The admission process for the Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test (INI-CET) November 2025 session has reached its most critical hour. Today, February 27, 2026, marks the penultimate day for selected doctors to complete their physical reporting at assigned medical colleges. Following the seat allotment results announced on February 21, hundreds of postgraduate medical aspirants have been traveling to various campuses to secure their spots. This open round is the final opportunity for students to join premier institutes like AIIMS, JIPMER, and PGIMER for the current academic cycle.

Physical Reporting and Document Verification Protocols

According to the guidelines issued by AIIMS New Delhi, every candidate who was allotted a seat must appear in person. Online or proxy reporting is strictly not allowed for this level of medical admission. The process involves a thorough check of academic records and clinical eligibility. If a student does not complete this step by the February 28 deadline, their seat will be canceled automatically. Many participating institutes have set up dedicated help desks to speed up the paperwork for the arriving doctors.

• Acceptance Letter: Candidates must first log in to the portal and download their official offer letter before visiting the college.
• Original Certificates: Students are required to produce their MBBS degree, internship completion certificate, and permanent registration papers.
• Security Deposit: For the open round, the INI-CET rules require a security deposit which is only settled after successful reporting.
• Face Verification: To prevent any fraud, colleges are using biometric and facial recognition data from the original entrance exam records.

Medical Fitness and Final Admission Formalities

Securing a seat in the INI-CET open round is not just about having the right marks; it also requires meeting the health standards of the institute. Every admission is subject to a mandatory medical examination conducted by a board of doctors at the respective hospital. This ensures that the candidate is physically and mentally fit to handle the high-pressure environment of residency. Once the medical board gives the green light, the student pays the tuition fees to finalize their entrance into the postgraduate department.

• Health Check: Candidates undergo basic tests, including blood work and vision checks, at the participating institutes.
• Fee Payment: The final step involves paying the admission charges via demand draft or the official online portal.
• Hostel Allotment: Many colleges provide immediate hostel room assignments once the admission is confirmed to help students settle in.
• Residency Start: New residents are expected to join their clinical duties within a week of completing the reporting process.

Rules for Seat Forfeiture and Vacancy

The INI-CET open round has very strict rules because these are the very last seats available for the year. The National Medical Commission and AIIMS work together to make sure no seat goes to waste. If any aspirants decide to leave their seat after this stage, they are often required to pay a heavy penalty or "seat-leaving bond." This is done to discourage students from blocking seats that other deserving doctors could have taken during the entrance cycle.

• Reporting Deadline: The gates for reporting will close exactly at 5:00 PM on February 28, 2026.
• Penalty Clause: Leaving a seat after the open round can lead to a fine of up to ₹3 lakhs or more depending on the college.
• Waiting List: Any seats that remain empty after tomorrow will be carried forward to the next session starting in May.
• Document Safety: Candidates are advised to keep at least three sets of photocopies as the college will keep the originals for a few months.

Conclusion

As the sun sets on February 27, the window for INI-CET admission is nearly closed. For the lucky doctors currently at the participating institutes, this is the start of a new chapter in their careers. The discipline shown by AIIMS in managing the reporting phase ensures that the best talent enters the healthcare system on time. All aspirants who have not yet reached their allotted college should treat the next 24 hours as their final chance to secure their future in specialist medicine. The energy at the dean's offices across India remains high as the 2025-2026 recruitment journey finally comes to an end.