AIIMS-INI CET January 2026: MD Medicine seats at reduced from 6 to 5 under Sponsored Category

Aspiring medical postgraduates take note The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has issued a crucial corrigendum for the Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test (INI-CET) January 2026 session. This change specifically impacts the MD Medicine course at PGIMER, Chandigarh, under the Sponsored Category. The available seats have been revised downward, intensifying the competition for this highly sought-after specialization. This article details the revision, explores the implications for sponsored candidates, and provides essential context for your INI CET preparation strategy. Stay informed and plan your application meticulously.

The road to securing a postgraduate medical seat in a premier institution like the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, is exceptionally competitive. This is further heightened for candidates applying under the Sponsored Category—a route typically utilized by government-employed medical officers seeking advanced training. The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), the conducting body for the INI-CET (Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test), has released a significant corrigendum for the January 2026 session.

​The core of this official notification revolves around a reduction in the number of MD Medicine seats at PGIMER, Chandigarh, specifically within the Sponsored Category. The seat count has been revised from six (6) to five (5). While a reduction of one seat may seem minor in the overall seat matrix, its impact on the already limited and highly competitive Sponsored Category is substantial, necessitating a prompt and strategic response from all affected aspirants. This reduction directly affects the aspirations of medical professionals relying on this channel for advanced education, demanding renewed focus on their performance in the upcoming entrance test.

​ The Revised Seat Position and Immediate Impact

​The change is effective immediately and applies directly to the INI-CET January 2026 admission cycle. Candidates who have applied or are planning to apply for MD Medicine at PGIMER under the Sponsored Category must adjust their expectations and strategies accordingly. This move underscores the dynamic nature of PG seat allocation in India's top medical institutes, which are often subject to periodic review and adjustment based on institutional capacity, faculty-student ratios, and policy directives from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

• ​Institute Affected: Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, recognized globally for its excellence in clinical research and patient care.
• ​Course Impacted: MD Medicine. This is a particularly competitive clinical specialty, fundamental to tertiary care, making any seat reduction a major news item for aspirants.
• ​Category: Sponsored Category. This channel facilitates PG courses for professionals who maintain a service bond or obligation to their sponsoring government/public sector entity.
• ​The Revision: Seats for MD Medicine reduced from 6 to 5 in the Sponsored Category. This change represents a notable curtailment of opportunity.
• ​Key Takeaway: The reduced availability means that the already stringent merit-based selection process for sponsored candidates will become even more cutthroat. Aspirants must now vie for just five coveted slots, dramatically increasing the required cutoff rank and percentile. The intensity of competition for a single seat in a premium institution like PGIMER is disproportionately high.

​This reduction emphasizes the need for sponsored candidates to not only achieve a stellar INI-CET rank but also ensure their sponsorship documentation is impeccable and adheres strictly to all latest guidelines mentioned in the Prospectus Part-B of PGIMER and the INI-CET information brochure. Candidates must be cognizant of the eligibility requirements, which often demand a specific duration of service (e.g., three to five years depending on the institute) under the sponsoring authority, in addition to a clean service record.

​ Strategy Adjustments for INI CET January 2026 Aspirants

​The single-seat reduction serves as a critical warning signal for all INI CET aspirants, highlighting the intense competition and the need for meticulous preparation and strategic counseling. A multi-pronged approach covering both academic preparation and administrative readiness is now essential to navigate this competitive bottleneck.

​Enhanced Preparation and Rank Focus

• ​Target Higher Rank: With one less seat available, the closing rank for the sponsored category is mathematically certain to shift higher (meaning a better rank is required). Aspirants should intensify their studies, aiming for a top-tier rank in the INI-CET to secure a place among the five successful candidates. The margin for error has diminished significantly.
• ​Focus on Core Subjects: The INI-CET syllabus is vast, covering all subjects of MBBS. Achieving a high score, especially in clinical subjects like Internal Medicine, Surgery, and Pediatrics, is paramount for high-demand branches like MD Medicine. Consistent revision and practicing high-yield MCQs focusing on AIIMS pattern questions are non-negotiable.
• ​Mock Tests and Analysis: Regular full-length, timed mock tests are crucial for simulating exam conditions, building stamina, and critically identifying weak areas. Candidates must analyze their performance thoroughly and dedicate extra time to those subjects that repeatedly cause low scores.

​Documentation and Counseling Vigilance

• ​Validate Sponsorship Certificate: Sponsored candidates must ensure that their "No Objection Certificate" (NOC) or Sponsorship Certificate from the sponsoring authority is correctly filled, duly signed by the competent authority, and explicitly mentions the course (MD Medicine) and the session (January 2026). Any discrepancy, however minor, can lead to immediate disqualification during document verification.
• ​Stay Updated on Corrigenda: AIIMS and the participating INIs frequently release corrigenda and notices, sometimes even close to the exam date or counselling period. Aspirants must make it a daily practice to check the official AIIMS website for the latest updates on seat allocation, eligibility, and counselling schedules.
• ​Strategic Choice Filling: During the Online Seat Allocation/Counselling, candidates must be highly strategic. Given the limited number of sponsored seats for MD Medicine at PGIMER, candidates should prioritize their choices carefully, listing other INIs (like JIPMER or other AIIMS) or slightly less competitive specialties as viable backups. A balanced and informed approach in choice filling is essential to maximize the probability of securing a seat.

​ Conclusion: Navigating the Competitive Landscape

​The reduction of one MD Medicine sponsored seat at PGIMER, Chandigarh, for the INI-CET January 2026 session is a definitive indication of the escalating competition in India's postgraduate medical admissions. For aspirants under the Sponsored Category, this news is a clear call to action: refine your preparation, ensure flawless documentation, and be prepared for a highly competitive counseling process. Success in the INI-CET requires not just academic brilliance, but also strategic awareness of all official announcements and seat matrix revisions. Given the reduced seats, the focus must shift to achieving an extraordinary performance in the examination. Stay focused, stay updated, and approach the final stages of your preparation with renewed determination to secure one of the precious five positions.

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