INI CET January 2027 Session examination is officially scheduled to be conducted on November 1, 2026 (Sunday) by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, across designated computer-based testing centres nationwide. The single national entrance examination governs postgraduate medical admissions into MD, MS, DM (6 Years), M.Ch (6 Years), and MDS courses across 22 premier Institutes of National Importance (INIs), including AIIMS New Delhi, all 18 new AIIMS campuses, PGIMER Chandigarh, JIPMER Puducherry, NIMHANS Bengaluru, and SCTIMST Thiruvananthapuram. As per the official notification published on aiimsexams.ac.in, the INI CET January 2027 Session admit card will be released on October 26, 2026 (Monday). Candidates can check their final application and registration acceptance status between October 17 and October 19, 2026, before downloading their hall ticket.
Key Highlights for INI CET January 2027:
- Conducting Authority: Examination Section, AIIMS New Delhi
- Official Admission Portal: aiimsexams.ac.in
- Application Scrutiny and Status Check: October 17 – October 19, 2026
- Admit Card Release Date: October 26, 2026 (Monday)
- Computer-Based Exam Date: November 1, 2026 (09:00 AM to 12:00 PM)
- Expected Result Date: November 7, 2026 (Tentative)
- Total PG Seat Intake: Over 1,400+ PG specialty seats across INI institutes
Postgraduate medical aspirants can evaluate their institute admission chances and rank requirements using the All India College Predictor Hub, or receive personalised clinical choice-filling guidance by deciding to Book a Free Admission Counselling Session.
Overview of INI CET Postgraduate Examination
The Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test serves as the common entrance doorway for doctors aiming to pursue specialist postgraduate training at India’s highest-ranked medical research institutes. The examination is conducted twice each year for January and July admission cycles. The table below summarizes the key operational features of the INI CET January 2027 Session:
| Examination Parameter | Official Details and Standards |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test (INI-CET) |
| Academic Session | January 2027 Session |
| Conducting Institute | All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi |
| Courses Offered | MD, MS, DM (6 Years), M.Ch (6 Years), and MDS |
| Mode of Examination | Computer-Based Test (CBT) Online |
| Exam Duration | 3 Hours (180 Minutes) – 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM |
| Medium of Paper | English only |
| Total Questions | 200 Questions for MD/MS; 90 Questions for MDS |
| Official Web Portal | aiimsexams.ac.in |
Official INI CET Important Dates and Timeline
AIIMS New Delhi has notified the full schedule for the medical entrance examination. Candidates must follow the official timeline to avoid missing important deadlines:
| Event / Activity | Official Timeline | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| Online Registration and Generation of EUC Code | September 25 – October 13, 2026 | Completed |
| Final Application Scrutiny and Status Check | October 17 – October 19, 2026 | Upcoming |
| Issuance of Admit Card / Hall Ticket | October 26, 2026 (Monday) | Confirmed |
| INI CET Exam Date (Computer-Based Test) | November 1, 2026 (Sunday) (09:00 AM to 12:00 PM) |
Confirmed |
| Declaration of Merit List and Result | November 7, 2026 (Tentative) | Expected |
| Online Seat Allocation Rounds (Mock / Round 1 / Round 2) | December 2026 – January 2027 | To be announced officially |
Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme for INI CET
The INI CET January 2027 Session follows a computer-based examination pattern designed to test clinical reasoning, diagnostic skills, and medical knowledge across pre-clinical, para-clinical, and clinical subjects. The exam features different question formats rather than simple recall questions:
| Question Pattern Feature | MD / MS / 6-Year DM / M.Ch Courses | MDS Program |
|---|---|---|
| Total Number of Questions | 200 Objective Multiple Choice Questions | 90 Objective Multiple Choice Questions |
| Total Marks | 200 Marks | 90 Marks |
| Marks for Correct Answer | +1.0 Mark | +1.0 Mark |
| Negative Marking (Incorrect Answer) | -1/3 Mark (-0.33 Marks) | -1/3 Mark (-0.33 Marks) |
| Unattempted Questions | 0 Marks (No penalty) | 0 Marks (No penalty) |
| Question Formats | Single Best Response, Multiple Correct Options, Assertion-Reasoning, Extended Matching, and Clinical Vignettes with Image/Video clips | Single Best Response and Clinical Scenario MCQs |
Negative Marking and Question Format Dynamics
Unlike standard examinations, this national test evaluates how accurately you handle multiple question styles:
- Single Correct Type: One out of four options is correct. Selecting the right option awards +1 mark; selecting an incorrect option deducts 1/3 mark.
- Multiple Correct Type: More than one option can be correct. Marking requires careful evaluation of all options.
- Assertion-Reason Type: Tests conceptual reasoning between two medical statements. Both statements may be true, but one may not be the correct explanation of the other.
- Image and Clinical Case Vignettes: Questions include radiological scans (CT/MRI/X-ray), histological slides, clinical pathology reports, and surgical instruments.
AIIMS and Participating INI PG Seat Intake Breakdown
The entrance examination offers admission across 22 premier central institutes. The table below outlines the participating Institutes of National Importance and their estimated postgraduate seat distribution for the INI CET January 2027 Session:
| Institute Name and Location | Institute Category | Programs Offered | Approx. PG Seats (January Session) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIIMS New Delhi | Apex Central Institute | MD, MS, DM (6yr), M.Ch (6yr), MDS | 220+ Seats |
| PGIMER Chandigarh | National Institute of Importance | MD, MS, MDS | 160+ Seats |
| JIPMER Puducherry | Institute of National Importance | MD, MS, MDS | 130+ Seats |
| NIMHANS Bengaluru | Apex Neuro-Psychiatric Institute | MD (Psychiatry), DM/M.Ch (6yr) | 30+ Seats (Specialized) |
| SCTIMST Thiruvananthapuram | Apex Cardiac and Neuro Institute | MD (Transfusion Med), DM/M.Ch (6yr) | 15+ Seats |
| AIIMS Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Jodhpur, Patna, Raipur, Rishikesh | First-Phase AIIMS Institutes | MD, MS, MDS | 550+ Seats (Combined) |
| AIIMS Nagpur, Bathinda, Bibinagar, Deoghar, Kalyani, Mangalagiri, Raebareli, Gorakhpur, Bilaspur, Guwahati, Rajkot, Jammu | Newer AIIMS Institutes | MD, MS | 350+ Seats (Combined) |
Qualifying Percentile and Minimum Cutoff Criteria
To qualify for seat allotment in the INI CET January 2027 Session, candidates must secure the minimum qualifying percentile determined by AIIMS New Delhi:
| Candidate Category | Minimum Qualifying Percentile | Applicable Seats / Quotas |
|---|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) / General | 50th Percentile | Open Merit Seats across all INIs |
| Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) | 50th Percentile | EWS Quota Seats |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL) | 45th Percentile | Central OBC Quota Seats |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) / Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 45th Percentile | SC / ST Reserved Quotas |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD) | 45th Percentile | Horizontal 5% PwD Quota |
| Sponsored / Foreign National Candidates | 50th Percentile | Dedicated Sponsored Seats |
Tie-Breaking Criteria in Merit Ranking
If two or more candidates obtain identical aggregate marks, rank determination follows these official tie-breaking rules in sequential order:
- Fewer Negative Marks: The candidate with fewer negative marks across the entire test receives the higher merit rank.
- Candidate Age: If the tie persists, the candidate older in age gets the higher rank.
Expected Cutoff Ranks for Top Clinical Branches
Competition for top clinical disciplines in AIIMS New Delhi and PGIMER Chandigarh requires high merit ranks. Below is an indicative rank expectation for the INI CET January 2027 Session based on previous session cutoffs:
| Medical Specialty / Branch | AIIMS New Delhi (UR Closing Rank) | Top 6 AIIMS (UR Closing Rank) | Newer AIIMS (UR Closing Rank) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MD Radiodiagnosis | AIR 1 – AIR 15 | AIR 50 – AIR 180 | AIR 200 – AIR 450 |
| MD General Medicine | AIR 1 – AIR 35 | AIR 60 – AIR 220 | AIR 250 – AIR 550 |
| MD Dermatology (DVL) | AIR 1 – AIR 40 | AIR 70 – AIR 260 | AIR 300 – AIR 600 |
| MS General Surgery | AIR 40 – AIR 160 | AIR 200 – AIR 650 | AIR 700 – AIR 1,400 |
| MD Paediatrics | AIR 30 – AIR 140 | AIR 180 – AIR 500 | AIR 550 – AIR 1,100 |
| MS Orthopaedics | AIR 50 – AIR 190 | AIR 250 – AIR 750 | AIR 800 – AIR 1,600 |
| MS Obstetrics and Gynaecology | AIR 60 – AIR 240 | AIR 300 – AIR 850 | AIR 900 – AIR 1,800 |
| MD Anaesthesiology | AIR 250 – AIR 650 | AIR 700 – AIR 1,800 | AIR 1,900 – AIR 3,500 |
Step-by-Step Guide to Download Admit Card
Candidates can download their hall ticket from October 26, 2026 onwards by following these simple steps:
- Visit the Portal: Open your web browser and navigate to aiimsexams.ac.in.
- Open Academic Courses: Click on the “Academic Courses” tab on the homepage and select “INI-CET(MD/MS/MCh(6yrs)/DM(6yrs))”.
- Candidate Login: Under the applicant login area, enter your Registration ID, Exam Unique Code (EUC), and Password.
- Enter Captcha: Enter the security captcha shown on the screen and click on “Login”.
- Download Admit Card: Click on the “Download Admit Card” link on your candidate dashboard.
- Verify Details and Print: Check your name, roll number, allotted test centre address, reporting time, and photograph clarity. Print two clear color copies on A4 paper.
Mandatory Documents and Exam Day Instructions
On November 1, 2026, candidates appearing for the examination must carry the following items to the test centre:
- Printed copy of the official INI CET Admit Card with a clear, recognisable photograph
- Original and valid Government Photo ID (Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, PAN Card, or Driving Licence)
- Original Permanent or Provisional Medical Registration Certificate issued by NMC, MCI, or State Medical Council
- Two recent passport-sized photographs matching the application upload
Barred Items Note: Mobile phones, smart watches, Bluetooth earphones, calculators, bags, wallets, ornaments, and study materials are strictly prohibited inside the examination premises.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About INI CET Admission
Q1: What is the exam date for the INI CET January 2027 Session?
Answer: The INI CET January 2027 Session exam will be held on November 1, 2026 (Sunday) from 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM as a computer-based online test.
Q2: When will AIIMS release the INI CET January 2027 Admit Card?
Answer: The official admit card will be available for download on aiimsexams.ac.in starting October 26, 2026.
Q3: What is the negative marking in the INI CET January 2027 Session?
Answer: Each correct response receives +1 mark, while each incorrect response results in a deduction of 1/3 mark (-0.33 marks). Unanswered questions carry zero marks.
Q4: How many questions are asked in the INI CET MD/MS paper?
Answer: The MD/MS examination consists of 200 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 180 minutes (3 hours).
Q5: Which institutes offer admission through the INI CET January 2027 Session?
Answer: Admissions are offered across AIIMS New Delhi, all 18 new AIIMS institutes, PGIMER Chandigarh, JIPMER Puducherry, NIMHANS Bengaluru, and SCTIMST Thiruvananthapuram.
Sources Checked and Editorial Verification
- Official AIIMS Examination Portal (aiimsexams.ac.in)
- Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER Chandigarh)
- Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER Puducherry)
- National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS Bengaluru)
Update Policy: This page is actively tracked and will be revised immediately when AIIMS New Delhi publishes the final institutional seat matrix, admit card download link, or merit list notices.