The AIIMS examination section is currently finalizing the intake data for the January 2026 session following the completion of Round 2 reporting. As of today, January 24, 2026, the focus has shifted toward identifying the remaining vacancies across various Institutes of National Importance. The admission process for the current session has seen high participation, with most clinical seats in premier branches being occupied during the initial stages.

• Reporting Conclusion: The mandatory physical reporting and document submission for candidates allotted seats in the second round ended on January 15, 2026.
• Vacancy Mapping: Each participating institute is now submitting its data on "joined" versus "non-joined" candidates to AIIMS New Delhi to help prepare the final merit list.
• Document Verification: The central counselling committee is conducting a final audit of the eligibility certificates submitted by students during their recent campus visits.
• Seat Surrender Window: Candidates who wish to resign from their allotted seats to participate in subsequent rounds must adhere to the specific resignation protocols defined by the university.

Anticipation for the Open Round Seat Allocation

With the regular rounds of counselling now concluded, thousands of qualified doctors are awaiting the announcement of the Open Round. This final stage is designed to ensure that no specialized medical seats remain vacant across the AIIMS network and other participating institutes like JIPMER and PGIMER.

• Eligibility Criteria: Only candidates who were not allotted any seat in the previous two rounds, or those who opted for the "willingness to upgrade" without receiving a new seat, are typically eligible.
• Registration Portal: A fresh registration window for the open round is expected to be activated on the official portal if a significant number of seats remain unoccupied.
• Spot Selection: Unlike previous rounds, the open round often requires rapid decision-making as seats are allocated in a consolidated manner based on the remaining merit list.

INI CET January 2026 Admission Status Overview

Conclusion

The January 2026 session of the INI CET is rapidly approaching its conclusion as the academic year commences. While the primary rounds of counselling have established the core batch for the 2026-2028 tenure, the finalization of admission lists remains an essential administrative task to maintain institutional transparency. Every institute is expected to release its final "joined candidate" list by the end of this month, marking the formal start of the postgraduate residency programs. For those still in the running, the potential open round remains the last opportunity to secure a spot in India's most prestigious medical colleges before the July 2026 cycle begins.