Doctors in India who want to gain admission to top postgraduate medical universities or institutions should take the INI CET exam. It is one of the crucial entrance examinations conducted for admission to PG medical and dental courses at reputed government medical institutions.

INI CET or Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test qualified candidates can study in AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, NIMHANS, or SCTIMST. Keep reading to learn more about what is INI-CET exam, its eligibility criteria, conducting body, exam pattern, and career outcomes. 

What is the INI-CET Exam?

The INI CET exam is conducted by AIIMS, New Delhi, for candidates seeking admission to PG medical courses such as MS, MD, MCh, MDS, etc. It is a computer-based entrance exam for medical students who want to seek admission to reputed government medical colleges.

The INI CET is a computer-based national-level entrance examination for candidates seeking admission to PG medical courses such as MS (Master of Surgery), MD (Doctor of Medicine), MDS (Master of Dental Surgery), MCh, and DM.

AIIMS New Delhi conduct this examination on behalf of all the other participating INIs (Institutes of National Importance).

What are the Eligibility Criteria for Candidates Appearing for the INI-CET Exam?

To apply for the INI CET exam, candidates must fulfil certain eligibility requirements. Each candidate should have a valid MBBS degree from a recognised institution and complete the compulsory 12-month internship. General and OBC candidates should have scored a minimum of 55% marks in MBBS or BDS, and for SC or ST, the minimum score is 50%.

Candidates applying for the INI CET exam should meet the eligibility criteria as set by the conducting bodies. Every candidate should know the eligibility criteria to ensure that they fulfil them. Here are the eligibility criteria for the INI CET exam:

• You should have a valid MBBS degree for MS, MD, DM (6 years), BDS, or MCh (6 years) degree from any NMC (National Medical Commission) or MCI (Medical Council of India) recognised institution.  
• General, EWS, or OBC candidates should have obtained a minimum aggregate mark of 55% in MBBS or BDS to appear for the INI CET exam. For SC or ST candidates, the minimum marks are 50%.
• Each candidate should have completed a compulsory 12-month internship before applying for the INI CET exam. They need to provide the internship completion certificate while applying. 

Who is the Conducting Body for INI-CET Exam?

INI-CET application, examination, result, counselling and seat allocation are conducted by AIIMS, New Delhi. It has several Institutes of National Importance participating, including AIIMS campuses, PGIMER Chandigarh, NIMHANS Bengaluru, SCTIMST Trivandrum and JIPMER Puducherry.

The conducting body for the INI CET exam is AIIMS, New Delhi. It manages the application process for this exam, conducts the exam, announces the result, and handles the counselling and seat allocation process. No individual institute conducts any separate PG entrance exam for the above-mentioned courses. However, several institutions participate in INI CET examinations. Here they are:

• AIIMS (multiple campuses across India)
• PGIMER Chandigarh
• NIMHANS Bengaluru
• SCTIMST Trivandrum
• JIPMER Puducherry

Given the research output, academic standards, and clinical exposure of these institutes, they are designated as Institutes of National Importance.

What is the INI-CET Exam Structure?

Candidates appearing for the INI CET exam must understand the exam pattern to prepare strategically. It is a postgraduate medical entrance exam conducted by AIIMS, New Delhi, in online mode. The exam lasts 3 hours and includes 200 multiple-choice questions.

Before starting your preparation for the INI CET exam, you should understand the structure of the examination. It helps your preparation, revision, and practise. Despite their hard work, some candidates underperform due to misalignment with the exam pattern.

The table below provides a clear overview of the INI CET exam pattern:

Features	Details
Name of the Exam	INI CET 2026
Type of the Exam	PG medical entrance
Conducting Body	AIIMS, New Delhi
Mode of Exam	CBT (Computer-Based Test)
Offered Courses	MS, MD, MCh (6 years), DM (6 years), MDS
Duration of Exam	180 minutes (3 hours)
Language of Exam	English
Total Questions	200 MCQs
Marking Scheme	+1 for each correct answer, -1/3 for a wrong answer, and 0 for unanswered questions
Question Type	MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)

What are the Career Options Available for INI-CET Qualified Candidates?

Candidates completing the INI CET exam can pursue a career in orthopaedics, obstetrics, general surgery, dermatology, paediatrics, dental sciences, neurosurgery, etc.

There are multiple career options for candidates who have successfully completed their INI CET exams. They are eligible for the following PG programmes:

• Master of Surgery (MS): Candidates can pursue a career in General Surgery, as an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Orthopaedics, etc.
• Doctor of Medicine (MD): Candidates can pursue a career as specialists in Paediatrics, Internal Medicine, and Dermatology.
• Doctorate of Medicine (DM): Candidates can pursue a career as a super-specialist in Neurology and Cardiology.
• Master of Dental Surgery (MDS): Candidates can pursue a career in advanced dental sciences. 
• Master of Chirurgiae (MCh): Candidates can pursue a career in advanced surgical training in Neurosurgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery.

Graduates can select fields that fit their interests and strengths thanks to the distinctive career pathways offered by each of these specialisations.

FAQs about INI-CET Exam

1. What is the INI CET exam?

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) administers the Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test (INI CET) 2026, a national entrance exam for admission to MD, MS, MDS, DM, and MCh programs in prestigious medical schools.

2. Who can appear for the INI CET in 2026?

Candidates must finish the required internship by the deadline and hold an MBBS or BDS degree from an accredited university.

3. How often does INI CET take place in a year?

The INI CET is held twice every year. The first session occurs in January, and the second one in July. Candidates can apply in any of these sessions as per their preference and preparation.

4. How many questions should I try to answer safely?

Candidates should aim to answer at least 180–185 questions with 90% accuracy. Since there is a -1/3 penalty for wrong answers, candidates should focus on answering as many questions correctly as possible to avoid negative marking.

5. Do all subjects have the same importance?

Candidates should pay attention to high-weight subjects like pathology, medicine, surgery, and OBGYN, but don’t overlook low-weight subjects that account for 15–20% of your final score.

Conclusion

For medical graduates hoping to pursue postgraduate studies at India’s top medical institutions, INI CET 2026 is an essential test. The exam, administered by AIIMS New Delhi, guarantees a uniform, open admissions process for MD, MS, MDS, DM, and MCh programs across Institutes of National Importance. 

To guarantee a top rank, candidates should carefully follow official notifications, fulfil eligibility criteria, and prepare strategically. Besides, candidates can join online coaching like DocTutorials for professional guidance. Our course includes video lectures, quality study materials, and Quick Revision Programmes by expert faculty.

Join our INI CET course for more updates!