INI CET Exam Date 2026 Announced: Check January & July Session Schedule

The INI CET Exam Date 2026 has been officially announced, bringing clarity to medical aspirants seeking postgraduate admission into prestigious Institute of National Importance (INI) colleges across India. The Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test (INI CET) 2026 is a national-level entrance examination conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for admission into various MD, MS, DM (6 yrs), MCh (6 yrs), and MDS programs. 

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With the exam now held twice a year in the January session and the July session candidates have two chances in a calendar year to secure merit-based entry into top medical institutions. The INI CET 2026 exam dates for both the January and July sessions have been released, and aspirants must stay updated on related schedules such as registration timelines, admit card releases, exam dates, results, and counselling. 

Being aware of the complete INI CET 2026 exam schedule is crucial to planning a focused preparation strategy for this highly competitive medical entrance. Below is the detailed overview of exam dates, eligibility, pattern, counselling, and other essential information to guide your preparation and ensure all important deadlines are met.

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Overview: INI CET 2026 

INI CET 2026 Exam Dates

The INI CET 2026 exam schedule has been officially released for both the January and the July sessions. The entrance exam is held online and conducted in two major sessions every year, giving candidates an opportunity to attempt the test earlier in the year or later depending on their preparation level.

INI CET 2026 Timeline (January Session)

INI CET 2026 Timeline (July Session)

The schedule above highlights all major dates for the INI CET 2026 exam, helping candidates plan their activities such as application submission, preparation, and revision efficiently.

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INI CET 2026 Application Form

The INI CET 2026 application form is released separately for the January and July sessions. Registration for the January 2026 session began on 30th September 2025, while the application window for the July session opened in March 2026. Aspirants must ensure they meet the eligibility criteria before filling out the online form. During registration, candidates must enter personal and educational details, upload a recent passport-size photograph and signature as per specifications, and pay the requisite application fee.

The application fee differs based on category, with standard charges for General/OBC/Foreign/OCI candidates and reduced fees for SC/ST/EWS applicants. PwD candidates may have a fee exemption in some cases. Once the form is submitted and payment is made, candidates must keep a printout of the confirmation for future use in admit card download and counselling.

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INI CET 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Candidates planning to appear for INI CET 2026 must satisfy specific eligibility requirements. These include:

• Nationality: Indian nationals, OCI/PIO candidates, and eligible foreign nationals.
  
• Qualification: MBBS degree for MD, MS, DM/MCh courses and BDS degree for MDS programs from a university recognized by the National Medical Commission (NMC) or equivalent authority.
  
• Internship: Completion of a 12-month rotating internship or practical training by 31st January 2026.
  
• Minimum Marks: At least 55% for general category and 50% for reserved categories in the qualifying examination.

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Applicants who do not fulfill these criteria may be disqualified during the document verification stage.

INI CET 2026 Admit Card

The INI CET 2026 admit card is released separately for each session a few weeks before the exam date. For the January 2026 session, admit cards were made available from 1st November 2025, and for the July session, it was released in May 2026. Registered candidates must use their login credentials to download the hall ticket. It includes essential details such as exam date, exam centre, candidate’s name, roll number, and important instructions. A printed copy of the admit card along with a valid photo ID proof is mandatory to be carried to the exam centre.

INI CET 2026 Exam Pattern

Understanding the INI CET exam pattern 2026 is critical for effective preparation:

• Exam Mode: Online (Computer-Based Test)
  
• Duration: 3 hours
  
• Number of Questions: 200 Multiple Choice Questions
  
• Sections: Pre-Clinical, Para-Clinical, and Clinical subjects
  
• Marking Scheme: +1 mark for each correct answer
  
• Negative Marking: 1/3 mark deducted for each incorrect response

The pattern tests comprehensive medical knowledge across all major aspects of the MBBS curriculum, ensuring that only the most prepared candidates secure admission.

INI CET 2026 Result and Counselling

After the examination, the INI CET 2026 result is declared online by AIIMS for both sessions, on 15th November 2025 for the January session and 23rd May 2026 for the July session. The result includes the candidate’s marks and rank, which are used to shortlist students for counselling.

The INI CET counselling process begins soon after result declaration. Shortlisted candidates must register for counselling, participate in choice filling, document verification, fee submission, and seat allotment. Admissions are granted based on performance, preferences, and availability of seats across participating INI institutes.

FAQs on INI CET 2026