AIIMS INI CET Open Round Seat Allotment Scheduled Later in February
As of February 3, 2026, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, has confirmed that the seat allotment for the INI CET Open Round will take place later this month. This final round is designed to fill any remaining vacancies across the Institutes of National Importance, including AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, and NIMHANS. Candidates who did not secure a seat in the earlier rounds are eligible to participate, provided they meet the specific percentile requirements. This phase is highly anticipated by aspirants seeking residency in some of India's most prestigious medical research and training institutions.

Open Round Logistics and Eligibility Criteria
- Final Vacancy Pool: The open round typically includes seats that remained unoccupied after the first two rounds or were vacated by candidates opting for NEET PG placements.
- Registration Window: Eligible aspirants must register their choices on the AIIMS exams portal before the mid-February deadline to be considered.
- Deposit Requirements: A mandatory security deposit is often required for the open round to ensure that only serious candidates participate in this high-stakes allotment.
- Institute-Specific Seats: This round is crucial for residents looking for specialized research-oriented branches that are unique to the INI system.
- Document Authentication: Any candidate who has already joined a college must produce a resignation certificate or NOC to be eligible for this specific procedure.
Strategic Importance of the INI CET Final Phase
- Prestige of INIs: Securing a seat in this round allows residents to train at institutes like PGIMER Chandigarh, which are globally recognized for clinical excellence.
- Percentile Shifts: With the recent shifts in medical counselling dates, the open round rank cut-offs are expected to be more flexible than in previous sessions.
- Transparency in Allotment: AIIMS maintains a strictly merit-based procedure that is often cited as a benchmark for transparency in Indian medical admissions.
- Academic Cycle Integration: The goal of the February allotment is to ensure that all residents are integrated into the research projects by the start of the spring semester.
- Candidate Guidance: For those unsure of the process, the Careers360 INI CET Portal provides a detailed roadmap of previous year trends.
INI CET Open Round Overview (Feb 2026)
| Category | Detail | Requirement |
| Participating Institutes | AIIMS, JIPMER, NIMHANS | Valid INI CET Rank |
| Allotment Type | Merit-Cum-Choice | Online Choice Filling |
| Key Date | Late February 2026 | Open Round Result |
| Security Deposit | Refundable (Terms Apply) | Mandatory for Entry |
Conclusion
The announcement of the INI CET open round schedule today provides a vital lifeline for high-achieving aspirants who missed out on the initial allocation. Because the INIs represent the pinnacle of medical training in India, this final procedure is treated with extreme caution by the administration to ensure no seat goes to waste. The upcoming allotment will finalize the 2025-26 batch of residents, allowing these premier institutes to return their focus to advanced patient care and innovation. Candidates are urged to monitor the AIIMS News Section for real-time updates on the seat matrix. This process remains a cornerstone of the medical community's effort to provide specialized training to the best minds in the country.
