The Institute of National Importance-Combined Entrance Test, or INI-CET, is a combined medical entrance exam. MBBS graduates who want admission to PG courses like DM, MD, MS (6 years), MDS, and MCh (6 years) at reputed INI institutes must clear the INI-CET exam.

It evaluates the candidate’s knowledge, skills, and competencies in the medical field. However, before applying for the examination, candidates must meet the eligibility criteria and check the list of participating institutes.

The AIIMS INI-CET July 2026 session is scheduled to be held on 16th May 2026. The admit card will be released on 9th May 2026 and will be uploaded on the official AIIMS website at aiimsexams.ac.in.

 Here’s more on it!

Which Institutes are Participating in the INI-CET 2026?

The participating colleges of the INI CET exam include 23 leading institutions of India. This group of institutions provides postgraduate medical courses, including MCh (6 years), MS, MD, and DM (6 years), among others. The participating institutions comprise recognised medical and research institutions, such as JIPMER, AIIMS campuses, PGIMER, SCTIMST, and NIMHANS.

The table below represents the list of participating institutions in the INI-CET 2026:

Name of the Institution	Location	Number of Seats	Website
AIIMS Nagpur	Maharashtra	75 (UR-35, OBC-18, SC-10, ST-5, EWS-7)	https://www.aiimsnagpur.edu.in/
AIIMS New Delhi	New Delhi	190 (UR-79, OBC-50, SC-28, ST-14, EWS-19)	https://www.aiimsexams.ac.in/
AIIMS Patna	Bihar	70 (UR-34, OBC-16, SC-9, ST-5, EWS-6)	https://www.aiimspatna.edu.in/
AIIMS Bhopal	Madhya Pradesh	86 (UR-38, OBC-22, SC-12, ST-6, EWS-8)	https://www.aiimsbhopal.edu.in/
AIIMS Bhubaneswar	Odisha	102 (UR-42, OBC-23, SC-15, ST-12, EWS-10)	https://www.aiimsbhubaneswar.edu.in/
AIIMS Jodhpur	Rajasthan	64 (UR-26, OBC-17, SC-10, ST-5, EWS-6)	https://www.aiimsjodhpur.edu.in/
AIIMS Raipur	Chhattisgarh	88 (UR-36, OBC-23, SC-14, ST-6, EWS-9)	https://www.aiimsraipur.edu.in/
AIIMS Rishikesh	Uttarakhand	119 (UR-54, OBC-30, SC-16, ST-9, EWS-10)	https://www.aiimsrishikesh.edu.in/
AIIMS Bibinagar	Telangana	50 (UR-21, OBC-14, SC-7, ST-3, EWS-5)	https://www.aiimsbibinagar.edu.in/
AIIMS Bathinda	Punjab	62 (UR-29, OBC-15, SC-8, ST-4, EWS-6)	https://www.aiimsbathinda.edu.in/
AIIMS Deoghar	Jharkhand	38 (UR-17, OBC-10, SC-6, ST-2, EWS-3)	https://www.aiimsdeoghar.edu.in/
AIIMS Mangalgiri	Andhra Pradesh	77 (UR-26, OBC-22, SC-13, ST-7, EWS-9)	https://www.aiimsmangalagiri.edu.in/
AIIMS Raebareli	Uttar Pradesh	49 (UR-23, OBC-12, SC-7, ST-3, EWS-4)	https://www.aiimsrbl.edu.in/
AIIMS Kalyani	West Bengal	114 (UR-46, OBC-31, SC-17, ST-8, EWS-12)	https://www.aiimskalyani.edu.in/
AIIMS Bilaspur	Himachal Pradesh	32 (UR-13, OBC-9, SC-5, ST-2, EWS-3)	https://www.aiimsbilaspur.edu.in/
AIIMS Gorakhpur	Uttar Pradesh	30 (UR-12, OBC-9, SC-4, ST-2, EWS-3)	https://www.aiimsgorakhpur.edu.in/
AIIMS Guwahati	Assam	44 (UR-20, OBC-11, SC-6, ST-3, EWS-4)	https://www.aiimsguwahati.ac.in/
AIIMS Rajkot	Gujarat	31 (UR-13, OBC-8, SC-5, ST-2, EWS-3)	https://www.aiimsrajkot.edu.in/
AIIMS Jammu	Jammu & Kashmir	28 (UR-12, OBC-9, SC-3, ST-1, EWS-3)	https://www.aiimsjammu.edu.in/
JIPMER	Puducherry	135	https://www.jipmer.edu.in/
NIMAHANS	Bengaluru	25 (UR-17, OBC-3, SC-1, ST-2, EWS-2)	https://www.nimhans.ac.in/
PGIMER	Chandigarh	132 (UR-67, OBC-34, SC-22,  ST-9, EWS-0)	https://www.pgimer.edu.in/

What are the Eligibility Criteria for INI-CET 2026?

​​Candidates appearing for the INI-CET exam must be an IN (Indian National), OCI (Overseas Citizen of India), or Foreign National with specific permitted categories. The eligibility criteria may vary based on your nationality.

The eligibility criteria for each nationality are explained below:

1. Indian Nationals (IN)

Indian citizens must meet the following eligibility criteria to appear for the INI-CET exam:

• General Eligibility

Candidates must have an NMC/MCI-recognised MBBS degree to apply for INI-CET. They must have completed a 12-month compulsory rotary practical training or internship before applying for the INI CET exam 2026.

• Minimum Aggregate Marks

If you are a general, OBC, or EWS candidate, you must have scored a minimum of 55% aggregate marks in the MBBS or BDS degree. However, for SC and ST, the minimum requirement is 50%. The minimum aggregate marks for PwBD candidates are also the same, based on their category.

To determine the minimum eligibility aggregate needed, you need to calculate the total of all professional MBBS/BDS tests. For supplemental exams, only the marks obtained for successful completion should be considered.

• Sponsored Candidates

Apart from the above criteria, the sponsored candidates need to provide their sponsored certificate while applying for the INI-CET. They also need to submit the original documents during the admission process.

• Indian Nationals Graduated from Foreign Universities

If you are an Indian National who graduated from a foreign university, in place of aggregate marks, the marks you obtained in the NBE-conducted FMGE exam will be considered.

Note: You cannot apply for seats under the Foreign National and Indian National categories at the same time.

2. Foreign Nationals

Candidates who are not Indian citizens are considered foreign citizens. Here are the eligibility criteria they must fulfil:

• General Eligibility

For admission to the MD/MS/DM (6-year) and MCh (6-year) programmes, candidates must have completed their MBBS degree. Additionally, they must have completed their BDS degree and a 12-month rotational internship or practical training to be eligible for admission to the MDS programme.

Foreign nationals applying for INI-CET must have a grading system certificate from a relevant university or institution to calculate the aggregate as per that institution’s grading system. Next, complete the Application Form for INI-CET July session 2026 by filling out the “Marks Column”.

• Minimum Aggregate Marks

The minimum aggregate score for all MBBS/BDS professional exams must be 55% or above to be qualified for INI-CET.

• No Objection Certificate (NOC)

Foreign nationals must obtain the NOC from the Indian government’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It should be submitted to the Examination Section before the deadline.

The deadline for foreign nationals to apply and appear in the INI-CET for PG courses for July 2026 will be declared soon. The application form must be submitted appropriately and accompanied by a “No Objection Certificate” from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.

Only candidates who were born before March 4, 2021, and obtained their OCI card before that date, are eligible for open category (unreserved) seats for Indian nationals. They won’t be considered for seats designated for foreigners.

As per the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India’s ruling in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 891 of 2021, dated February 3, 2023, foreign nationals who are OCI/PIO cardholders are eligible. They are not to be classed as Indian nationals and will not get any consideration for seats designated for Indian nationals.

To prevent the cancellation of the application form, it is strongly recommended that you verify your eligibility for the INI-CET exam and send the necessary paperwork on time.

What is the Admission Procedure for INI-CET?

If you want to take admission for the INI-CET exam, you need to follow a few steps. You need to follow the registration process, which involves providing all your basic information, completing the application form, and uploading all the necessary documents. There are two more phases in the admission process, which include an examination and seat allocation.

The admission procedure for the INI-CET exam is divided into the following three phases:

Phase 1: Application Process

In this phase, you must follow the registration process and provide the basic candidate information. You need to generate the EUC and complete the application form. 

Upload all necessary documents while completing the application form. If an OCI card is applicable, upload the earliest-issued, valid one on the portal. The document requirements may vary depending on the nationality and category of applicants.

Phase 2: Examination

In this phase, the admit card is released, and a computer-based test is conducted. The result is declared after the examination and counselling take place in the participating institutes. You can choose a college after the results are declared.

Phase 3: Seat Allocation

Counselling processes for each round, such as the mock, first, and second rounds, are included in this phase. Additionally, extra rounds, open rounds, and spot rounds are conducted based on the requirements.

Even though the INI-CET is a difficult test, your efforts to gain admission to your ideal medical school are worthwhile.

FAQs about INI-CET Eligibility and Participating Institutes

1. What are the eligibility criteria for INI-CET?

Candidates must hold an MBBS or BDS degree from an NMC-recognised college, with a minimum of 55% marks (50% for reserved categories), and complete a 12-month rotating internship.​

2. Who can appear for the INI-CET exam?

Indian Nationals, Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), and foreign nationals meeting the eligibility and documentation requirements can appear for the INI-CET for postgraduate medical admissions.​

3. Is there an age limit for INI-CET?

No, there is no age restriction to appear for the INI-CET exam.​ MBBS graduates of any age can apply for the INI-CET exam.

4. Which institutes participate in the INI-CET for admissions?

Institutes of National Importance, such as AIIMS Delhi, JIPMER Puducherry, NIMHANS Bengaluru, PGIMER Chandigarh, and SCTIMST Thiruvananthapuram, conduct admissions through the INI-CET.​

5. Can foreign medical graduates appear for INI-CET?

Yes, foreign medical graduates who pass the FMGE and meet the academic criteria are eligible to apply for the INI-CET exam.

6. What are the minimum qualifying marks for INI-CET 2025?

The candidates from the General, OBC, and EWS categories must have an aggregate score of 55% in their last qualifying degree, while SC and ST candidates must have a score of only 50% to appear for INI-CET 2025. Any marks lower than that will not be accepted. 

7. What are the registration fees for INI-CET 2025?

Candidates belonging to the General, OBC, Foreign National, and OCI categories are required to pay ₹4,000, while those from SC, ST, and EWS categories need to pay ₹3,200. Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD) are fully exempted from paying the registration fee. The application fee must be paid online only using net banking, credit card, or debit card.

8. What documents are required for the exam day of INI-CET 2025?

Items generally permitted inside the examination center include the admit card, a valid photo ID proof (as specified in the next section), one passport-size photograph if required, and basic stationery, subject to the exam authorities’ guidelines.

9. How many rounds of counselling are there for INI-CET 2025?

The INI-CET 2025 counselling process, conducted by AIIMS for postgraduate courses, generally takes place in four rounds. It begins with a mock round, followed by the first round, second round, and the open (or spot) round of seat allocation. Candidates are required to register online and fill in their choices for each counselling round, as specified in the official schedule.

10. Who is eligible for counselling for INI-CET 2025?

Candidates are eligible for INI-CET 2025 counselling if they have qualified the INI-CET 2025 examination and meet the prescribed eligibility criteria set by AIIMS. This includes possessing a recognized MBBS/BDS degree, completing the mandatory rotatory internship by the stipulated deadline, and securing the minimum required percentile/merit rank in the exam.

Only candidates who register for counselling and fill their choices online within the given timeline are considered for seat allocation.

Conclusion

Qualified candidates with an MBBS or BDS degree from recognised institutions and completion of a compulsory internship are eligible to apply for the INI-CET exam. Various Institutes of National Importance participate, including AIIMS, JIPMER, and PGIMER, offering postgraduate courses. This unified exam streamlines admissions to premier institutes with no age limit, promoting fair and transparent selection.

Candidates applying for this exam can seek professional guidance from online tutorial centres like DocTutorials. Our efficient guidance, study materials, and regular assessment help candidates achieve success in the INI-CET exam.

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