INI CET: Exam Dates, Guidelines, and Question Patterns

The Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test (INICET) is a prestigious national-level examination conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.
It serves as the gateway for admission to postgraduate medical courses such as MD, MS, M.Ch (6 years), DM (6 years), and MDS at premier medical institutions, including AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, and NIMHANS.
With competition increasing each year, aspirants aiming for INICET November 2025 (January Session) must have a well-structured preparation plan, a deep understanding of the exam pattern, and updated information on important dates and processes.
This guide provides a detailed overview of the INICET 2025 exam, from key dates to preparation strategies and counselling insights. Keep reading to learn more.
What is INICET? A Brief Overview
INI CET full form is the Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test. It is a national-level postgraduate medical entrance examination conducted by AIIMS New Delhi on behalf of all INI institutions.
The exam consolidates PG admissions for multiple premier institutes, including:
- AIIMS (All India Institutes of Medical Sciences)
- JIPMER, Puducherry
- PGIMER, Chandigarh
- NIMHANS, Bengaluru
- SCTIMST, Trivandrum
The exam is held twice a year, for the January and July sessions.
INICET November 2025: Important Dates and Events
The INICET November 2025 (January session) will be conducted by AIIMS on November 9, 2025, for admission into postgraduate medical courses at AIIMS, JIPMER, NIMHANS, and other institutes of national importance. Below is the tentative timeline of important events.
Event | Date |
Basic Registration Opens | Last week of September 2025 |
Registration Deadline | Third week of October 2025 |
EUC Generation & Final Registration Window | Second week of October 2025 |
Admit Card Release | First week of November 2025 |
INI-CET Exam (January Session) | November 9, 2025 (9 AM – 12 PM) |
Result Declaration | November 15, 2025 |
Open Round Registration & Choice Filling | Dates to be announced |
Open Round Seat Allotment Result | Dates to be announced |
INICET 2025: Exam Pattern and Format
AIIMS conducts the INICET 2025 for admission to postgraduate medical courses across AIIMS, JIPMER, NIMHANS, and other top medical institutes of national importance. Understanding the exam pattern and format is essential for adequate preparation. The table shows the essential aspects of the exam:
Feature | Details |
Exam Mode | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
Exam Duration | 3 hours (180 Minutes) |
Exam Date (January Session) | November 9, 2025 |
Total Questions | 200 (Objective Type) |
Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) & Single/Multiple Correct Options |
Marking Scheme | +1 for Correct Answer, – ⅓ for Wrong Answer |
Language | English Only |
This objective-based exam tests both factual knowledge and clinical reasoning across all major subjects taught during the MBBS course.
How to Access the INICET Login Portal?
The INICET login portal is the official online platform provided by AIIMS, New Delhi, where candidates can manage every step of the exam process—from registration to counselling. Whether you want to fill out the application form, download your admit card, check results, or take part in seat allotment, this portal is your one-stop access point.
Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to help you log in easily:
- Visit the AIIMS Exams Website
Go to the official website: www.aiimsexams.ac.in. This is the only authentic platform to access INICET-related activities.
- Navigate to the Academic Courses Section
On the homepage, click on the “Academic Courses” tab. A list of courses will appear, including undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
- Select INICET
Under the postgraduate courses, choose “INICET”. Then select the relevant exam session, for example, INI-CET November 2025.
- Log in with Your Credentials
Here’s how you can log in:
- Enter your Registration ID (generated during basic registration).
- Provide the EUC (Examination Unique Code) for final registration.
- Enter the password you created during registration.
- Fill in the captcha code displayed on the screen.
- Access Your Dashboard
Once logged in, candidates will be redirected to their personal dashboard. From here, you can:
- Complete registration or make corrections.
- Download your INICET admit card.
- Check your exam result and scorecard.
- Participate in counselling, choice filling, and seat allotment.
Note: Always ensure you use the official AIIMS portal to avoid fraudulent links, and keep your login credentials safe for future use during counselling and admission.
Significance of Previous Year Papers: Insights from INICET May 2025
The INICET May 2025 exam analysis offers valuable lessons for future aspirants. By reviewing the trends, difficulty level, and subject weightage, candidates can understand how solving previous year papers strengthens preparation and boosts performance.
Here are the insights from INICET May 2025:
- Overall Difficulty
The INICET May 2025 exam was rated moderately complex by most students. While it wasn’t extremely tough, many questions were designed in a way that tested both conceptual clarity and quick thinking. Tricky framing and close answer choices made it challenging to arrive at the correct option.
- Question Style
A considerable number of questions were lengthy and time-consuming, requiring candidates to carefully read and analyse before attempting. This increased the importance of time management skills, which can be practised by reviewing previous papers.
- Repetition
Unlike some earlier sessions, there were very few direct repeats of previous year questions. However, certain high-yield concepts resurfaced in different formats, showing that while exact repetition is rare, familiar topics remain essential.
- Student Perception
Around 63.8% of the candidates felt the exam was moderate in nature, while about 25.5% considered it difficult. This suggests that the paper was balanced, but those with weak foundational knowledge may have found it more challenging.
- Question Distribution
Here’s how the question distribution was done:
- Nearly 57.4% of the paper was concept-based, testing the core understanding of subjects.
- About 12.8% were clinical scenario questions, requiring practical application of knowledge.
- Around 29.8% were one-liners, offering quick scoring opportunities for well-prepared students.
- High-Weightage Subjects
The maximum focus was given to anatomy, pharmacology, ophthalmology, medicine, and orthopaedics. These subjects contributed a significant number of questions, proving that consistent revision of core medical sciences is crucial.
- Low-Weightage Subjects
Fewer questions were asked from preventive & social medicine (PSM), forensic medicine & toxicology (FMT), physiology, surgery, and anaesthesia. While these shouldn’t be ignored, they were less emphasised in this session.
- Preparation Insights
Candidates who had solved previous year papers and mock tests were able to handle the exam better. They applied elimination methods for confusing options, managed their time effectively, and were familiar with clinical-style questioning, giving them a decisive advantage.
INICET Admit Card and Exam Day Guidelines
Understanding the INICET admit card and exam day guidelines played a crucial role in ensuring a smooth and hassle-free conduct of the November 2025 exam, helping candidates stay well-prepared and organised on the test day.
How Can Candidates Download the INICET 2025 Admit Card?
The INICET November 2025 (January session) admit card will be released in the first week of November, usually seven days before the exam. The admit card will be made available only on the official AIIMS portal, and candidates need to follow these steps:
- Visit the official website: aiimsexams.org
- Click on the “Academic Courses” tab.
- Select “INICET (MD/MS/MCh (6yrs)/DM (6yrs))” from the course list.
- Log in using the registration ID, password, and captcha code.
- The INICET 2025 admit card appeared on the screen.
- Candidates were required to check important details such as name, roll number, exam date, time, and venue.
- Finally, they had to download and print the admit card for exam day verification.
Exam Day Guidelines
Here are the strict exam day instructions issued by AIIMS that all candidates are required to follow:
- Candidates had to carry the original admit card printout, two passport-sized photographs, a valid photo ID (Aadhaar, Voter ID, PAN, Driving License, or E-Aadhaar), and a copy of the MCI Registration Certificate (if applicable).
- Details on the admit card were required to match with the ID proof, as any mismatch could lead to cancellation of candidature.
- Items such as mobile phones, calculators, smartwatches, stationery, books, bags, wallets, food, and water bottles were strictly prohibited inside the exam hall.
- There was no need to paste a photograph on the admit card, and photocopies were not accepted.
- Candidates were instructed to report to the exam centre on time to complete the verification and frisking process without delays.
- Compliance with the invigilators’ instructions was mandatory to avoid disqualification.
Results and Counselling Process of INICET 2025
The counselling process and results of INICET 2025 are the final steps in admission, revealing candidate eligibility, seat allocation, and institute assignment based on merit and preferences.
Here are the key details about the INICET 2025 results and counselling process:
INICET 2025 Results
- Declared on the official AIIMS portal.
- Results are published in the form of a merit list.
- Candidates must score above the minimum qualifying percentile:
- 50th percentile for UR
- 45th percentile for OBC, SC, ST, and PwBD (varies)
Counselling Process
- Conducted online via AIIMS PG Counselling Portal.
- Involves multiple rounds:
- Round 1
- Round 2
- Open Round (if seats remain)
- Candidates need to register, fill out preferences, and lock their choices.
- Seat allotment is based on rank, preferences, and availability.
- Selected candidates must report with documents and join on time to avoid seat forfeiture.
FAQs about INICET 2025
- What documents are required during counselling for INICET 2025?
Candidates must submit their admit card, result or scorecard, MBBS degree or provisional certificate, internship completion certificate, category certificate (if applicable), and valid ID proof.
- What was the qualifying percentile for INICET 2025?
The cutoff percentile for INICET 2025 was set at the 50th percentile for UR/EWS category candidates and around the 45th percentile for OBC/SC/ST/PwBD candidates, with some variation as per the official announcement.
- How many seats were offered through INICET 2025 (May)?
The exam provided admission to nearly 1,300+ MD/MS/DM/MCh/MDS seats in AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, and NIMHANS.
- How long is the INICET 2025 score valid?
The INICET score for the January Session is valid only for the January 2026 admission cycle. It cannot be carried forward to the following year.
Conclusion
Getting the INI CET 2025 results and counselling updates marks a critical milestone for medical aspirants. Reviewing the exam pattern, subject weightage, and previous year papers helps refine preparation for future attempts. Staying informed about official announcements, dates, and processes ensures a smooth admission journey into India’s premier medical institutes.
To make your preparation easier, you can rely on DocTutorials, where you’ll find trusted resources, detailed guidance, and expert mentorship to keep you on track. Stay consistent, practice rigorously, and approach each stage with confidence to secure your place in one of India’s top medical institutions.
Start your preparation with DocTutorials’ INI CET course today and move one step closer to turning your medical career aspirations into reality!
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