INI CET Counselling 2026 for the January batch is expected to start in December 2025 once the INI CET results for November session is announced on Dec 19, 2025. The Final admission and reporting is expected to be conducted in Feb 2026 after both the seat allotment process is concluded.
One of the most important phases for applicants hoping to gain admission to postgraduate medical programs like MD, MS, DM (6 years), MCh (6 years), and MDS across India's top medical schools is the INI CET Counseling 2026. This counselling method, which is run by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, guarantees that seats are given to eligible applicants according to their INI CET 2026 rank, category, and preference.
Understanding the counseling timetable, seat allocation procedure, and document verification stages becomes crucial because INI CET serves as the entry point to prestigious institutions like AIIMS, JIPMER Puducherry, PGIMER Chandigarh, and NIMHANS Bengaluru. A comprehensive guide to INI CET Counseling 2026 is given in this article, which covers eligibility, registration, the steps required, crucial dates, and seat matrix details.
INI CET Counselling 2026 Key Highlights
The entrance exam for India's best medical schools, such as AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, and NIMHANS, is the INI CET Counseling 2026. Important information including the conducting body, available courses, and counseling procedure are highlighted in this section.
| Particulars | Details |
| Conducting Authority | AIIMS, New Delhi |
| Courses Offered | MD, MS, DM (6 years), MCh (6 years), MDS |
| Mode of Counselling | Online |
| Seat Allotment | Based on merit, preferences, and seat availability |
| Institutes Participating |
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INI CET Counselling 2026 Dates
The counselling for INI CET 2026 usually begins after the declaration of results. Below is the tentative schedule:
| Particulars | Details |
| Result Declaration | Dec 19, 2025 |
| Counselling Registration Begins | December 2025 |
| Choice Filling & Locking | December 2025 |
| Round 1 Seat Allotment | December 2025 – January 2026 |
| Round 2 Seat Allotment | January 2026 |
| Open Round Counselling (if required) | February 2026 |
| Final Admission & Reporting | February 2026 |
Eligibility Criteria for INI CET Counselling 2026
Candidates must meet the qualifying standards listed below in order to take part in the counseling:
- Qualification: A valid percentile score based on the category cut-off is required for INI CET 2026 qualification.
- Internship: Before July 31, 2026, a mandatory one-year rotational internship must be completed.
- Registration: A current MBBS or BDS degree that has been approved by the State Medical/Dental Council or MCI/DCI.
- Minimum Scores: SC/ST/PwBD candidates must score in the 45th percentile, whereas General/OBC/EWS candidates must score at least in the 50th percentile.
Step-by-Step INI CET Counselling Process
There are several phases to the counseling process, which is all done online. Here is a thorough, step-by-step breakdown:
- Online Registration
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- Applicants must go to the official AIIMS counseling website.
- Enter information about yourself, your academic background, and your INI CET roll number.
- If there is a registration charge, pay it.
- Choice Filling and Locking
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- Depending on their preferences, candidates can choose from a variety of institutions and specialties.
- Changes made after the deadline are not permitted, thus preferences must be sealed within the allotted period.
- Seat Assignment Process
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- Based on the candidate's preferences, INI CET rank, and seat availability, AIIMS provides the seat allocation list.
- Candidates can get their allotment letter and view the online results of the allocation.
- Seat Acceptance or Refusal
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- Candidates can choose to upgrade their seat in the following round, accept the seat, or decline.
- Acceptees are required to pay the admission fee and go through the document verification process.
- Reporting and Document Verification
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- Candidates who make the short list are required to report to the designated institution (either in person or online, as announced).
- Original documentation must be submitted for final confirmation.
- Open Round Counselling (if applicable)
- An open round is held if there are still seats available after the first two rounds.
- Depending on how many spots are available, new registrations might be accepted.
Documents Required for INI CET Counselling 2026
Candidates must keep the following documents ready for verification:
- INI CET 2026 Admit Card
- INI CET 2026 Result/Rank Card
- MBBS/BDS Degree Certificate
- Mark Sheets of MBBS/BDS (all years)
- Internship Completion Certificate (before July 31, 2026)
- Registration Certificate from MCI/DCI or State Medical/Dental Council
- Category Certificate (if applicable) – SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD
- Identity Proof (Aadhar Card/Passport/Voter ID)
- Passport-size photographs
- Seat allotment letter
Reservation Policy in INI CET Counselling 2026
Reservation is applicable as per Government of India rules and AIIMS policies:
- SC: 15%
- ST: 7.5%
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 27%
- EWS: 10%
- PwBD: 5% horizontal reservation across categories
This ensures fair distribution of seats and equal opportunities for candidates from different backgrounds.
Important Tips for INI CET Counselling 2026
- Keep Documents Ready: Verify that all certificates, particularly those for internships and registration, are current.
- Fill Choices Wisely: Give serious consideration to branches and institutes since greater preferences are taken into account first.
- Stay Up to Date: Check the AIIMS counseling portal frequently for deadlines and announcements.
- Be Ready for Multiple Rounds: You may be eligible for a seat upgrade in later rounds, so make appropriate plans.
- Verify Your Seat on Time: If you fail to report or pay the charge on time, your reservation may be canceled.
Conclusion
Medical students can obtain admission to prominent universities like as AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, and NIMHANS by taking the INI CET Counseling 2026. Candidates can avoid missing important phases by having a thorough awareness of the counseling process, from registration to seat assignment. To increase their chances of admission, candidates must carefully fill out their preferences, keep all of their documentation on hand, and remain up to date on official notifications. Candidates can effectively land a spot in their desired specialization at India's best medical schools with careful preparation and prompt effort.