The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, has officially transitioned into the post-registration phase for the INI-CET January 2026 Open Round. Following a critical extension that pushed the registration and choice-filling deadline to February 7, 2026, the portal is now closed for new entries. This "Open Round" serves as the final opportunity for qualified doctors to secure a residency spot in MD, MS, MCh (6 years), DM (6 years), and MDS courses at premier medical institutions across the country.
Revised Timeline and Post-Registration Activities
With the registration window now shut, the AIIMS examination section is focused on validating candidate data and processing the final seat allocation. This year’s revised schedule was implemented to allow aspirants more time to exercise their preference of subjects and institutes. The Official AIIMS Exam Portal will serve as the primary source for the merit list publication, which is eagerly awaited by thousands of candidates who missed out in earlier counseling rounds.
| Key Event | Revised Date (Jan 2026 Session) | Status |
| Extended Registration & Choice Filling | Jan 23 – Feb 7, 2026 (5:00 PM) | Completed |
| Announcement of Open Round Allotment | February 21, 2026 | Upcoming |
| Online Acceptance of Allotted Seat | February 23 – 28, 2026 | Scheduled |
| Physical Reporting at Allotted Institute | February 23 – 28, 2026 | Scheduled |
- Candidates are reminded that the Open Round is a mandatory physical reporting phase for those who are allotted a seat.
- The choice-filling process allowed students to edit their preference list multiple times until the system-lock occurred on February 7.
- A security deposit of ₹3 lakh was a mandatory requirement for participation in this "spot" allocation round to prevent seat wasting.
Participation of Premier Institutes of National Importance
The INI-CET covers some of the most prestigious medical schools in the world. The current allocation process includes seats not just at various AIIMS campuses, but also at PGIMER Chandigarh, JIPMER Puducherry, NIMHANS Bengaluru, and SCTIMST Trivandrum. For those aiming for a residency in highly specialized fields, this round is the last chance for the January session. According to the Times of India, the extension of the deadline has significantly increased the candidate pool, making this round highly competitive for premier seats.
- Seat Matrix: The open round typically features "leftover" seats from Round 1 and Round 2, including those vacated due to non-reporting.
- Eligibility: Only those who qualified in the INI-CET entrance exam held in November 2025 are eligible for this final allocation.
- Document Readiness: Candidates must keep their original certificates ready, as the reporting window between February 23 and 28 is extremely narrow.
Financial Implications and Security Deposits
One of the distinct features of the Open Round is the high-value security deposit. To ensure only serious applicants remain in the fray, the mandatory deposit of ₹3 lakh is held by AIIMS. If a candidate is allotted a seat but fails to join the premier institute, this amount is forfeited. However, for those who are not allotted any seat, the refund process will initiate shortly after the session concludes. This ensures a level of accountability in the residency selection process that is unique to the Institutes of National Importance.
Conclusion
As of February 9, the focus now shifts to February 21, the date of the final results. Candidates who have locked their preference of courses are advised to maintain a constant vigil on the official website. The INI-CET January 2026 cycle is nearing its final chapter, and the successful completion of this Open Round allocation will mark the beginning of the academic journey for hundreds of new specialists. Ensure all logistical arrangements are in place to meet the physical reporting deadline once the results are declared.
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