INI CET January 2027 exam held today: 200 questions, 4 locked sections, result due November 7
By TUF News Desk · Published 1 November 2026 · 4 min read
Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy
Sunday, November 1, was exam day for postgraduate medical aspirants across India. The Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test (INI CET) for the January 2027 session ran from 9 am to 12 noon as a computer-based test, conducted by AIIMS New Delhi. It is the single entrance test for MD, MS, DM (6 years), MCh (6 years), MDS and MD (Hospital Administration) seats at the participating Institutes of National Importance.
Those institutes include the AIIMS campuses, JIPMER Puducherry, PGIMER Chandigarh, NIMHANS Bengaluru and SCTIMST Thiruvananthapuram. Registration for this session closed on October 13, and admit cards were released on October 26. Results and counselling updates will appear on the official AIIMS exams portal, which is the only place candidates should check for their individual result.
Four sections, no going back
The paper carried 200 objective questions to be answered in 180 minutes. Questions came in single correct choice and multiple correct choice formats. The paper was divided into four parts of 50 questions each, and each part ran for 45 minutes.
That split changed how candidates had to manage time. A part closed automatically when its 45 minutes ended, and the next part opened in its place. Candidates could attempt questions only in the part that was active at the time. They could not return to an earlier part to fix a skipped question or review a marked answer, so each section had to be finished inside its own slot.
Marking followed the usual INI CET scheme. A correct answer earned one mark, a wrong answer lost one third of a mark, and a question left unanswered or marked for review earned zero. With that penalty in place, a blind guess cost marks, while leaving a question blank cost nothing.
Cutoffs and tie-breaks
Qualifying in INI CET depends on percentile, rather than a fixed mark. Candidates in the Unreserved category, including Overseas Citizens of India, as well as EWS, sponsored and foreign national candidates, needed the 50th percentile. Candidates in the OBC, SC, ST and PwBD categories needed the 45th percentile. The 45th percentile cutoff also applied to Bhutanese nationals applying to PGI Chandigarh.
When two candidates end with equal marks, AIIMS applies tie-break rules in order. The candidate with fewer negative marks ranks higher. If the tie still stands, the higher percentage in the qualifying degree decides it, followed by older age, and then the name in alphabetical order.
What happens next
The result is expected on November 7, 2026. Candidates should download it from the AIIMS exams portal and keep the scorecard with their registration ID and admit card until counselling ends, since each round asks for those details again.
Counselling is expected to begin in December 2026. Seat allocation runs online, with at least two rounds followed by an open round. Seats are allotted in order of merit, based on the choices candidates submit and the reservation and institutional preference policies of each institute. Candidates comparing institutes before choice filling can use the guide to choosing a university in India, and the admission documents checklist covers the papers usually needed at the reporting stage.
Frequently asked questions
When was the INI CET January 2027 exam held?
On November 1, 2026, from 9 am to 12 noon, as a computer-based test conducted by AIIMS New Delhi.
What was the INI CET January 2027 paper pattern?
The paper had 200 objective questions in 180 minutes, split into four parts of 50 questions with 45 minutes each. A correct answer earned one mark, a wrong answer lost one third of a mark, and unanswered questions earned zero.
What percentile is needed to qualify in INI CET January 2027?
The 50th percentile for Unreserved, EWS, sponsored and foreign national candidates, and the 45th percentile for OBC, SC, ST and PwBD candidates.
When will the INI CET January 2027 result be declared?
The result is expected on November 7, 2026, on the AIIMS exams portal, with counselling expected to begin in December 2026.
Frequently asked questions
When was the INI CET January 2027 exam held?
On November 1, 2026, from 9 am to 12 noon, as a computer-based test conducted by AIIMS New Delhi.
What was the INI CET January 2027 paper pattern?
The paper had 200 objective questions in 180 minutes, split into four parts of 50 questions with 45 minutes each. A correct answer earned one mark and a wrong answer lost one third of a mark.
What percentile is needed to qualify in INI CET January 2027?
The 50th percentile for Unreserved, EWS, sponsored and foreign national candidates, and the 45th percentile for OBC, SC, ST and PwBD candidates.
When will the INI CET January 2027 result be declared?
The result is expected on November 7, 2026, on the AIIMS exams portal, with counselling expected to begin in December 2026.
Sources: Medical Dialogues, Collegedunia, AglaSem