AIIMS Delhi has opened registrations for the Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test (INI CET) January 2026 counselling session. This examination is a gateway for postgraduate medical admissions to premier institutions in India. A total of 32,374 candidates who qualified the INI CET exam are eligible to participate in this selection process.
Candidates from OBC and EWS categories who ranked below the unreserved (UR) cut-off and lack a valid category certificate cannot participate in the January 2026 counselling. A valid certificate is mandatory for category-specific eligibility.
The counselling process fills postgraduate (PG) seats in MD, MS, 6-year DM and MCH, and MDS courses. These courses lead to specialized medical qualifications. Admissions are offered across various Institutes of National Importance (INIs), including multiple AIIMS institutes, JIPMER Puducherry, NIMHANS Bengaluru, PGIMER Chandigarh, and SCTIMST Trivandrum.
AIIMS New Delhi and other AIIMS institutes, along with JIPMER Puducherry, will allocate seats using a dynamic roster point system. This system ensures fair distribution, but specific details will be announced separately. NIMHANS Bengaluru, PGIMER Chandigarh, and SCTIMST Trivandrum have no seats available for direct institute preference during this counselling round.
A previous report highlighted challenges in seat allocation. Last year, 160 postgraduate seats remained unfilled after the counselling rounds. An RTI response later confirmed 48 of these seats were officially vacant across various AIIMS institutes and JIPMER Puducherry, indicating an issue with filling all available positions.
INI CET 2026 Counselling: Upper Age Limits
NIMHANS Bengaluru and SCTIMST Trivandrum have set specific upper age limits for candidates seeking admission to their postgraduate medical courses. These limits vary by course and category, with age calculated as of January 1, 2026 . Candidates must meet these criteria to be considered for admission at these institutions.
NIMHANS Bengaluru Age Limits
| Course/Category | Upper Age Limit (as of Jan 1, 2026) | Eligible if Born On or After |
|---|---|---|
| MD Psychiatry (General/Unreserved) | 32 years | 01.01.1994 |
| MD Psychiatry (OBC) | 35 years | 01.01.1991 |
| MD Psychiatry (SC/ST/PWBD) | 37 years | 01.01.1989 |
| MD Psychiatry (Sponsored) | 45 years | 01.01.1981 |
| DM (Neurology), MCh Neurosurgery (Post MBBS), MD Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation | 32 years | 01.01.1994 |
SCTIMST Trivandrum Age Limits
| Category | Upper Age Limit (as of Jan 1, 2026) | Eligible if Born On or After |
|---|---|---|
| General/Unreserved/EWS/Foreign National | 40 years | 01.01.1986 |
| SC/ST/Ex-service personnel/PwBD | 45 years | 01.01.1981 |
| OBC | 43 years | 01.01.1983 |
| Sponsored | 50 years | 01.01.1976 |
INI CET January 2026 Counselling Schedule
The counselling process involves several steps where qualified candidates select their preferred institutes and courses. A mock round allows candidates to understand the system and anticipate potential seat allocations before the actual rounds begin. Candidates must strictly adhere to the following dates for exercising choices, accepting seats, and submitting documents for the INI CET January 2026 admissions.
Mock Round Schedule
| Activity | Dates |
|---|---|
| Exercising Choices (Institute & Subject/Speciality) | December 6 to 9 (up to 5 PM) |
| Announcement of Seat Allocation (Mock Round) | December 11 |
Round 1 Schedule
| Activity | Dates |
|---|---|
| Exercising Choices (Institute & Subject/Speciality) | December 12 to 13 |
| Announcement of Seat Allocation (Round 1) | December 18 |
| Online Acceptance of Allocated Seat | December 19 to 24 (up to 5 PM) |
| Reporting & Document/Security Deposit Submission | December 19 to 24 (up to 5 PM) |
Round 2 Schedule
| Activity | Dates |
|---|---|
| Announcement of Seat Allocation (Round 2) | January 9 |
| Online Acceptance of Allocated Seat | January 10 (11 AM) to January 15 (5 PM) |
| Reporting & Document/Security Deposit Submission | January 10 (11 AM) to January 15 (5 PM) |