INI SS 2026 counselling is the final stage of the admission process for DM, MCh and MD Hospital Administration seats in AIIMS and other Institutes of National Importance.

AIIMS conducts centralised online counselling twice a year (January and July), inviting only those candidates whose names appear in the INI SS merit list and who have secured the qualifying marks.

For the July 2026 session, the INI SS CBT exam will be held on 25th April 2026 and results are expected in May/June 2026.

Online institute allocation rounds (1st, 2nd and open round) will be held after the result, with dates notified separately; the pattern of rounds will be similar to the January session.

1. Result & Merit List: Check INI SS result and note your rank in CML/AML merit lists.
2. Online Registration: Log in to the AIIMS counselling portal using your credentials and register for INI SS counselling.
3. Choice Filling: Select participating INIs and super speciality courses (DM/MCh/MD HA) in order of preference and save choices.
4. Choice Locking: Lock your final preferences before the deadline; unlocked choices may be auto-locked after cut-off time.
5. Institute Allocation: AIIMS publishes round-wise allocation results based on rank, preferences, reservation and seat availability.
6. Online Acceptance: Accept the allotted institute/seat online within the specified time window.
7. Reporting & Fee: Report to the allotted institute with originals, submit security deposit/admission fee and complete verification.

Common Merit List (CML)

• Prepared from Stage I exam performance for all eligible candidates.
• Assigns an overall rank to each candidate and is used for seat allocation across all participating INIs.

AIIMS Merit List (AML)

• Used exclusively for seat allocation in AIIMS institutes.
• Based on combined marks of Stage I and Stage II for qualified candidates, with separate overall ranks within AIIMS pool.

• Allocation is done strictly on the basis of overall rank in CML/AML, reservation category and choices filled in the online counselling form.
• Only eligible candidates are allowed to fill institute preferences, and seats are non-convertible/non-interchangeable between subgroups except where specifically permitted by rules.
• Candidates can participate in subsequent rounds for upgradation as per AIIMS counselling guidelines.

Reservation (excluding sponsored/foreign national seats) will follow Government of India norms for the following categories:

• Class 10 and 12 mark sheets/certificates.
• INI SS 2026 registration slip.
• Recent passport-size photographs.
• Scanned signature and thumb impression (as per AIIMS specifications).
• INI SS 2026 offer/allotment letter (printout from portal).
• MBBS/BDS degree and all relevant postgraduate degree certificates (MD/MS/DNB) as applicable.
• INI SS 2026 admit card.
• Caste/category certificates: SC/ST/OBC (NCL)/EWS, PwD certificate if applicable.
• Valid photo ID proof (Aadhaar/PAN/Passport/Driving licence).
• Any other documents specified by the allotted institute for verification.

• Admission is finalised after successful institute allocation, online acceptance and in-person reporting with document verification.
• Seats are allotted based on exam performance, rank, preference order and category; admission for different PG medical courses begins immediately after counselling rounds.
• Failure to complete reporting or to meet eligibility conditions may result in cancellation of the allotted seat.

1. When will INI SS 2026 January counselling start?

Counselling for the January 2026 DM/MCh session will begin online in December 2025, soon after the publication of merit lists and allocation schedule.

2. How many rounds of counselling are there?

There are typically three regular online institute allocation rounds followed by an open round for remaining seats.

3. Is offline counselling allowed?

No, the entire institute allocation process is conducted online; physical presence is required only at the time of reporting to the allotted institute.

4. Can I change my preferences after locking choices?

Preferences cannot be modified after the choice-locking deadline for that round, so candidates should review options carefully before locking.