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Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test

Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test Syllabus 2027

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Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test Syllabus

INI CET Syllabus 2026 Overview

The INI CET Syllabus 2026 is expected to follow the MBBS/BDS format, divided into Pre-clinical, Para-clinical, and Clinical subjects. The syllabus is expected to be the same as the previous year.

  • The INI CET 2026 Exam will include 200 objective-based questions, including single and multiple-correct answers.
  • Total marks are 200, with +1 mark for each correct answer and 1/3 mark deducted for incorrect answers.
  • The syllabus includes subjects like Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, and Forensic Medicine.

The exam is expected to be of moderate to high difficulty. Around 60 to 70% of questions come from clinical subjects, 20 to 25% from para-clinical, and 10 to 15% from pre-clinical subjects.

Candidates need conceptual clarity, case-solving ability, and time-management skills to score high in INI CET 2026.

What is the INI CET Syllabus 2026?

The INI CET Syllabus 2026 depends on the MBBS/BDS format of the Medical Council of India. It tests theoretical knowledge along with clinical application for all three subject groups: Pre-clinical, Para-clinical, and Clinical.

Through INI CET, candidates can get admission into AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, and other Institutes of National Importance.

INI CET 2026 Exam Details

Particulars Details
Courses Offered MD, MS, DM (6 years), MCh (6 years), and MDS
Exam Date (January 2026 Session) November 9, 2025 (Tentative as per latest schedule)
Exam Mode Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Exam Duration 3 hours (180 minutes)
Total Questions 200
Question Type Objective-type (Single-best and Multiple-correct answers)
Total Marks 800
Marking Scheme
  • +4 for each correct answer
  • -1 for each incorrect answer
  • 0 for unattempted
Language of Paper English only
Syllabus Basis MBBS/BDS curriculum — Pre-clinical, Para-clinical, and Clinical subjects
Major Subjects Covered Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Forensic Medicine, Medicine, Surgery, OBG, Paediatrics, and Community Medicine
Difficulty Level Moderate to Difficult (clinical questions have higher weightage)
Official Website www.aiimsexams.ac.in

INI CET vs NEET PG Difficulty

The INI CET by AIIMS is considered more difficult than NEET PG because it focuses on conceptual clarity, analytical reasoning, and case-based questions. Both exams have the same MBBS syllabus, but INI CET questions are more application-based.

INI CET Exam Pattern 2026

The INI CET 2026 exam pattern is expected to remain the same as the previous year. The exam will be held in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.

Exam Component Details
Conducting Body AIIMS, New Delhi
Exam Mode Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Total Questions 200
Question Type Single and Multiple Correct MCQs
Total Marks 200
Duration 3 Hours
Language English
Marking Scheme +1 for correct, -1/3 for incorrect, 0 for unattempted
Syllabus Base Entire MBBS Curriculum (Pre-, Para-, and Clinical)

INI CET vs NEET PG: Key Differences

INI CET and NEET PG are two separate postgraduate medical entrance exams. They differ in conducting body, question style, difficulty, and frequency.

Parameter INI CET NEET PG
Conducting Body AIIMS, New Delhi NBEMS
Exam Mode Computer-Based (CBT) Computer-Based (CBT)
Question Count 200 200
Question Type Conceptual, integrated, multiple correct answers possible Straightforward, single-best answer questions
Difficulty Level Highly analytical and clinical reasoning-based Moderate – fact and concept-based
Competition Level Very High (Top AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER) High (All India Medical Colleges)
Exam Frequency Twice a year (May & Nov) Once a year

INI CET Syllabus 2026: Subject-wise

The INI CET Syllabus 2026 is divided into Pre-clinical, Para-clinical, and Clinical subjects. Each subject will test candidates' conceptual clarity, diagnostic skills, and clinical reasoning.

INI CET Syllabus 2026 for Pre-Clinical Subjects

Anatomy Syllabus

The INI CET Anatomy syllabus will include the foundation of medical education, by testing the understanding of the human body's structure, organisation, organs and applied correlation in clinical practice.

Main Topics Key Subtopics Focus Areas
General Anatomy Cells, tissues, bones, muscles, joints Structure & functions of human body components
Gross Anatomy Head & neck, thorax, abdomen, upper/lower limbs Musculoskeletal landmarks and applied anatomy
Neuroanatomy Brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves Nervous system pathways and imaging correlations
Embryology & Histology Organ development, tissue structure Congenital anomalies, microscopic anatomy

Physiology Syllabus

The INI CET Physiology syllabus will focus on the normal functions of organs and systems. The INI CET Questions will assess the conceptual clarity and data interpretation.

Main Topics Key Subtopics Focus Areas
General Physiology Cell functions, homeostasis, and blood Basic functional mechanisms
Systemic Physiology CVS, renal, respiratory, GI, endocrine Organ-level regulation and feedback systems
Neurophysiology CNS, special senses Neural transmission and reflexes
Reproductive Physiology Male & female reproductive systems Hormonal regulation and fertilisation

Biochemistry Syllabus

This subject examines molecular mechanisms, enzymatic reactions, and metabolic processes essential for clinical interpretation.

Main Topics Key Subtopics Focus Areas
Biomolecules Proteins, lipids, carbohydrates Structure, function, and properties
Enzymes Kinetics, inhibition, regulation Diagnostic enzymes and clinical importance
Metabolism Glycolysis, TCA, urea, lipid metabolism Integration of energy cycles
Molecular Biology DNA, RNA, replication, protein synthesis Genetic code, mutations
Clinical Biochemistry Vitamins, hormones, disorders Laboratory values and deficiency syndromes

INI CET Syllabus 2026 for Para-Clinical Subjects

Pathology Syllabus

In INI CET Pathology will include basic science, clinical medicine, assessing the disease mechanism, histopathology and diagnostic relevance.

INI CET 2026 Syllabus for Pre-Clinical Subjects

Pathology Syllabus

The Pathology syllabus covers the mechanisms of disease, tissue repair, and organ-specific disorders. It also includes blood disorders and immune-mediated conditions.

Main Topics Key Subtopics Focus Areas
General Pathology Cell injury, inflammation, and neoplasia Mechanisms of disease and repair
Systemic Pathology CVS, renal, hepatic, and respiratory systems Organ-specific diseases
Hematology Anaemia, leukaemia, and coagulation Blood disorders and diagnostics
Immunopathology Hypersensitivity, autoimmunity Immune-mediated disorders

Microbiology Syllabus

The Microbiology syllabus tests the understanding of infectious agents, immunity, and diagnostic approaches. Applied infection control is a key emphasis.

Main Topics Key Subtopics Focus Areas
General Microbiology Bacteriology, virology, mycology Pathogen identification and culture methods
Immunology Antigens, antibodies, vaccines Immune response and hypersensitivity
Systemic Microbiology Respiratory, GI, CNS infections Disease mechanisms
Clinical Microbiology Lab diagnosis, sterilisation, AMR Infection control and resistance trends

Pharmacology Syllabus

The Pharmacology syllabus examines drug mechanisms, uses, and side effects. Treatment-related case studies are part of the assessment.

Main Topics Key Subtopics Focus Areas
General Pharmacology Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics Drug mechanisms and interactions
Systemic Pharmacology CNS, CVS, endocrine, antimicrobial Drug classes and MOA
Toxicology Poisons, antidotes Emergency management
Clinical Pharmacology Rational drug use, trials Pharmacovigilance and ADRs

Forensic Medicine Syllabus

The Forensic Medicine syllabus focuses on medico-legal aspects, post-mortem findings, and toxicology. It includes factual and scoring topics.

Main Topics Key Subtopics Focus Areas
Legal Medicine Medico-legal autopsy, consent Laws and ethics
Toxicology Poisons, chemical analysis Identification and management
Sexual Offences Examination, reporting Medical evidence and documentation
Identification Age, sex, and race estimation Forensic characteristics

INI CET Syllabus 2026 for Clinical Subjects

General Medicine Syllabus

The General Medicine syllabus includes a clinical section with the highest weightage. It evaluates clinical reasoning, diagnosis, and management.

Main Topics Key Subtopics Focus Areas
Cardiology MI, heart failure, arrhythmia ECG, drug management
Neurology Stroke, epilepsy, CNS infections Case diagnosis
Respiratory COPD, asthma, pneumonia Ventilation and ABG
Endocrinology Diabetes, thyroid disorders Hormonal regulation
Gastroenterology Hepatitis, IBD, ulcers GI bleeding, diagnostic clues

General Surgery Syllabus

The General Surgery syllabus tests clinical management, operative principles, and emergency care. The orientation is practical and applied.

Main Topics Key Subtopics Focus Areas
General Principles Shock, wound healing, infection control Fluid balance and resuscitation
GI Surgery Hernia, ulcer, appendicitis Surgical anatomy & complications
Orthopaedics Fractures, trauma Radiological diagnosis
Urology Stones, renal surgeries Case-based scenarios
Oncosurgery Tumours, biopsy Cancer staging and treatment basics

Obstetrics & Gynaecology Syllabus

The Obstetrics & Gynaecology syllabus includes questions on labour complications and fetal diseases. Graph-based questions from the partograph and CTG are also part of the exam.

Community medicine is integrated for topics like MTP and contraception.

INI CET 2026 Important Subjects

The INI CET 2026 important subjects are those that are consistently asked with a high number of questions, carrying a weightage of 60 to 65% of the exam. These subjects are grouped into Pre-Clinical, Para-Clinical, and Clinical categories.

Subject Group Subjects Included Importance Level Type of Questions Asked
Pre-Clinical Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry Moderate Conceptual and image-based
Para-Clinical Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Forensic Medicine High Mechanism-based and reasoning-based
Clinical Medicine, Surgery, OBG, Paediatrics, ENT, Ophthalmology, Community Medicine Very High Case-based and integrated questions

High-Weightage Subjects in INI CET 2026

High-weightage subjects are those that carry the most marks in the INI CET Exam. As per the previous year's analysis, Medicine (20%), Surgery (15%), and OBG (10%) have high weightage.

Subject Approx. Weightage (%) Expected No. of Questions (Out of 200) Nature of Questions
Medicine 20% 40 Clinical, integrated, case-based
Surgery 15% 30 Procedural, trauma, and oncology
Obstetrics & Gynaecology 10% 20 Pregnancy, reproductive health
Pathology 8% 16 Disease mechanisms, lab findings
Pharmacology 7% 14 Mechanism of action, side effects
Microbiology 5% 10 Infections, lab diagnosis
Community Medicine 5% 10 Epidemiology, biostatistics
Others (ENT, Paediatrics, Anatomy, etc.) 30% 60 One-liners and integrated topics

INI CET Syllabus 2026: Subject-Wise Weightage

The INI CET Exam tests candidates on Pre-Clinical, Para-Clinical, and Clinical subjects. Understanding the weightage helps candidates prioritise their preparation schedule.

  • Clinical subjects carry the majority of weightage, with 45 to 55% of questions; General Medicine, Surgery, and Obstetrics & Gynaecology are important.
  • Para-clinical subjects include 25 to 30% of the exam, with Pathology and Pharmacology required for a strong performance.
  • Pre-clinical subjects have a weightage of 15 to 22% of the exam; understanding Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry is crucial for foundational knowledge.

Obstetrics and Gynaecology Syllabus

The Obstetrics and Gynaecology syllabus covers pregnancy management, diagnosis, and treatment of reproductive health conditions. It also includes national family planning programs.

Main Topics Key Subtopics Focus Areas
Obstetrics Antenatal care, labour, and complications Pregnancy management
Gynaecology Menstrual disorders, infertility, tumours Diagnosis and treatment
Family Planning Contraceptives, sterilisation National programs
Recent Advances ART, fetal monitoring Technology and updates

Paediatrics Syllabus

In the Paediatrics syllabus, vaccination and milestone questions are frequently asked. Neonatal resuscitation and jaundice questions also appear often. It is an easy-to-revise and score section.

Main Topics Key Subtopics Focus Areas
Growth & Development Milestones, growth charts Normal vs. delayed growth
Neonatology Jaundice, prematurity Neonatal care and emergencies
Nutrition Malnutrition, supplements Feeding and deficiency disorders
Infectious Diseases Measles, pneumonia, meningitis Immunization schedule

Community Medicine Syllabus

The Community Medicine syllabus includes statistics and health programs. Case study-based questions are asked along with epidemiology models.

Main Topics Key Subtopics Focus Areas
Epidemiology Study designs, bias, biostatistics Data interpretation
Health Programs National health schemes Program-based factual questions
Environmental Health Water, sanitation, pollution Preventive strategies
Health Management Indicators, screening methods Policy and planning

INI CET 2026 Subject-Wise Weightage and Question Distribution

The INI CET 2026 exam has a total of 200 questions. The questions are divided across three subject groups: Pre-Clinical, Para-Clinical, and Clinical.

Category Subjects Expected Questions Approximate Weightage
Pre-Clinical Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry 30–45 15–22%
Para-Clinical Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Forensic Medicine, Community Medicine 50–60 25–30%
Clinical General Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics, ENT, Ophthalmology, etc. 90–110 45–55%
Total All Subjects 200 100%

Important Subjects for INI CET 2026

The important subjects for INI CET are those with high weightage and frequent questions in the exam. Based on the previous year's paper, Medicine, Surgery, Pathology, Pharmacology, and Obstetrics & Gynaecology are the most important subjects.

Subject Group Key Subjects Importance Level Question Type Focus
Pre-Clinical Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry Moderate Conceptual & Image-based
Para-Clinical Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Forensic Medicine High Mechanism-based, diagnostic
Clinical Medicine, Surgery, OBG, Paediatrics, ENT, Ophthalmology Very High Case-based, integrated questions

High-Weightage Subjects in INI CET 2026

Clinical subjects carry the highest weightage in INI CET at 65 to 70%. Para-clinical subjects have 20 to 25% weightage, and pre-clinical subjects have 10 to 15% weightage.

Subject Approx. Weightage (%) Nature of Questions Expected No. of Questions (Out of 200)
Medicine 20% Clinical scenarios, diagnosis 40
Surgery 15% Trauma, oncology, general surgery 30
OBG 10% Reproductive physiology, procedures 20
Pathology 8% Disease mechanisms, histopathology 16
Pharmacology 7% Drug actions, mechanisms 14
Microbiology 5% Infection, lab diagnosis 10
Others (ENT, Paediatrics, Anatomy, etc.) 35% Integrated case questions 70

Seats in INI CET 2026

INI CET 2026 will have a total of 1300 to 1400 PG seats across 20+ INIs, including AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, and NIMHANS. The total seat number can vary with each session, depending on seat intake and approvals.

Institute Approx. Seats Offered Popular Branches
AIIMS New Delhi 250+ Medicine, Radiology, OBG, Surgery
JIPMER Puducherry 150+ Medicine, Anaesthesia, Paediatrics
PGIMER Chandigarh 200+ Surgery, ENT, Ophthalmology
AIIMS Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Rishikesh, Raipur, Jodhpur (Combined) 500+ Pathology, Orthopaedics, Community Medicine
NIMHANS Bengaluru 60+ Psychiatry, Neurology, Neurosurgery

INI CET 2026 Syllabus: Recommended Books

Preparation for the INI CET syllabus requires a combination of core MBBS textbooks for conceptual clarity and MCQ question banks for exam-based practice.

Recommended Books for INI CET 2026

Core MBBS textbooks form the base for understanding concepts. MCQ practice books help with exam pattern familiarity and speed.

INI CET Preparation Strategy

INI CET covers 19 subjects from the MBBS syllabus, and the exam contains 200 questions.

Preparation of 6 to 8 months is generally required, based on previous year trends. Conceptual clarity, integrated learning, and mock tests are essential parts of the preparation.

Key Preparation Points

  • Mock tests and time management can improve accuracy by around 70 to 75%, which supports strong exam performance.
  • High-weightage subjects such as Medicine, Surgery, and OBG should be prioritised, as they contribute to around 50% of the exam.

Recommended Books for INI CET

Choosing the right books is important for INI CET preparation, as the exam demands conceptual clarity and application of knowledge.

The table below lists standard textbooks and PG-level preparation books by subject.

Subject Recommended Standard Textbooks PG-Level Preparation Books Why These Help
Anatomy BD Chaurasia, Vishram Singh Arvind Arora (AA) Notes Clear 3D concepts and image-based practice
Physiology Guyton & Hall, Ganong Dr Soumen Manna Notes Builds physiology-based clinical reasoning
Biochemistry Harper’s Illustrated, Satyanarayana Rebecca James Book Concept clarity and pathway-based recall
Pathology Robbins & Cotran Sparsh Gupta Notes High-yield histopathology and reasoning
Pharmacology KD Tripathi Ranjan Kumar Patel Mechanism-based learning and MCQ recall
Microbiology Ananthanarayan & Paniker Apurba Sastry Focused on infection and lab correlations
Medicine Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine Deepak Marwah, Mudit Khanna Clinical scenario practice
Surgery SRB’s Manual, Bailey & Love Pritesh Singh Review Case-based and procedural learning
OBG DC Dutta, Shaw’s Textbook Sakshi Arora Notes Quick revision and case handling
Community Medicine Park’s Textbook Vivek Jain Review Epidemiology and preventive medicine focus

Subject-Wise Standard Books for INI CET

The following table lists standard textbooks for each subject, along with their purpose and focus areas.

Subject Recommended Books Purpose / Focus
Anatomy Grey’s Anatomy, B.D. Chaurasia’s Human Anatomy Detailed concepts, diagrams, and applied anatomy
Physiology Guyton & Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology, Ganong’s Review Conceptual understanding, high-yield mechanisms
Biochemistry Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry, Lippincott’s Biochemistry Metabolic pathways, clinical correlations
Pathology Robbins & Cotran Pathology, Harsh Mohan Systemic and general pathology, histology slides
Microbiology Ananthanarayan & Paniker, Jawetz, Melnick & Adelberg Bacteriology, virology, immunology, clinical cases
Pharmacology Katzung’s Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, Rang & Dale Mechanisms of drugs, side effects, and toxicology
Forensic Medicine Reddy & Murthy, K.S. N. Pillai Toxicology, medico-legal cases, law-based questions
Medicine Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, API Textbook Case-based reasoning, systemic disorders
Surgery Bailey & Love’s Short Practice of Surgery, Schwartz Surgical principles, trauma, and operative management
OBG D.C. Dutta, Textbook of Obstetrics & Gynaecology Labour, complications, clinical cases
Paediatrics Nelson Textbook of Paediatrics Growth, nutrition, pediatric disorders, vaccines
Community Medicine Park’s Textbook of Preventive & Social Medicine Epidemiology, national programs, biostatistics

How to Prepare for INI CET in 1 Month

A proper, intensive, and smart preparation plan is required to prepare for INI CET in 1 month. The plan should focus on high-weightage topics, previous year questions, and notes.

The table below outlines a week-wise preparation schedule.

Week Key Focus Areas Subjects to Prioritise Recommended Tasks
Week 1 Core Clinical Revision Medicine, Surgery, OBG Revise notes, focus on integrated topics, attempt 2 mocks
Week 2 Para-Clinical Strengthening Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology Practice MCQs, review mechanisms and charts
Week 3 Short Subjects + Pre-Clinical ENT, Ophthalmology, Anatomy, Physiology Quick 1-liners and image-based recall
Week 4 Full-Length Revision All 19 Subjects Attempt daily full mocks, analyse errors, and focus on weak areas

INI CET 2026 Toppers' Preparation Strategy

Toppers of INI CET typically study for 8–10 hours per day. The focus is on quality over quantity, with 4 hours for concepts and 4 hours for practice.

  • Mock Tests Attempted: 30–40 full mocks are taken. Each mock is analysed for mistakes, and accuracy improvement is tracked.
  • Revision Rounds: 2–3 complete revisions are done. The final 15 days are reserved for high-yield notes and clinical correlations.
  • High-Yield Subjects: Medicine carries 20% weightage, Surgery 15%, and Pathology 10%. Preparation should be prioritised based on this weightage.

FAQs for INI CET Syllabus 2026

Has the NEET 2026 Syllabus Changed?

As per the latest updates, the NEET 2026 Syllabus is expected to be the same and follow the pattern of the NCERT Class 11 and 12 syllabus of Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

Exam Year Syllabus Base Change Status Conducting Body
NEET 2026 NCERT Class 11–12 No change NTA

What is the INI CET Exam Syllabus?

The INI CET Syllabus is based on the entire MBBS format, which covers pre-clinical, para-clinical and clinical subjects.

Section Subjects Included Approx. Weightage
Pre-clinical Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry 15%
Para-clinical Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Forensic Medicine 25%
Clinical Medicine, Surgery, OBG, Paediatrics, Ophthalmology, ENT, Community Medicine 60%

Is it hard to crack INI CET?

Yes, the INI CET Exam is hard to crack as the seats are limited and the competition is high.

  • Only around 1,400 seats for more than 70,000 candidates.
  • High conceptual depth is required.
  • Consistent revision of MBBS subjects is important.

How many people gave the INI CET in 2026?

Around 70,000 candidates have appeared in INI CET 2026 and will compete for 1,400 MD/MS seats.

Exam Year Total Applicants Appeared Candidates Attendance %
2026 (Expected) ~75,000 ~70,000 ~93%
2025 72,000 67,000 93%

How many seats are in INI CET 2026?

The INI CET is expected to have around 1300 to 1400 PG seats in AIIMS, JIPMER and NIMHANS campuses. The seat distribution will differ according to the session.

INI CET Seat Distribution Across Participating Institutes

The Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test (INI CET) offers approximately 1300–1400 MD/MS/MDS seats across 20+ Institutes of National Importance (INIs).

The table below shows the seat distribution and major courses offered at each participating institute.

Institute Approx. Seats Offered Major Courses Offered
AIIMS New Delhi 250+ Medicine, Radiology, Surgery, OBG
JIPMER Puducherry 150+ Medicine, Anaesthesia, Paediatrics
PGIMER Chandigarh 200+ Surgery, ENT, Ophthalmology
AIIMS (Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Raipur, Rishikesh, Jodhpur – Combined) 500+ Orthopaedics, Pathology, Community Medicine
NIMHANS Bengaluru 60+ Psychiatry, Neurology, Neurosurgery
Total (Approx.) 1300–1400 MD/MS/MDS courses across 20+ INIs

INI CET Exam Syllabus

The INI CET syllabus is based on the entire MBBS format, covering pre-clinical, para-clinical and clinical subjects.

The syllabus follows the NCERT Class 11 and 12 pattern for Physics, Chemistry and Biology, with no change expected for the upcoming exam year.

Section Subjects Included Approx. Weightage
Pre-clinical Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry 15%
Para-clinical Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Forensic Medicine 25%
Clinical Medicine, Surgery, OBG, Paediatrics, Ophthalmology, ENT, Community Medicine 60%

Difficulty Level of INI CET

INI CET is hard to crack because seats are limited and competition is high.

Only around 1,400 seats are available for more than 70,000 candidates. High conceptual depth is required, and consistent revision of MBBS subjects is important.

INI CET 2026 Candidate Statistics

Around 70,000 candidates appeared in INI CET 2026 and competed for 1,400 MD/MS seats.

Exam Year Total Applicants Appeared Candidates Attendance %
2026 (Expected) ~75,000 ~70,000
2025 72,000 67,000

The attendance percentage for both years was approximately 93%.