AIIMS, New Delhi, conducts the INI CET, a national-level entrance exam for candidates seeking admission to postgraduate medical courses. Candidates who crack the INI CET 2026 can get admission to MD, MDS, MS, DM, and MCh courses at top institutions such as AIIMS, NIMHANS, JIPMER, etc.

The application process for INI CET began in September this year. Keep reading to learn more about the important dates for the INI CET exam, its highlights, exam-day guidelines, documentation, and more.

What are the Important Dates of the INI CET 2026 Exam?

The INI CET exam is conducted in two sessions. The exam date for the January 2026 session was 9^th November 2025, and for the July 2026 session, the tentative exam date is 17^th May 2026. Candidates must visit the official website to stay updated on the upcoming dates for the INI CET exam 2026.

The important dates for the INI CET 2026 exam are given in the table below. Some of the dates are not released yet, so the tentative dates are provided here:

INI CET Exam Events	January 2026 Session Dates	July 2026 Session Dates
Release of Application Form	30th September 2025	2nd Week of March 2026
Last Date of Form Fill Up	21st October 2025	3rd Week of April 2026
Last Date of Application Fee Submission	21st October 2025	3rd Week of April 2026
Application Edit Window	24th October to 26th October 2025	1st Week of April to 4th Week of April 2026
Admit Card Release	1st November 2025	2nd Week of May 2026
Date of INI CET Exam	9th November 2025	17th May 2026
Result Declaration	15th November 2025	23rd May 2026
Counselling	1st Week of December	Not Yet Announced

What are the Main Highlights of the INI CET 2026 Exam?

The main highlights of the INI CET 2026 exam include the following:

Particulars	Details
Name of the Exam	INI CET
Conducting Board	AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences)
Duration of Exam	180 minutes (3 hours)
Level of Exam	National
Total Number of Questions	200
Question Type	Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Marking Scheme	+1 for each correct answer
Total Sections of Questions	4
Number of Questions in Each Section	50
Eligibility	MBBS degree with compulsory internship and minimum marks as per category
Language of Exam	English
Syllabus	Pre-Clinical (Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry), Para-Clinical (Pathology, Microbiology, etc.), Clinical (Medicine, Surgery, etc.)

What are the Guidelines for the INI CET 2026 Exam Day?

Candidates appearing for the INI CET 2026 must follow some guidelines on the day of the exam. Upon arrival, they need to verify their ID and admission card. Moreover, they must follow the list of items that must be carried and those that are prohibited in the exam centre.

Here are some of the common guidelines that you must follow in the INI CET exam centre:

• Each candidate must enter the examination hall at least 60 – 90 minutes prior to the scheduled time.
• Latecomers will not be allowed to enter the examination centre as the gates will be closed after the time mentioned on the admit card.
• Candidates must undergo biometric verification upon arrival, in accordance with the examination centre’s norms.
• Verification and frisking of ID and admit cards will be done upon arrival.

• Frisking & verification of identity and admit card details will be conducted. 
• Candidates must carry the admit card, a valid photo ID, and a passport-size photograph (if required).
• They can also carry basic stationery for the exam, if the examination centre permits.
• Smart watches, mobile phones, electronic gadgets, log tables, calculators, any metallic or electronic items, heavy accessories, etc., are strictly prohibited.
• Candidates may need to wear a mask, use sanitiser, and maintain social distancing, as per the centre’s protocols, in the event of any ongoing health advisories.

What are the Documents Required to Apply for INI CET 2026?

Candidates applying for the INI CET 2026 must keep all the necessary documents handy. It includes their MBBS degree certificate, a recent passport-size photo, internship certificate, valid ID proof, etc.

Candidates need to submit the following documents while applying for INI CET 2026:

• Passport-sized photograph of the candidate (recent)
• Scanned copy of signature
• Certificate of internship and an MBBS or BDS degree
• Category certificate if applicable (SC, ST, OBC, etc.)
• Aadhaar, passport, driving license, or any other Valid ID proof

What is the Exam Pattern of INI CET 2026?

Candidates must have a thorough understanding of the INI CET exam pattern to prepare effectively. It is a computer-based test that is conducted for 3 hours. The papers are divided into 4 parts; each part contains 50 questions, and 45 minutes is allotted for each part.

The exam pattern for the INI CET 2026 exam is explained in the table below:

Particulars	Details
Mode of Examination	CBT (Computer-Based Test)
Total Number of Questions	200
Duration	180 minutes (3 hours)
Question Type	Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Paper Pattern	4 sections with 50 questions in each, and the duration for each section is 45 minutes
Marking Scheme	+1 mark for each correct answer and -1/3 for each wrong answer
Subjects	Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, and Clinical Subjects

What is the INI CET 2026 Cut Off?

The INI CET 2026 cut-off refers to the minimum percentile a candidate must achieve to qualify for admission to postgraduate medical courses offered by Institutes of National Importance (INIs), such as AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, NIMHANS, and others.

For candidates in the Unreserved (UR) category, including OCI, EWS, Sponsored, and Foreign Nationals, the qualifying percentile is set at 50. If you belong to OBC, SC, ST, PwBD, and Bhutanese Nationals applying particularly to PGI Chandigarh, the qualifying percentile is 45.

This cut-off percentile varies each year based on factors such as the number of applicants, seat availability, exam difficulty, and reservation policies. Meeting the qualifying percentile is necessary to be eligible for the counselling process and subsequent seat allotment in these institutes.

FAQs about INI CET 2026 Exam Date

1. When is the INI CET exam in 2026?

The INI CET 2026 exam will be held in two sessions. For the January 2026 session, the exam date is 9^th November 2025, and for the July session, the exam date is 17^th May 2026.

2. Is there a time limit for answering each section of the INI CET 2026?

Yes, the question paper is divided into 4 sections with 50 questions in each part. The maximum time limit to answer each section is 45 minutes.

3. How many attempts are allowed in the INI CET exam?

Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria for the INI CET exam may appear for it as many times as they wish.

4. What is the application fee to appear for the INI CET exam?

The INI CET exam app costs ₹4,000 for General and OBC candidates. For SC, ST, and EWS candidates, the fee is ₹3,200; PwBD candidates are exempt.

5. What documents are needed to apply for the INI CET exam?

Candidates must submit their MBBS or BDS degree certificate, ID proof, photographs, scanned signature, and internship certificate to apply for the exam.

Conclusion

The INI CET 2026 exam for the Jan 2026 session will be held on 9^th November 2025. Candidates who have missed this date can prepare for the July session, which will be held in May 2026. You must go through the exam highlights, pattern, eligibility, and syllabus before applying to ensure effective preparation.

You can also seek guidance from expert online tutorial platforms like DocTutorials. We provide clinical Qbank, crisp videos, exam-focused edition notes, mindmaps, and much more to ensure your success in INI CET 2026.For more information, enrol in our INI CET online coaching today!