INI CET 2026: Register by April 25 for July session exam on May 16

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, has announced the schedule and guidelines for the Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test (INI CET) July 2026 session. This national-level examination is a gateway for admission to postgraduate medical courses such as MD, MS, M.Ch (6 years), DM (6 years), and MDS at premier medical institutions across India.

The INI CET 2026 (July session) examination is set to take place on May 16, 2026, as an online Computer-Based Test (CBT). The examination is crucial for aspirants seeking postgraduate medical education at institutions including AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, and NIMHANS.

INI CET 2026 Examination Structure and Key Dates

The INI CET 2026 (July session) will be a three-hour examination, held from 9 AM to 12 PM on May 16, 2026. The test will consist of 200 objective-type questions, including Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with single or multiple correct options. The examination will be conducted exclusively in English.

According to AIIMS, New Delhi, the marking scheme for the INI CET involves awarding +1 mark for each correct answer and deducting ⅓ mark for every incorrect response. Basic registration for the July 2026 session commenced on March 28, 2026, with the deadline for both basic registration and EUC Generation & Final Registration Window set for April 25, 2026. Admit cards are slated for release on May 9, 2026, and the results are expected on May 23, 2026.

Eligibility Criteria and Participating Institutions

To be eligible for the INI CET July 2026 session, candidates must possess an MBBS degree for MD, MS, DM-6yrs, MCh-6yrs, and MD (Hospital Administration) courses. For MDS courses, a BDS degree is mandatory. In addition, candidates must have completed a 12-month compulsory rotating Internship/Practical training on or before July 31, 2026. Those completing their internship after this date are not eligible for registration.

Sponsored or Foreign National candidates are not eligible for General Seats in the INI CET. The examination supports admissions to many institutions, including various AIIMS branches across the country, JIPMER Puducherry, NIMHANS Bengaluru, PGIMER Chandigarh, and SCTIMST Trivandrum. The application process for INI-CET comprises three sequential phases: Application, Examination, and Seat Allocation.

Insights from Previous INI CET Examinations

The INI CET exam is conducted twice a year, catering to both January and July sessions. Analysis of the INI CET May 2025 examination indicated a moderately complex overall difficulty level, as reported by most students. The paper featured lengthy and time-consuming questions, with few direct repeats from previous years, though high-yield concepts were observed to resurface.

Approximately 57.4% of the INI CET May 2025 paper was concept-based, while clinical scenario questions constituted about 12.8%. One-liner questions made up around 29.8% of the paper. High-weightage subjects in the May 2025 exam included anatomy, pharmacology, ophthalmology, medicine, and orthopaedics. Conversely, subjects such as preventive & social medicine (PSM), forensic medicine & toxicology (FMT), physiology, surgery, and anaesthesia were identified as low-weightage areas.

Further reading

• AIIMS INI CET November 2026 admit cards released: download now
• INI-CET Jan 2027: Download admit card today, Oct 26
• INI CET exam pattern: sections, marking and duration Next step
• CENTAC NEET MDS 2026 Round 3 registration deadline extended; apply under revised cut-off
• NEET UG 2026: Apply for private MBBS seats now; fees slashed up to 40% Applications open
• INI CET: complete exam guide

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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