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Aiims Releases Final Seat Position For Ini Cet January 2026 Session

AIIMS Releases Final Seat Position for INI-CET January 2026 Session

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The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has officially released the final seat position for the Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test (INI-CET) January 2026 session. This crucial document is the definitive blueprint for all aspirants seeking admission to top postgraduate courses like MD, MS, M.Ch (6 years), and MDS across 22 premier Institutes of National Importance (INIs), including AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, NIMHANS, and SCTIMST. The final matrix details the total number of seats, subject-wise distribution, and category-wise reservation breakup. Aspiring medical professionals are strongly advised to meticulously analyze this matrix to optimize their choices during the upcoming counseling rounds. Understanding the precise seat availability is the key to securing a coveted position in India's most prestigious medical institutions.

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The path to postgraduate medical specialization in India is one of the most competitive academic journeys globally, with the Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test (INI-CET) serving as the gateway to the country's most esteemed institutions. In a crucial development for thousands of aspirants, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, the conducting body for the exam, has released the Final Seat Position for the INI-CET January 2026 session. This release follows the declaration of the INI-CET results on November 15, 2025, and marks the official commencement of the seat allocation phase. For every successful candidate, this seat matrix is more than just a document—it is the definitive map that will guide their strategy for the impending counseling process, which is expected to begin shortly. Candidates must download and scrutinize this matrix from the official AIIMS website to make informed, data-driven decisions on their preferred course and institute combinations.

​ Key Takeaways from the Final Seat Matrix 

​The final seat position provides the definitive count and distribution of all available seats for the January 2026 session across the 22 participating Institutes of National Importance (INIs). Aspiring doctors must pay close attention to the following highlights:

  • ​Total Seat Count: The matrix confirms a substantial number of seats for MD, MS, M.Ch (6 years), and MDS courses. Early estimates suggest a total of over 1,590 seats will be filled across all participating INIs, though minor last-minute adjustments were integrated into this final list.
  • ​Institute-Wise Distribution: The distribution reveals the highest intake at flagship institutions, with AIIMS New Delhi consistently offering a significant chunk of the total PG seats. Other major contributors include AIIMS Rishikesh, AIIMS Kalyani, PGIMER Chandigarh, and JIPMER Puducherry. 
    • ​Example: AIIMS New Delhi has around 183 seats for MD/MS/MDS programs, closely followed by PGIMER Chandigarh and AIIMS Rishikesh.
  • ​Expansion of Opportunities: The inclusion of seats from newer AIIMS campuses across the country, such as AIIMS Bathinda, AIIMS Deoghar, and AIIMS Gorakhpur, reflects the government's push to expand high-quality medical education infrastructure. This distributed network of opportunities offers a wider range of choices for candidates across various rank brackets.

​ Strategic Analysis of Category-Wise Seat Reservation 

​A pivotal component of the Final Seat Position is the detailed category-wise breakup, which dictates the number of seats available under different reservation quotas as mandated by the Government of India. Strategic choice filling is paramount, and understanding this distribution is essential for maximizing a candidate's selection probability.

  • ​Mandatory Quotas: Seats are rigorously allocated as per the stipulated percentages for Unreserved (UR), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). 
    • ​Reservation Note: Aspirants must ensure their reservation certificate (OBC-NCL/EWS/SC/ST) meets the stringent format and validity date requirements specified by AIIMS. Discrepancies can lead to the cancellation of candidature under the claimed category.
  • ​Horizontal Reservations: Special attention must be paid to horizontal reservations, notably the 5% reservation for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) and, in some INIs, reservations for Rural Area Service (RAS) candidates. 
    • ​Counselling Impact: Candidates qualifying under a horizontal reservation category compete for seats within their respective vertical reservation (UR, OBC, SC, ST, EWS) but must present the necessary documentation during the reporting phase.
  • ​Subject-Specific Demand: High-demand specialties like Radiodiagnosis, General Medicine, and Orthopaedics typically have fewer open seats compared to pre-clinical and para-clinical subjects. Candidates are advised to rank their choices based on both their preference and the realistic availability of seats in their rank range.

​ Next Steps for INI-CET Qualified Candidates 

​The release of the final seat matrix immediately precedes the commencement of the online counselling and seat allocation process. Candidates who successfully qualified based on the INI-CET January 2026 results must now execute a systematic plan.

  • ​Mock and Real Counselling Rounds: The INI-CET counselling process typically involves multiple rounds, often starting with a Mock Round to familiarize candidates with the choice-filling interface and a subsequent Round 1, Round 2, and an Open Round. 
    • ​Timeline: Counselling registration and choice filling dates are expected to be announced in the first or second week of December 2025. Stay alert for the official announcement on the AIIMS portal.
  • ​Choice Filling and Locking: This is the most critical stage. Candidates should: 
    • ​Prepare a Master List: Create a prioritized list of their desired specializations and Institutes of National Importance based on rank, subject interest, and the newly released seat matrix.
    • ​Research Cut-offs: Analyze the previous session's closing ranks for their preferred courses/institutes to estimate their chances and guide their choice-filling strategy.
    • ​Lock Choices Promptly: Ensure choices are locked within the stipulated window to avoid automatic locking of a potentially incomplete list.
  • ​Document Readiness: Prepare all original and photocopied documents—including the INI-CET scorecard, MBBS degree, internship completion certificate, and valid reservation certificates—to be ready for the physical reporting phase after seat allotment.

​Conclusion

​The AIIMS release of the Final Seat Position for the INI-CET January 2026 session is the official signal for qualified aspirants to transition from academic preparation to strategic counselling. With the exact number of seats and their reservation breakdown now available, candidates hold the crucial data needed to make the best possible choices. The sheer volume of seats—over 1,590 across 22 INIs—underscores the significant opportunity at hand. Success now hinges not just on merit rank, but on an intelligent, well-researched, and timely strategy during the counselling choice-filling process.

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