INI CET 2026: Candidates Await Round 1 Seat Allocation Scheduled for December 18

The wait is almost over for thousands of postgraduate medical aspirants! The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) is set to declare the INI CET 2026 Round 1 Seat Allocation results on December 18, 2025. This crucial announcement will determine admissions to top PG courses like MD, MS, MCh (6 years), DM (6 years), and MDS across premier Institutions of National Importance (INIs) including AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, NIMHANS, and SCTIMST. Candidates who successfully participated in the choice-filling process, which concluded on December 13, must be ready for the next steps: online seat acceptance and physical reporting, which are scheduled from December 19 to December 24, 2025. This article provides a comprehensive guide for all eligible candidates.

The Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test (INI CET) for the January 2026 session is the gateway for over 32,000 qualified candidates into prestigious postgraduate medical and dental programs across India’s premier institutes. With the strategic choice-filling and locking window now closed—a window that followed the critical mock seat allocation—all eyes are firmly fixed on the official announcement of the Round 1 results. This phase marks a decisive point in every aspirant’s journey, transforming years of dedication into a confirmed seat in their chosen specialty. Candidates must remain vigilant and prepared to execute the post-allotment formalities swiftly and accurately to secure their dream career path.

 Important Dates and Allocation Process for INI CET 2026

The official schedule released by AIIMS, New Delhi, outlines a tight and mandatory timeline that aspirants must adhere to. Missing any of these key dates can unfortunately lead to the forfeiture of the allotted seat and exclusion from subsequent rounds.

• Declaration of Round 1 Seat Allocation Result: The result, listing the provisional allotment of institute and specialty, will be published on December 18, 2025. This is the final allotment for the first round.
• Online Acceptance of Allocated Seat: Candidates must log in to the official AIIMS portal to actively choose one of the two options: 'Accept & Exit' or 'Accept & Upgrade'. This must be done between December 19 and December 24, 2025 (up to 5:00 PM).
• Reporting and Document Submission: Physical reporting to the allotted institute, along with the submission of all required original documents and the security deposit, must also be completed between December 19 and December 24, 2025 (up to 5:00 PM).

The process of seat allocation is merit-based, considering the candidate’s INI CET rank, the order of preferences submitted during choice filling, the seat matrix for various specialties, and the government’s reservation rules.

 Key Post-Allotment Formalities and Options

Once a seat is allocated, the candidate is presented with a crucial decision that determines their participation in the next round of counselling. This decision must be made online on the official counselling portal.

• Option 1: Accept & Exit
  • Choosing this option means the candidate is satisfied with the allocated seat (Institute and Specialty) and does not wish to be considered for any upgradation in Round 2.
  • The candidate must then complete all reporting and document verification formalities at the allotted institute within the stipulated deadline to finalize the admission.
• Option 2: Accept & Upgrade
  • Choosing this option means the candidate accepts the allocated seat, thereby securing it, but wishes to be considered for a higher preferred seat/institute from their original choices in Round 2.
  • The candidate must still report to the Round 1 allotted institute for document submission and formality completion. If upgraded in Round 2, the Round 1 seat is automatically vacated and they must join the upgraded institute. Failure to join the upgraded seat can attract a substantial penalty.
• Non-Response / Rejection:
  • It is vital to note that failure to actively choose one of the two options or failure to report to the allotted institute will result in the forfeiture of the seat and the candidate will be ineligible to participate in Round 2 (though they may be eligible for the Open Round, if conducted).

 Preparing for Document Verification: A Checklist for Aspirants

The physical reporting stage is non-negotiable and requires meticulous preparation. Aspirants must carry all original documents, along with self-attested photocopies, to the allotted institute for verification.

• INI CET Essentials:
  • INI CET 2026 Rank Card/Score Card
  • INI CET 2026 Admit Card
  • INI CET 2026 Allotment Letter (downloaded from the portal)
  • Registration Slip/RUC (Registration Unique Code)
• Academic and Professional Documents:
  • MBBS/BDS Degree Certificate
  • All Professional Examination Mark Sheets
  • Compulsory Rotatory Internship Completion Certificate (must meet the deadline of December 31, 2025)
  • Permanent/Provisional Registration Certificate (MCI/NMC/DCI/State Council)
• Identity and Category Proof:
  • High School/HSC/Birth Certificate for Date of Birth proof
  • Government-issued Photo ID (Aadhaar, Passport, etc.)
  • Valid Category Certificate (OBC-NCL, SC, ST, EWS, PwBD) in the prescribed format, where applicable. OBC-NCL and EWS certificates must be current and valid as per the official notification.

Conclusion

The announcement of the INI CET 2026 Round 1 seat allocation on December 18 is the culmination of immense effort and strategic planning for every aspirant. The period between December 19 and December 24 will be the decisive window for converting the allotment letter into a confirmed residency seat at a top INI. Candidates must meticulously follow the official counselling schedule, strategically choose their acceptance option, and ensure all documents are ready for a seamless reporting process to secure their spot in the January 2026 session.