The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has officially begun the counseling registration process for the Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test (INI CET) for the January 2026 academic session. This phase opens doors for 32,374 eligible candidates competing for prestigious MD, MS, DM, MCh, and other PG seats across the country’s top medical institutes.
The INI CET serves as the single-window gateway for admission to programs at AIIMS (all branches), PGIMER Chandigarh, JIPMER Puducherry, NIMHANS Bengaluru, and SCTIMST Thiruvananthapuram. The initiated counseling process is the critical final step for candidates to secure a seat based on their INI CET rank and preferences.
Introduction of Upper Age Limits
A noteworthy and impactful change has been introduced for the January 2026 session, specifically affecting two premier institutions. The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS) and the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) have, for the first time, implemented an upper age limit for admission to certain courses.
This marks a departure from the traditionally more flexible age criteria in PG medical admissions. While the exact age criteria are course-specific, this new rule explicitly renders candidates above the stipulated age ineligible for those particular programs. All candidates must scrutinize the official information bulletins of NIMHANS and SCTIMST immediately to confirm their eligibility before proceeding with choice filling.
Counselling Registration
For the 32,374 qualified candidates, navigating the counseling process accurately is paramount. Here are the essential steps:
Official Website Verification: Candidates must rely solely on the official AIIMS INI CET website (aiimsexams.ac.in) for all notifications, links, and updates. Avoid third-party sources for critical information.
Eligibility Review: Before choice filling, a thorough review of the updated prospectus and information bulletins of all participating institutes—especially NIMHANS and SCTIMST—is mandatory to avoid disqualification based on new age norms.
Informed Choice Filling: The seat allocation will be based on candidate rank, filled choices, seat availability, and institute-specific eligibility. Candidates should strategize their preferences for colleges and courses carefully, considering their rank and the new regulations.
Final Locking of Choices: The system provides a final opportunity to review and lock choices. Once locked, choices cannot be altered. Experts advise exercising utmost caution and double-checking all entries before final submission.
Schedule Adherence: The counseling will proceed through multiple rounds. Candidates must vigilantly monitor the official schedule for registration, choice filling, seat allotment result declaration, and acceptance deadlines.
Next Steps in the Admission Process
Following the conclusion of the registration and choice-filling phase, AIIMS will announce the first seat allotment results. Successful candidates must then accept the allocated seat and complete the required documentation and fee payment within the stipulated timeline to confirm their admission.
With the introduction of new eligibility criteria, candidates are urged to proceed with detailed research and precision to capitalize on this opportunity at India’s premier medical institutions.
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