INICET Exam Pattern 2026 — 200 MCQs, +1/−⅓ Marking, 3 Hours (AIIMS Delhi)

INICET 2026 is a 200-MCQ Computer-Based Test conducted by AIIMS Delhi, split into 4 sections of 50 questions with 45 minutes each. Marking: +1 for correct, −1/3 for incorrect, 0 for unanswered. Total marks: 200. Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes). The exam runs twice a year — May session (July admission cycle) and November session (January admission cycle).

INICET has 200 MCQs covering all 19 MBBS subjects. The clinical-to-paraclinical ratio is similar to NEET-PG but with a notably higher proportion of clinical vignettes and image-based questions — typically 15–20% of the paper.

Each correct answer scores +1 mark; each incorrect answer is penalised 1/3 mark; unanswered questions score 0. Total maximum marks: 200. A blind guess among four options has zero expected value (a 1-in-4 chance of +1 against a 3-in-4 chance of −1/3). Eliminate even one option and a guess has positive expected value.

INICET runs for 3 hours (180 minutes) for 200 questions — roughly 54 seconds per question, slightly tighter than NEET-PG. Single shift, single day, conducted at AIIMS-approved CBT centres across India.

Two key differences: (1) INICET is conducted by AIIMS Delhi vs NEET-PG by NBEMS; (2) INICET has more image-based MCQs and clinical vignettes — typically 15–20% image vs ~10% for NEET-PG. The syllabus overlap is ~95% (both follow MBBS curriculum). INICET is also 30 minutes shorter than NEET-PG.

INICET runs twice a year. The May session feeds the July admission cycle (PG-July 2026); the November session feeds the January admission cycle (PG-January 2027). Application opens ~6 weeks before each session on aiimsexams.ac.in.