INI-CET Cutoff, Seat Matrix & Counselling: How It Works | NEETPGAI
INI CET cutoffINI CET seat matrixINI CET counsellingINI CET qualifying percentileINI CET seats AIIMS PGIMERINI CET result process
INI-CET Cutoff, Seat Matrix & Counselling: How It Works
How INI-CET cutoffs, merit lists, seat matrices, and counselling rounds work for AIIMS, PGIMER, JIPMER, NIMHANS & SCTIMST — and what happens after you qualify.
NEETPGAI EditorialPublished 19 Jun 202619 min read
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Understanding INI-CET cutoffs, seat matrices, and counselling requires knowing three distinct things:
The cutoff is a qualifying percentile, not a marks threshold. INI-CET eligibility for counselling is determined by category-wise qualifying percentiles (commonly cited as 50th percentile for General, with lower thresholds for reserved categories) — verify the exact figure in the current AIIMS INI-CET prospectus, as it is revised each cycle.
Your rank within the merit list is what wins you a seat. Meeting the cutoff makes you eligible; where you rank among eligible candidates in your category determines which institute and branch you can actually claim.
INI-CET counselling is entirely separate from MCC/NEET PG counselling. AIIMS New Delhi runs it independently, and if you are attempting both exams, you must participate in both counselling processes on separate timelines.
The participating institutes are all AIIMS campuses, PGIMER Chandigarh, JIPMER Puducherry, NIMHANS Bengaluru, and SCTIMST Thiruvananthapuram. SGPGIMS Lucknow is not part of INI-CET — it runs its own entrance. For seat counts and closing ranks by institute and course, always consult the current cycle's official seat matrix; those numbers change every session and no secondary source can substitute for the prospectus.
What "cutoff" means in INI-CET — and what it does not mean
The INI-CET cutoff is a category-wise qualifying percentile, not a fixed marks score or a closing rank. This distinction matters because many aspirants conflate "cutoff" with the closing rank — the last rank at which a seat was allotted in a particular institute and course — and end up planning against the wrong number.
AIIMS New Delhi publishes category-wise qualifying percentiles to determine who is counselling-eligible after each INI-CET session. Candidates who score at or above the qualifying percentile for their category are deemed eligible to participate in counselling; those who fall below are not — regardless of how many seats remain unfilled. The commonly cited benchmark is the 50th percentile for General category, with lower thresholds for OBC, SC, ST, and EWS candidates. However, these thresholds are reviewed each cycle and may be revised, so you must verify the exact percentiles in the official AIIMS INI-CET prospectus for your specific session rather than relying on figures from prior years.
What makes INI-CET different from a marks-based cutoff is that meeting the qualifying percentile only gets you into the counselling pool — it does not guarantee a seat. Seats are allotted in merit-list rank order within each category, so the real question a serious aspirant asks is not "will I cross the cutoff?" but "how high a rank can I secure?" The qualifying percentile is a floor; the rank above it is the lever.
How the INI-CET merit list is built
After each session, AIIMS New Delhi publishes a category-wise merit list of all candidates who met the qualifying percentile for their category. The list is ranked by each candidate's final raw score — the sum of correct-answer marks (+1 per correct) minus the fractional negative-marking deductions (−1/3 per wrong answer for MD/MS; −1/5 for MDS) — across all 200 questions.
In the event of a tie at the same score, AIIMS applies a defined tie-breaking criterion. Historically this has been age-based (older candidate ranked higher), but the exact rule is stated in each session's prospectus and should be confirmed there. The published merit list is what drives every round of counselling — there is no separate evaluation, no interview, and no institutional discretion in the allotment process. Your rank on that list, relative to the number of seats in your category across the participating institutes, is the only number that determines your outcome.
Because the margin between a life-changing rank and a near-miss can be a fraction of a mark, the fractional negative marking (−1/3) is not academic precision — it is the mechanism that separates candidates at the very top. The candidates who close strong INI-CET ranks treat every mark as real. For a full breakdown of the marking maths and guessing strategy, see the INI-CET exam pattern, marking scheme, and syllabus guide.
The participating institutes and what INI-CET unlocks
INI-CET is the single entrance that opens the doors to India's premier government postgraduate medical institutions — the Institutes of National Importance. A strong INI-CET rank gives you access to MD, MS, direct six-year DM, direct six-year MCh, and MDS seats across this network.
The confirmed participating institutes are:
AIIMS New Delhi — the flagship, and the most sought-after destination in Indian medicine
Other AIIMS campuses — the network of newer AIIMS institutions spread across the country
PGIMER Chandigarh — one of India's oldest and most respected PG medical institutes
JIPMER Puducherry — a premier autonomous institute with a strong clinical training reputation
NIMHANS Bengaluru — India's national centre for mental health and neurosciences
SCTIMST Thiruvananthapuram — the national institute for advanced medical, surgical, and technology-based sciences
One important clarification: SGPGIMS Lucknow (Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences) is NOT an INI-CET institute. It conducts its own independent entrance examination. If SGPGI is on your target list, it requires a completely separate preparation and application track. The confusion arises because SGPGI is a premier institute, but its admissions are not part of the AIIMS-run INI-CET system.
The seat matrix — the number of MD, MS, DM, MCh, and MDS seats available at each institute, broken down by specialty and category — is published by AIIMS New Delhi in the official prospectus for each session. Seat counts change every cycle as institutes modify or add programmes, so always verify from the current prospectus rather than from prior-year data.
How INI-CET counselling works
INI-CET counselling is conducted online by AIIMS New Delhi, entirely independently of the MCC (Medical Counselling Committee) process used for NEET PG. If you are attempting both exams, you must apply and participate in both counselling processes on their own timelines — they do not overlap.
The broad counselling sequence runs as follows, though exact steps and rules are specified for each session in the counselling notification:
Step 1 — Result and merit list publication. After the exam, AIIMS publishes the results and the category-wise merit list. Candidates who have met the qualifying percentile are counselling-eligible.
Step 2 — Counselling registration. Eligible candidates register for counselling on the designated portal within the stated window, paying the required registration/security deposit as applicable.
Step 3 — Choice filling and locking. Registered candidates fill in their preference list — combinations of institute and specialty, ordered by priority. This is the most consequential decision of the counselling process; candidates must think carefully about both institute rank and specialty fit before locking their choices.
Step 4 — Seat allotment. AIIMS runs the allotment algorithm against the filled merit list and seat matrix. Seats are allotted in rank order within each category, matching candidates to their highest available preference.
Step 5 — Upgrade and mop-up rounds. Seats that remain vacant after the initial allotment round are offered in subsequent rounds. Candidates allotted a seat in an earlier round may be eligible to participate in an upgrade round to move to a higher-preference choice, subject to the rules stated in the counselling notification. The number of rounds, and whether earlier allotments must be surrendered to participate in an upgrade, vary by session.
Step 6 — Reporting and joining. Allotted candidates must report to their institute within the stated deadline carrying all required original documents. Missing the reporting deadline forfeits the seat.
Seat matrix — how to read it and what to watch for
The INI-CET seat matrix is a document published by AIIMS New Delhi that lists every seat available in the current session: institute by institute, course by course (MD/MS/DM/MCh/MDS), and category by category (General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, and sub-categories for persons with disabilities and other reservations). It is the definitive document for understanding supply before counselling.
Three things about the seat matrix are important for planning:
It changes every session. Institutes add, modify, or occasionally withdraw programmes. A seat that was available in a prior cycle at a specific institute in a specific specialty may not exist in the current one, or vice versa. Never plan counselling choices based on a prior year's matrix.
Closing ranks are derived from it but are not in it. The seat matrix tells you how many seats exist. The closing rank — the last rank at which a seat was filled — is only known after the allotment is done and published. Historical closing ranks give you a rough sense of competition, but they fluctuate with the size and strength of the merit list each session, so treat them as orientation, not guarantees.
Super-specialty direct seats (DM/MCh) are separate from MD/MS. INI-CET uniquely offers direct six-year DM and MCh programmes entered straight from MBBS — a pathway that does not exist in the NEET PG system. These seats are limited, highly competitive, and listed separately in the matrix. If your goal is direct DM/MCh rather than an MD/MS, confirm that your target institute and specialty have direct seats before building your preference list around them.
Category-wise qualifying percentiles — what is known and what to verify
INI-CET uses category-wise qualifying percentiles to set the eligibility floor for counselling. The thresholds that have been commonly cited across recent cycles are:
General (UR): 50th percentile
OBC: typically lower than General (exact figure: verify in prospectus)
SC / ST: typically lower still (exact figure: verify in prospectus)
EWS: verify in prospectus
These figures are directionally consistent with what AIIMS has published in recent years, but they are reviewed and may be revised for any given session. The percentile is computed from the score distribution of candidates who appeared in that session — it is not a raw marks number fixed in advance — which means the absolute score required to meet the 50th percentile shifts slightly with the difficulty of each paper and the performance of the cohort.
The practical implication is that targeting "just above the cutoff" is a losing strategy for anyone serious about an INI seat. The cutoff is a filter, not a target. At the major INIs — particularly AIIMS New Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh, and JIPMER Puducherry — the competition for coveted specialties concentrates at ranks far above the qualifying threshold, so aspirants who are genuinely targeting these institutions should prepare for a rank in the top tier of the eligible pool, not merely for eligibility.
Always verify the exact qualifying percentiles for your category and session in the official AIIMS INI-CET prospectus before assuming eligibility. This article summarises what is commonly cited for orientation, not a substitute for the official source.
INI-CET counselling vs MCC counselling — key differences
One of the most practically important facts about INI-CET is that its counselling is entirely distinct from the MCC-run NEET PG counselling. The two systems do not interact, and participation in one does not affect or overlap with the other.
Feature
INI-CET counselling
NEET PG MCC counselling
Conducting body
AIIMS New Delhi
Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), DGHS
Exam it follows
INI-CET
NEET PG
Institutes covered
AIIMS, PGIMER, JIPMER, NIMHANS, SCTIMST
Government and deemed medical colleges across India
Process
Independent online counselling via AIIMS portal
Multi-round online counselling via MCC portal
Seat pool
INI-only seats
Central and state pools excluding INIs
Interaction
No overlap with NEET PG MCC
No overlap with INI-CET
For an aspirant attempting both exams, this means two separate application tracks, two separate counselling registrations, two separate preference lists, and two separate reporting deadlines — all running on their own timelines. It is common for the timelines to partially overlap, so candidates who receive allotments in both systems need to make an active choice about which to accept. The official notifications for each session specify the deadlines and the consequences of holding or forgoing an allotment.
Choosing between institute and branch in your preference list
The choice between prioritising institute vs specialty is the most consequential decision in INI-CET counselling, and there is no universally correct answer — it depends on your career goals, your rank, and the seat availability in the current cycle's matrix.
Two broad orientations exist among successful INI-CET candidates:
Institute-first approach. A candidate who prioritises training environment, research infrastructure, faculty depth, and institutional reputation — and who is flexible on specialty within a broad clinical domain — fills preferences with their target institute across multiple acceptable specialties. This is a common choice for those whose primary goal is AIIMS New Delhi or PGIMER Chandigarh as a training brand, accepting whichever specialty opens up at their rank.
Branch-first approach. A candidate who has a defined specialty goal — Cardiology, Neurosurgery, Neuroradiology — prioritises that specialty across multiple institutes. If the direct DM or MCh seat in a specific superspecialty is the objective, this preference structure follows directly from that goal, even if it means accepting a lower-ranked institute.
Because closing ranks shift every session, there is genuine value in thinking through your preference list thoroughly before locking it — mapping your likely rank range against historical data for your target institute-specialty combinations while accounting for the fact that the current cycle's matrix may differ. For the preparation strategy that puts you in position to exercise this choice with a strong rank, see the complete INI-CET preparation guide for 2026.
What to do after qualifying — a brief roadmap
If you meet the qualifying percentile and receive a merit-list rank, the post-exam steps move quickly. Here is the sequence to keep on your radar:
Check your result and rank. AIIMS publishes results on the official portal (aiimsexams.ac.in). Note your roll number, score, percentile, category, and rank — these are the numbers you will use throughout counselling.
Read the counselling notification immediately. AIIMS publishes a separate counselling notice after results. It contains the exact schedule, portal links, document requirements, security deposit details, and the rules for each round.
Prepare your documents. Original MBBS degree, final-year mark sheets, internship completion certificate, category certificate (if applicable), identity documents, and any institute-specific requirements listed in the notice.
Fill preferences carefully. Use the seat matrix and your rank to make an informed, priority-ordered preference list. Lock it only when you are certain — choice changes after locking are typically not permitted.
Follow allotment and reporting deadlines strictly. Missing the reporting window forfeits your seat and may have consequences for participation in subsequent rounds, depending on the session's rules.
The pace of counselling is unforgiving. Most deadlines are non-negotiable, and the institutes do not grant exceptions for administrative delays. Building a document folder and monitoring the AIIMS portal from the day of result publication is the simplest way to avoid avoidable errors at this stage.
How NEETPGAI helps you build the rank that makes counselling meaningful
INI-CET counselling options are only as wide as your rank allows. The aspirant who secures a rank in the top tier of their category has real choices — institute, specialty, or both. Everyone else is constrained to what remains after those candidates have chosen. The preparation work that creates that rank is where everything begins.
NEETPGAI is an AI-powered MCQ practice platform designed for the kind of high-volume, depth-first drilling that INI-CET rewards — and it mirrors the real exam format so your practice transfers directly to test day.
A free 31,500+ MCQ bank with full explanations, giving both your NEET PG-level foundation and your INI-CET depth layer a large, verified question pool at no cost.
INI-CET-pattern mock tests — 200 questions in 180 minutes with +1/−1/3 marking — so your timed practice replicates the exact structure, pacing, and fractional-penalty scoring that determines ranks.
Diagnostic analytics and percentile tracking that surface per-subject mastery gaps and show where you stand against a top-rank target, so your revision is always pointed at the right problem.
An AI tutor calibrated for higher-order reasoning — framing answers around next-best-step logic and recent advances rather than recall, clearing the integrated concepts that INI-CET tests at its hardest.
The full question bank, mock tests, revision, and analytics are free for every registered user. The AI tutor and advanced tools are part of the Pro plan, which covers NEET PG, INI-CET, and FMGE together. To begin building the rank that gives you real counselling options, start your free practice on NEETPGAI and visit the INI-CET preparation hub for the full resource set.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the INI-CET cutoff and how is it defined?
The INI-CET cutoff is a qualifying percentile — not a fixed marks score — that candidates must meet to become eligible for counselling. AIIMS New Delhi publishes category-wise qualifying percentiles (commonly cited as 50th percentile for General, with lower thresholds for OBC, SC, ST and EWS). Meeting the cutoff makes you counselling-eligible; your actual rank within the merit list then decides which institute and branch you can claim. Always verify exact percentile thresholds in the official AIIMS INI-CET prospectus for your session, as they are revised each cycle.
What is the INI-CET merit list and how is it ranked?
AIIMS New Delhi publishes a category-wise merit list after every INI-CET session. Candidates are ranked by their final raw score (correct marks minus the fractional penalty). In the event of a tie, AIIMS uses a defined tie-breaking criterion — typically age-based — published in the session prospectus. All counselling rounds draw from this merit list in rank order.
Which institutes participate in INI-CET counselling?
INI-CET counselling covers all participating Institutes of National Importance: all AIIMS campuses (led by AIIMS New Delhi), PGIMER Chandigarh, JIPMER Puducherry, NIMHANS Bengaluru, and SCTIMST Thiruvananthapuram. SGPGIMS Lucknow is NOT an INI-CET institute and runs its own separate entrance. The exact list of participating institutes and the courses each offers are published in the official AIIMS INI-CET prospectus for each session.
How does INI-CET counselling work and how many rounds are there?
INI-CET counselling is conducted online by AIIMS New Delhi. Eligible candidates register for counselling, fill in their institute-and-course preferences in order of priority, and seats are allotted in merit-list rank order. Multiple rounds are typically held to fill vacancies: an initial allotment round, followed by upgrade or mop-up rounds. The exact number of rounds and their schedule are published in the counselling notification for each session.
Is INI-CET counselling separate from NEET PG MCC counselling?
Yes — INI-CET counselling is entirely separate from the MCC counselling used for NEET PG. AIIMS New Delhi administers INI-CET counselling directly, and there is no overlap with the MCC pool. If you are attempting both NEET PG and INI-CET, you must apply and participate in each counselling process independently, within their respective timelines.
Can I see the INI-CET seat matrix before counselling?
Yes. AIIMS New Delhi publishes the INI-CET seat matrix — the total number of seats available at each participating institute, broken down by course and category — in the official prospectus and counselling notification. Seat matrices change every cycle as institutes add or modify programmes, so always refer to the current session's published matrix rather than historical figures from earlier years.
What does choosing institute vs branch mean in INI-CET counselling?
In INI-CET counselling you fill in a preference list combining both institute and specialty. A candidate who prioritises a specific branch may rank specialty higher than institute; one who primarily wants AIIMS New Delhi or PGIMER may rank institute above specialty. The optimal strategy depends on your rank, your career goals, and the seat availability in the current cycle — there is no one-size answer.
What qualifying percentile does INI-CET use for eligibility?
INI-CET uses category-wise qualifying percentiles to determine counselling eligibility. The commonly cited thresholds are 50th percentile for General, with lower cutoffs for OBC, SC, ST, and EWS categories. However, these thresholds are reviewed and may be revised each cycle. You must verify the exact qualifying percentiles in the official AIIMS INI-CET prospectus for your session before assuming eligibility.
What happens after I am allotted a seat in INI-CET counselling?
After seat allotment, you must report to the allotted institute within the reporting deadline carrying the required original documents — MBBS certificate, internship completion certificate, mark sheets, category certificate if applicable, and any other documents specified in the allotment letter. Failure to report within the deadline forfeits the seat.
Can I upgrade my seat in a later INI-CET counselling round?
Upgrade rounds allow candidates who were allotted a seat in an earlier round to re-fill preferences for any remaining vacant seats and potentially move to a higher-preference choice. Whether you must surrender your previous allotment to participate in an upgrade round, and the terms for doing so, are specified in each session's counselling notification. Read the rules for your specific session carefully before opting in.
What seats does INI-CET offer — MD, MS, DM, MCh, or MDS?
INI-CET provides access to MD and MS seats, direct six-year DM and MCh seats (super-specialty courses entered directly after MBBS without a prior MD/MS), and MDS seats at institutes where dental PG programmes are offered. The available courses differ by participating institute, so check the seat matrix in the prospectus to see which courses are on offer at each INI in a given cycle.
How does NEETPGAI help me prepare for a strong INI-CET rank?
NEETPGAI gives you a free MCQ bank with full explanations, INI-CET-pattern mock tests with +1/−1/3 marking, and analytics tracking your accuracy and percentile against a top-rank target. The AI tutor is designed for higher-order, reasoning-based practice — the style INI-CET actually rewards. A strong rank is the only way to compete for seats at AIIMS New Delhi, PGIMER, or JIPMER, and consistent MCQ drilling under realistic exam conditions is how you build it. Start your free INI-CET preparation now →
A strong INI-CET rank is the only currency that buys you real choices in counselling. The qualifying percentile is a floor — meeting it makes you eligible; exceeding the field makes you competitive. Build the rank, then choose. For the preparation strategy that gets you there, visit the INI-CET preparation hub.
Written by: NEETPGAI Editorial Team
Reviewed by: NEETPGAI Medical Advisory Board
Last reviewed: June 2026
INI-CET cutoff percentiles, seat matrix information, counselling process, and participating-institute details are summarised for orientation from AIIMS New Delhi public communications and widely available aspirant guidance; always verify the exact qualifying percentiles, seat availability, counselling schedule, and document requirements for your specific session in the official AIIMS INI-CET prospectus and counselling notification at aiimsexams.ac.in. Specific seat counts, closing ranks, and exact percentile thresholds change every cycle and are not stated as fixed figures in this article. SGPGI Lucknow is not an INI-CET institute and is explicitly excluded. This article is reviewed for accuracy and exam relevance. For corrections or updates, contact the editorial team.
