Understand the exam
Exam overview
Admission test for specified postgraduate programs at participating Institutes of National Importance.
INI-CET
Admission
Postgraduate
Institutional
Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test
Last updated · Confirm dates, fees and eligibility on the official website before you apply.
Admission test for specified postgraduate programs at participating Institutes of National Importance.
Who can appear
Eligibility to appear
Graduation
A recognised MBBS or BDS qualification, internship and registration as applicable to the selected postgraduate program. Program, institute, internship cut-off and registration rules are published for each INI-CET session. Verify the current AIIMS prospectus.
Eligibility to appear is not the same as eligibility to be admitted. Individual institutions add their own criteria on top of the exam's rules.
Overview
What this exam is
The combined entrance test for postgraduate medical seats at the Institutes of National Importance, conducted by AIIMS Delhi on behalf of the participating institutes. It is separate from the national postgraduate examination and has its own calendar.
Subjects
What the paper tests
The MBBS curriculum, but with a noticeably different emphasis from the national postgraduate paper - more weight on recent literature, applied reasoning and basic sciences than on clinical recall alone. The paper is shorter and the competition sharper.
PreparationPlan
How to prepare
Preparing only from national postgraduate material leaves candidates exposed, because the question style differs - work through previous papers from this examination specifically. Seat numbers are very small, so treat it as an additional attempt alongside the main postgraduate route rather than as a substitute. Its earlier calendar can also serve as useful calibration.
AdmissionProcess
Who can take it, and how it runs
Who can appear. MBBS with internship.
How often. Twice a year.
Format. Computer-based.
Conducted by. AIIMS New Delhi.
Dates, eligibility and the paper pattern change from year to year. Check the current official notification before you plan around any of this.
Where the score is used
Courses connected to this exam
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How is this different from NEET PG?
It is a separate examination for postgraduate seats at the Institutes of National Importance, with its own calendar, a shorter paper and a noticeably different emphasis - more applied reasoning and recent literature, less clinical recall.
Should I prepare for it separately?
Partly. The syllabus is the same but the question style is not, so working through past papers from this examination specifically is worth the time. Preparing only from NEET PG material leaves candidates exposed.
Is it worth attempting if seats are so few?
Usually yes. It is an additional attempt at a strong institution, and because it falls on a different calendar it also serves as useful calibration before the main postgraduate examination.
Does clearing it guarantee a seat?
No. Seat numbers are very small and allocation runs through its own counselling. Treat it as a valuable extra chance rather than as a substitute for the national postgraduate route.
What is Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test used for?
PG medical admission at AIIMS, PGIMER, JIPMER, NIMHANS and SCTIMST.
Who is eligible to appear for Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test?
MBBS with internship. Confirm this against the current official notification, because eligibility rules are revised between sessions.
How often is Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test held, and in what format?
Twice a year. Computer-based.
Who conducts Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test?
AIIMS New Delhi.