The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has officially transitioned into the data validation stage for the INI-CET January 2026 Open Round. Following a significant extension that allowed candidates to finalize their choice-filling until February 7, the portal is now closed for new entries and preference edits. This "Open Round" serves as the terminal opportunity for qualified doctors to secure clinical and non-clinical seats at the Institutes of National Importance (INIs) across the country.
- Registration Status: The online registration window and the facility for choice locking successfully concluded at 5:00 PM on February 7, 2026.
- Security Deposit Verification: The Examination Section is currently verifying the status of the mandatory ₹3 lakh security deposit required for participation in this round.
- Participant Eligibility: Only those who qualified in the November 2025 entrance test and have not joined any seat in Round 1 or Round 2 are being considered for this final Allotment.
- Institute Scope: The current Counselling cycle includes seats at all 19 AIIMS campuses, JIPMER Puducherry, NIMHANS Bengaluru, PGIMER Chandigarh, and SCTIMST Trivandrum.
Schedule for Final Allotment and Physical Joining
With the registration data now under review, the AIIMS administrative body has confirmed the timeline for the final stages of the January 2026 session. Unlike previous rounds, the Open Round involves high-stakes financial commitments and strict reporting protocols designed to prevent seat wastage in specialized Residency programs. Candidates are advised to keep their original documents ready for the narrow Reporting window that follows the result publication.
| Event / Activity | Official Scheduled Date (2026) |
| Final Verification of Vacant Seat Matrix | February 14 |
| Announcement of Open Round Allotment | February 21 |
| Online Acceptance of Allocated Seat | February 23 – February 28 |
| Physical Reporting & Document Submission | February 23 – February 28 |
- Result Format: The allotment will be released in a PDF merit list format on the official AIIMS Exam Portal.
- Deposit Refund: Candidates not allotted any seat in this round will have their security deposit refunded to the original payment source after the session closes.
- Forfeiture Clause: Failure to join an allotted seat in this round results in the immediate forfeiture of the ₹3 lakh deposit.
- Academic Commencement: Successful candidates are expected to join their respective departments immediately, as the 2026 academic session is already in progress.
Conclusion
The INI-CET January 2026 cycle is nearing its definitive end, with the Open Round serving as the final gateway for high-level medical specialization in India. As of February 14, the focus remains on ensuring a transparent and merit-based Allotment of the remaining vacancies. The high-value security deposit and the mandatory physical Reporting protocols emphasize the importance of this round in filling every available Residency spot. For the hundreds of doctors awaiting the February 21 results, this period represents a final transition toward becoming specialized practitioners. The coordination between AIIMS New Delhi and other participating institutes ensures that the Counselling process maintains its reputation for integrity and excellence as the new academic year stabilizes.
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