PGIMER 2025 Eligibility Criteria – Age, Qualification, Attempts & Reservation

Checking your eligibility for the PGIMER Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Entrance Exam for the 2025-26 academic year is the first step toward a successful application. As per AIIMS New Delhi, the conducting body for INI CET and INI SS which are the primary entrance exams for PGIMER's postgraduate courses, candidates for MD and MS programs must have completed an MBBS degree from an institution recognized by the Medical Council of India. Aspirants for MDS programs require a BDS degree. For super-specialty courses such as DM and M.Ch, candidates must hold an MD, MS, or DNB degree in the relevant specialty. A minimum of 55% aggregate marks is generally required for General, Other Backward Classes - Non Creamy Layer, and Economically Weaker Section candidates in their qualifying degree, while Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates typically need at least 50%. Foreign applicants also require a minimum of 55% aggregate marks. Final-year students are often permitted to apply provisionally, provided they complete their 12-month compulsory rotating internship or practical training on or before January 31, 2025, for the January session or July 31, 2025, for the July session. Certain programs, like DM and M.Ch, have strict subject-specific requirements, necessitating a particular postgraduate feeder qualification. By confirming your eligibility early, you can avoid last-minute hurdles and apply with confidence.

Before applying for the PGIMER Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Entrance Exam for the 2025-26 academic year, it’s important to check the age criteria set by AIIMS New Delhi, the conducting body for INI CET and INI SS. For MD, MS, and MDS courses, there is generally no strict upper age limit. However, for DM and M.Ch super-specialty courses, an upper age limit of 45 years applies as of January 1, 2026. There is no specific minimum age mentioned, as eligibility is primarily based on the completion of the required medical degree and internship. Age relaxations are applicable for reserved categories in the DM and M.Ch programs. Candidates belonging to Other Backward Classes - Non Creamy Layer receive a relaxation of 3 years, and Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates are eligible for a 5-year relaxation beyond the stated upper age limit. Knowing the age rules in advance ensures you apply within the permitted criteria and make full use of any relaxation benefits.

The PGIMER Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Entrance Exam for the 2025-26 academic year offers relaxations for candidates belonging to specific reserved categories as per AIIMS New Delhi guidelines. Benefits may include reservations in seats and reduced qualifying marks. Seats are reserved for Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Other Backward Classes - Non Creamy Layer, Economically Weaker Section, and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities categories, aligning with Government of India instructions. For instance, while general category candidates generally require 55% in qualifying exams, SC, ST, Persons with Benchmark Disabilities, and Bhutanese Nationals may qualify with 50% marks or a 45th percentile in the INI CET. To avail these benefits, candidates must upload valid and up-to-date category certificates during the application process. Verification will follow the official protocol set by AIIMS New Delhi during the counseling process. By understanding and following the process, eligible candidates can make full use of the category-based benefits available for the PGIMER Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Entrance Exam.

The PGIMER Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Entrance Exam for the 2025-26 academic year is open to Indian citizens and valid Overseas Citizen of India card holders as per AIIMS New Delhi rules. As PGIMER is an Institute of National Importance, there are no specific state-level domicile requirements for admission to its MD, MS, MDS, DM, or M.Ch courses, which are offered through national-level entrance examinations. For foreign applicants, specific guidelines apply. Foreign Nationals are required to apply through the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi. They must also appear in and qualify the entrance examination alongside other candidates. Separate merit lists are prepared for foreign nationals seeking admission to MD and MS courses. Additionally, foreign doctors are typically required to furnish a certificate of temporary registration with the Medical Council of India for the duration of their studies. By understanding these rules early, candidates can ensure they meet the required nationality or domicile conditions before applying.

Before preparing for the PGIMER Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Entrance Exam for the 2025-26 academic year, it’s essential to know if there’s a cap on the number of attempts. Most national-level medical postgraduate entrance exams, including the PGIMER MD/MS entrance examination conducted via INI CET, typically do not impose a limit on the number of attempts. Therefore, for the PGIMER Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Entrance Exam, candidates generally have unlimited attempts. This policy differs from some other competitive examinations, such as the UPSC Civil Services Exam or JEE Advanced, which specify a maximum number of attempts. Since there is no maximum number of allowed attempts for this examination, category-based relaxations for attempt limits are not applicable. Being aware of attempt limits helps you plan your preparation strategy effectively and avoid exhausting your chances prematurely.