INI-CET 2026 — Frequently Asked Questions

INI-CET (Institute of National Importance Common Entrance Test) is a national-level entrance examination conducted by AIIMS Delhi for admission to various postgraduate medical programs across AIIMS and other government medical institutes. It is essential for doctors who want to pursue specialization in fields like MD, MS, DM, and MCh programs at premier medical institutions in India.

To be eligible for INI-CET 2026, you must be an Indian citizen or OCI/PIO card holder, possess an MBBS degree recognized by the Medical Council of India (now National Medical Commission), and have completed internship before the examination. Additionally, you should have obtained your MBBS degree from a recognized medical college in India.

INI-CET 2026 is typically conducted in the months of June-July, though exact dates are usually announced 3-4 months in advance on the official AIIMS website. Candidates should regularly check the AIIMS Delhi official portal for the most updated notification and important dates in early 2026.

The application fee for INI-CET 2026 is approximately Rs. 3500 for general and OBC category candidates and Rs. 1800 for SC/ST and PwD category candidates. The fee is non-refundable and can be paid online through various payment gateways during the application window.

INI-CET 2026 will consist of 200 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) in Single Best Answer format, to be completed in 3.5 hours. Each correct answer carries 4 marks, with a deduction of 1 mark for each incorrect answer, and no marks for unanswered questions, making the total marks 800.

INI-CET syllabus covers Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Psychiatry, Orthopedics, Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology, Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Radiology, Anesthesia, and other clinical subjects based on MBBS curriculum standards. The emphasis is on clinical knowledge and competency-based questions relevant to postgraduate practice.

Most successful candidates prepare for 3-4 months with consistent study schedules, though this varies based on individual background and target specialties. A minimum of 4-5 hours daily study is recommended, combining theory revision, reference book reading, and regular mock tests to build speed and accuracy.

Key resources include standard MBBS textbooks like Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, Robbins Pathology, and subject-specific books like Maheshwari for Obstetrics and Bailey and Love for Surgery. Additionally, solving previous year question papers, taking online mock tests, and following current medical journals helps candidates stay updated with recent developments in medicine.

Cutoff scores vary annually based on number of candidates and difficulty level, but generally range from 400-500 marks out of 800 for general category for admission to AIIMS programs. OBC candidates typically get a 5-10% relaxation, while SC/ST candidates get 15-20% relaxation in cutoff scores.

There is no official restriction on the number of attempts for INI-CET, unlike NEET-SS which has limited attempts. Candidates can appear multiple times until they secure their desired specialty and ranking, though it's advisable to maximize preparation with each attempt.

INI-CET provides access to both 3-year MD/MS programs (broad specialties) and 3-year DM/MCh programs (super-specialties) across various fields including Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Orthopedics, Ophthalmology, and many others. The exact number of seats varies annually across different AIIMS and participating institutes.

INI-CET is a combined entrance test for MD, MS, DM, and MCh programs across AIIMS and other institutes, while NEET-SS is specifically for DM and MCh super-specialty programs across all medical colleges. INI-CET has a single exam pattern, whereas NEET-SS has separate papers for different streams, and NEET-SS has limited attempts (3 attempts).

Currently, there are seven AIIMS institutes across India (Delhi, Bhopal, Jodhpur, Patna, Rishikesh, Raipur, and Nagpur) that participate in INI-CET for admission to postgraduate programs. Additionally, several other government medical institutes also accept INI-CET scores for their postgraduate admissions.

After completing MD, MS, DM, or MCh programs from AIIMS or similar institutes via INI-CET, you have excellent career prospects as a specialist with higher income potential, teaching opportunities in medical colleges, and option to establish private practice. Government jobs, research positions, and international opportunities are also available for AIIMS graduates with recognized qualifications.

During the 3.5-hour exam, allocate approximately 1 minute per question, spending the first 2.5 hours on confident answers and the remaining time reviewing difficult questions. Read each question carefully before marking answers, avoid negative marking by not answering uncertain questions, and maintain a steady pace without spending excessive time on any single question.