivandrum. New AIIMS campuses established under PMSSY (Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana) have progressively added seats.
Total MD/MS seats across INIs are approximately 2,500-3,000 per session. The seat matrix varies between sessions and is released along with the official notification. DM and MCh (super-specialty) seats are also filled through INI-CET.
Counselling Process
INI-CET counselling is conducted centrally through the AIIMS online portal. Candidates fill in their institute and branch preferences, and seats are allotted based on rank, preference and category. Multiple rounds of counselling are conducted, including mop-up rounds for unfilled seats.
A key feature of INI-CET counselling is that once a candidate accepts a seat, they may still participate in subsequent rounds for upgradation. However, candidates who do not join the allotted institute within the specified time forfeit their seat and may be debarred from subsequent rounds.
Preparation Strategy
Since the INI-CET question bank tends to be more conceptual, preparation should emphasise deep understanding of mechanisms (pharmacology, physiology, pathology) over surface-level recall. Image-based questions (radiology, pathology slides, clinical photographs) are a staple, so systematic review of imaging and histopathology is important.
Many candidates prepare for NEET PG and INI-CET simultaneously, as the syllabus is identical. The key difference is in question style -- INI-CET rewards conceptual clarity and clinical reasoning more than NEET PG. Dedicated INI-CET mock tests help calibrate your approach to the different question style.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is INI-CET?
INI-CET (Institutes of National Importance Combined Entrance Test) is the entrance examination for postgraduate medical courses (MD/MS/DM/MCh/MDS) at premier national institutes including all AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, NIMHANS, SCTIMST and other INIs. It is conducted by AIIMS New Delhi.
How is INI-CET different from NEET PG?
NEET PG (conducted by NBEMS) is for admission to PG seats at all medical colleges across India except INIs. INI-CET (conducted by AIIMS) is exclusively for PG admission at Institutes of National Importance. The two exams have different patterns, question styles and counselling processes.
How many seats are available through INI-CET?
The seat matrix varies each session but typically includes approximately 2,500-3,000 MD/MS seats across all INIs combined. AIIMS New Delhi, AIIMS Bhopal, AIIMS Jodhpur, AIIMS Rishikesh, JIPMER Puducherry and PGIMER Chandigarh are among the largest contributors.
Can I appear for both NEET PG and INI-CET?
Yes. There is no restriction on appearing for both exams. Most serious PG aspirants appear for both NEET PG and INI-CET to maximise their admission options. The preparation overlaps significantly since both test the MBBS curriculum.
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INI-CET Preparation Guide
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