All India Institute of Medical Sciences (Bhathinda) to add 1 seat in DM – Neonatology for the INI SS January 2026 session

Big news for super-specialty aspirants! AIIMS Bathinda has added its first-ever DM-Neonatology seat for the INI SS January 2026 session. This solitary General category seat was confirmed via an addendum from AIIMS New Delhi. The addition creates a brand-new, highly competitive opportunity for MD/DNB Pediatrics graduates seeking specialization in neonatal care. This strategic expansion reflects a growing commitment to improving tertiary healthcare in the Punjab region. Aspirants must update their choice-filling strategy immediately.

In a major development for the highly competitive field of super-specialty medical education, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bathinda, has announced the introduction of a brand-new seat for the DM (Doctorate of Medicine) in Neonatology course. This addition, confirmed via an official Addendum No. 42/2025 released by AIIMS New Delhi, the conducting body for the Institute of National Importance Super Speciality (INI SS) Entrance Examination, creates a unique and highly sought-after opportunity for eligible medical graduates seeking specialization in advanced neonatal care.

​The addendum confirms the addition of one seat in the DM-Neonatology course at AIIMS Bathinda, allocated under the General category. Crucially, this marks the inaugural seat for this super-specialty at the institute, as the previous seat matrix showed a vacant position (zero seats) for this course. For candidates who have qualified in the INI SS entrance test and are awaiting the counselling process for the January 2026 session, this modification in the seat matrix is highly significant and warrants an immediate revision of their choice-filling preferences. This move underscores AIIMS Bathinda's rapid progress in expanding its academic and clinical portfolio to cater to critical healthcare needs in the northern region.

​ The Significance of the DM-Neonatology Seat Addition

​The inclusion of even a single seat in a super-specialty course like Neonatology at a premier institution like AIIMS carries immense weight due to the high competition and limited number of training centers in India.

• ​Inaugural Seat at AIIMS Bathinda:
  • ​This is the first time that AIIMS Bathinda, one of the newer Institutes of National Importance, will offer a DM course in Neonatology. This represents a substantial milestone in the development of the Pediatrics department and the institution as a whole.
  • ​The new seat indicates that the institute's pediatric and neonatal infrastructure, including the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), faculty strength, and clinical load, have met the rigorous standards set by the NMC and AIIMS for super-specialty training.
• ​Impact on Specialization:
  • ​High Demand Field: Neonatology is a critical sub-specialty focusing on the medical care of newborns, particularly premature and critically ill infants. The demand for qualified Neonatologists in both public and private sectors far outstrips the supply.
  • ​Single General Seat, High Competition: The seat being a solitary General (UR) category vacancy means it will be accessible to candidates across all categories based purely on their INI SS overall merit rank. Competition for this one seat will be exceptionally fierce, likely requiring a top-tier rank in the entrance examination.
• ​Eligibility Prerequisite:
  • ​Candidates applying for the DM-Neonatology course must possess a postgraduate medical degree in Pediatrics (MD/DNB Pediatrics) or an equivalent degree recognized by the National Medical Commission (NMC).

​ Action Points for INI SS January 2026 Aspirants

​The last-minute addition and removal of seats are common occurrences in super-specialty counselling, making it imperative for aspirants to be highly vigilant and dynamic in their strategy. This single seat addition requires immediate attention for those participating in the forthcoming counselling rounds.

• ​Review the Official Addendum:
  • ​Aspirants must download and meticulously review Addendum No. 42/2025 and any subsequent corrigenda/addenda on the official AIIMS examination website (aiimsexams.ac.in).
  • ​Ensure that the updated seat matrix, including this new General seat at AIIMS Bathinda, is correctly reflected in their prepared choice list.
• ​Revise Choice Filling Strategy:
  • ​Candidates with a high INI SS rank who have completed or are preparing their choices for the January 2026 session must immediately consider adding "DM-Neonatology, AIIMS Bathinda (UR)" to their list.
  • ​This option should be placed high on the preference list if Neonatology is a desired specialty, as the single seat will be allotted to a high-ranking candidate.
• ​Counselling Process Integrity:
  • ​The INI SS counselling for DM/M.Ch. courses is conducted in multiple rounds, primarily online. Seat allotment is based strictly on the candidate’s overall merit rank and the choices locked during the specified window.
  • ​The inclusion of this new seat guarantees that the final seat allocation for the DM-Neonatology course will be based on the revised seat matrix, offering a fairer and expanded opportunity.

​AIIMS Bathinda: Driving Super-Specialty Healthcare in Punjab

​The establishment of this new super-specialty training program is a testament to the continued investment in high-end medical education and tertiary healthcare services in the region served by AIIMS Bathinda.

• ​Fulfilling Regional Gaps: The need for specialized neonatal care in Punjab and neighboring states is immense. By introducing this DM course, AIIMS Bathinda is positioning itself as a referral center for high-risk neonates, significantly reducing the pressure on older, established institutions like PGIMER Chandigarh.
• ​Faculty and Infrastructure Growth: The ability to offer a DM course confirms that the institute has achieved the critical mass of specialized faculty, high-tech equipment, and diverse patient load necessary for super-specialty training, ensuring the resident receives high-quality education.
• ​Future Expansion Potential: The commencement of a new DM program often paves the way for the introduction of other allied super-specialty courses and the expansion of existing ones, marking a positive long-term trajectory for medical education in the institute.

​Conclusion

​The announcement by AIIMS New Delhi regarding the addition of one General category seat for the DM-Neonatology course at AIIMS Bathinda for the INI SS January 2026 session is excellent news for super-specialty aspirants. While the competition for this single, highly coveted position will be fierce, it offers a tangible new opportunity in a critical medical field. All eligible candidates must update their choice lists immediately and ensure they follow the official communications from the AIIMS Examination Section to successfully navigate the impending counselling process.

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