NEET PG vs INI-CET
Exam Comparison
Overview
NEET PG and INI-CET are parallel postgraduate entrance exams in India. NEET PG covers the vast majority of Indian medical college seats, while INI-CET is exclusively for the prestigious Institutes of National Importance (AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER). Most serious candidates prepare for and attempt both.
Exam Profiles
NEET PG
National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate
Full Name
National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate
Country
India
Eligibility
MBBS graduates who have completed internship
Format
200 single best answer MCQs across all MBBS subjects (3 hours 30 min, computer-based)
Pass Mark
Variable cut-off (50th percentile general category); rank-based allocation
Cost
INR 4,500 (~GBP 45)
Frequency
Once per year
Career Path
MD/MS/diploma admission in all Indian medical colleges EXCEPT INIs (AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, NIMHANS, SCTIMST)
INI-CET
Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test
Full Name
Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test
Country
India
Eligibility
MBBS graduates who have completed internship (same as NEET PG)
Format
200 MCQs (mix of single best answer and assertion-reasoning) across all subjects (3 hours, computer-based)
Pass Mark
Variable cut-off; rank-based allocation (significantly fewer seats than NEET PG)
Cost
INR 5,000 (~GBP 50) general category
Frequency
Twice per year (May and November sessions)
Career Path
MD/MS/DM/MCh admission at Institutes of National Importance: AIIMS (all campuses), JIPMER, PGIMER, NIMHANS, SCTIMST
Key Differences
| Category | NEET PG | INI-CET |
|---|---|---|
| Conducting body | NBE (National Board of Examinations) | AIIMS (on behalf of all INIs) |
| Colleges covered | All government and private medical colleges except INIs | Only INIs: AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, NIMHANS, SCTIMST |
| Number of seats | ~45,000+ seats across India | ~2,000-3,000 seats across all INI campuses |
| Competitiveness | Very competitive but more seats available | Extremely competitive — far fewer seats |
| Question pattern | SBAs only | SBAs + assertion-reasoning questions |
| Exam frequency | Once per year | Twice per year (two chances) |
| Super-specialty access | PG seats only (MD/MS); separate NEET-SS for super-specialty | Both PG (MD/MS) and super-specialty (DM/MCh) seats |
Conducting body
NBE (National Board of Examinations)
AIIMS (on behalf of all INIs)
Colleges covered
All government and private medical colleges except INIs
Only INIs: AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, NIMHANS, SCTIMST
Number of seats
~45,000+ seats across India
~2,000-3,000 seats across all INI campuses
Competitiveness
Very competitive but more seats available
Extremely competitive — far fewer seats
Question pattern
SBAs only
SBAs + assertion-reasoning questions
Exam frequency
Once per year
Twice per year (two chances)
Super-specialty access
PG seats only (MD/MS); separate NEET-SS for super-specialty
Both PG (MD/MS) and super-specialty (DM/MCh) seats
Our Verdict
Prepare for both. NEET PG gives access to the broadest range of seats across India. INI-CET gives access to the most prestigious institutions (AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER). The preparation overlap is substantial. Most candidates attempt both to maximise their chances of a good specialty allocation.
Disclaimer: Exam details, costs, and formats are based on the most recent publicly available information and may change. Always verify directly with the examining body (GMC, NBME, NBE, Royal Colleges) before making decisions.
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