MD Medicine Seat Reduction at PGIMER Under INI CET 2026 — Sponsored Quota Now Down by One

AIIMS, the conducting body for INI CET January 2026, has released a crucial corrigendum impacting PGIMER Chandigarh. The number of MD Medicine seats under the highly sought-after Sponsored Category has been officially reduced from six to five. This one-seat decrease significantly ratchets up the competition for the January 2026 admission cycle. Aspirants must recalibrate their counselling strategy and preference order immediately. Read the full details on the revised seat matrix and its direct impact on your rank-to-seat conversion chances in one of India's top medical institutes.

The competition for a coveted postgraduate seat in one of India’s premier medical institutions has just intensified. As aspirants for the INI CET January 2026 session finalize their counselling strategies following the result declaration, a late-stage revision to the seat matrix at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, has introduced a fresh challenge. This change specifically targets one of the most sought-after clinical branches: MD Medicine.

​The revision, issued by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, the conducting body for INI CET, confirms a marginal but significant reduction in the number of seats allocated under the Sponsored Category at PGIMER Chandigarh. This news, coming just weeks before the expected commencement of the INI CET Counselling 2026 rounds, necessitates an immediate re-evaluation of preferences and choice-filling by every candidate aiming for this prestigious institute and specialty.

​Official Corrigendum: The Seat Reduction Breakdown

​The primary administrative update confirms the reduction in MD Medicine seats reserved for the Sponsored Category at PGIMER, Chandigarh, for the upcoming academic session. This adjustment serves as a critical reminder to candidates to always refer to the final and revised official seat matrix before locking in their choices.

• ​Previous Seat Position: The initial official seat matrix for the INI CET January 2026 session listed six (6) seats for MD Medicine under the Sponsored Category at PGIMER Chandigarh.
• ​Revised Seat Position: As per the latest corrigendum, the number of seats has been officially revised and reduced to five (5) for the Sponsored Category.
• ​Net Impact: This represents a net decrease of one single seat. While numerically small, the subtraction of a seat from a highly competitive specialty like MD Medicine at an institution with the repute of PGIMER drastically alters the demand-supply equation.
• ​Source of Revision: The amendment was released by the AIIMS Examination Section, highlighting the dynamic nature of institutional seat allocations even in the final stages of the admission process.

​Navigating the Increased Competition in MD Medicine

​The reduction of one seat in the MD Medicine Sponsored Category at PGIMER holds substantial implications for the pool of candidates who have qualified in the INI CET January 2026 examination. Given the intense competition for clinical seats, especially in General Medicine, the loss of even a single opportunity can push the effective cutoff rank higher.

• ​Amplified Rank-Cutoff Pressure: For a specialty where hundreds of applicants vie for every seat, the removal of one seat means one more aspirant who qualified under this specific category will miss out. This places increased pressure on candidates who are at the margin of the qualifying ranks for a seat in PGIMER.
• ​Strategic Choice Filling Imperative: Aspirants must now exercise extreme caution during the counselling and Online Seat Allocation rounds. Candidates who had ranked PGIMER MD Medicine (Sponsored) as a marginal preference based on the previous six-seat matrix should now place it higher or diversify their choices among other INIs (AIIMS, JIPMER) or other clinical specialties with a more favourable seat-to-rank ratio.
• ​The Value of Diversification: This news underscores the crucial need for a robust and multi-faceted choice-filling strategy. Relying heavily on a single institute or specialty, particularly one that has experienced a seat reduction, is now riskier. Candidates are advised to prepare a comprehensive list of alternative choices, including similar disciplines like Internal Medicine or Family Medicine at other top institutions.
• ​Final Documentation Check: As the counseling process approaches (expected towards the end of December 2025), candidates must ensure all their documentation, particularly the Sponsored Certificate and no-objection certificate from the sponsoring authority, is impeccable, as even minor errors can lead to disqualification in highly contested seats.

​Key Details of the PGIMER Sponsored Category

​The Sponsored Category seats, though limited, offer a unique pathway for doctors who are already in government or public service to pursue higher education. These seats are distinct from the open category and reserved category (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) seats and have their own specific eligibility norms.

• ​Eligibility Criteria Focus: Candidates under this category are typically required to have a minimum number of years of service (usually 3 years) in a recognized government/public institution and must be sponsored by their parent organization, which assures them of retaining their employment/salary during the course duration.
• ​The Sponsorship Bond/Commitment: A key requirement involves a commitment or a bond to serve the sponsoring authority for a stipulated period after completing the PG course. This ensures the government body reaps the benefit of the doctor’s specialized training.
• ​Separate Counselling Process: While selection is based on the INI CET rank, the counselling process for Sponsored/Foreign National candidates often involves an additional layer of document verification specific to the sponsorship status, which is overseen by the respective Institute like PGIMER.
• ​Preparation for the January 2026 Session: The INI CET result has already been declared, and the focus must now shift entirely to the counselling rounds. Aspirants should use the time available to meticulously compare their rank against previous session cutoffs and the revised seat matrix to formulate an optimal and successful choice order.

​In conclusion, the late-stage reduction of an MD Medicine seat in the Sponsored Category at PGIMER Chandigarh for the INI CET January 2026 session serves as a high-alert for all medical aspirants. It heightens the competitive pressure for one of the most sought-after residencies in the country. The key to securing a seat now lies not just in the achieved rank, but in a smart, informed, and adaptive strategy during the upcoming counselling and seat allocation process.

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