Last verified: 24 September 2026 against NBEMS NEET-PG 2026 information and AIIMS INICET prospectus. natboard.edu.in · nmc.org.in
Quick Answer
NEET-PG (NBEMS, once a year): 180 MCQs, +4 / −1, 720 marks, 3 h 30 min. INICET (AIIMS, twice a year): 200 MCQs, +1 / −1/3, 200 marks, 3 h. Same MBBS syllabus; different guessing maths.
Side by Side
| NEET-PG | INICET | |
|---|---|---|
| Conducted by | NBEMS | AIIMS New Delhi |
| Admits to | MD / MS / PG diploma seats across India (All India Quota via MCC, plus state quotas) | AIIMS institutions, JIPMER, PGIMER and NIMHANS |
| How often | Once a year | Twice a year (May and November sessions) |
| Questions | 180 MCQs (2026) | 200 MCQs |
| Sections | 5 sections × 36 questions, 42 minutes each | 4 sections × 50 questions, 45 minutes each |
| Duration | 3 hours 30 minutes | 3 hours |
| Marking | +4 correct, −1 wrong, 0 blank | +1 correct, −1/3 wrong, 0 blank |
| Maximum marks | 720 | 200 |
| Qualifying percentile | 50th General/EWS, 45th General-PwBD, 40th SC/ST/OBC | 50th General/EWS, 45th OBC/SC/ST/PwBD |
| Blind guess (4 options) | +0.25 marks expected | 0 marks expected |
Why the marking matters: NEET-PG’s +4 / −1 makes even a blind guess worth +0.25 on average, rising to +1.5 once you rule out two options. INICET’s +1 / −1/3 makes a blind guess worth exactly zero; ruling out one option makes it +0.11 and ruling out two makes it +0.33. The same habit of eliminating options pays in both, but the threshold for answering is lower in NEET-PG.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between NEET-PG and INICET?▼
NEET-PG is conducted once a year by NBEMS for most MD/MS seats in India; INICET is conducted twice a year by AIIMS New Delhi for AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER and NIMHANS. NEET-PG 2026 had 180 questions marked +4 / −1 (720 marks) over 3 hours 30 minutes; INICET has 200 questions marked +1 / −1/3 (200 marks) over 3 hours.
Is the syllabus the same for NEET-PG and INICET?▼
Both test the MBBS curriculum, so the same preparation serves both. INICET papers tend to carry more clinical vignettes and image-based questions, so add image practice before each INICET session.
Should I guess in NEET-PG and INICET?▼
The two exams reward guessing differently. In NEET-PG (+4 / −1), a blind guess among four options is worth +0.25 marks on average. In INICET (+1 / −1/3), a blind guess is worth exactly zero, and becomes worthwhile only once you can rule out at least one option.
Can I write both NEET-PG and INICET?▼
Yes. They are separate exams with separate applications. Many candidates write every INICET session while preparing for NEET-PG, because the syllabus is shared.
NBEMS and AIIMS patterns
Updated for 2026
Same MBBS syllabus
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