For aspiring medical professionals in India, navigating post-graduate entrance exams can be daunting. Two prominent exams in this arena are NEET PG and INI CET. While both serve as pathways to post-graduate medical education, they have distinct features that candidates should be aware of.

NEET PG, conducted annually by the National Board of Examinations (NBE), offers admissions to MD, Ms and PG Diploma courses across India, including postgraduate DNB programs.

In contrast, INI CET is administered by AIIMS and focuses on admissions to MD, MS, and specialized programs in institutions of national importance.

Understanding these differences is vital for candidates planning their postgraduate medical careers.

Conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, INI CET provides admission to postgraduate courses such as Master of Surgery (MS), Doctor of Medicine (MD), Master of Dental Surgery (MDS), Doctorate of Medicine (DM), and Master of Chirurgie (MCh). It covers 22 institutions, including 18 AIIMS across the country, as well as JIPMER (Puducherry), PGIMER (Chandigarh), NIMHANS (Bengaluru), and SCTIMST (Trivandrum).

As both NEET PG and INI CET are postgraduate-level entrance exams, candidates often feel confused about the specifics. Many may not be

familiar with the conducting agencies, exam patterns, marking systems, and other essential details. Read the complete article to gain a clear understanding of the differences and key information regarding NEET PG and INI CET.

What is INI CET exam?

The INI CET, or Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test, is held twice a year for the January and July sessions. The INI CET 2025 exam is set for November 10, 2024, with registration starting on September 5, 2024.

What is NEET PG exam?

The full form of NEET PG is National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Post- Graduation. This annual exam is conducted in a computer-based format for admission to MD and MS courses in medical colleges. The NEET PG 2024 exam took place on August 11, 2024, after being postponed from its original date of June 23 due to allegations of a question paper leak in the NEET 2024 exam.

Particulars	NEET PG	INI CET
Exam Name	National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Post- Graduate courses (NEET PG)	Institute of National Importance combined Entrance Test
Competent authority	National Board of Examination (NBE)	AIIMS, New Delhi
Courses offered	MD/MS/PG Diploma/DNB post-MBBS	MD, MS, DM, M.Ch, MDS
Level of the examination	Postgraduate	Postgraduate
Frequency of the examination	Once in a year	Twice a year (January and July)

Mode of the examination	Online	Online
Duration of examination	210 minutes	180 minutes
Exam website	neetpg@nbe.edu.in	aiimsexams.ac.in

INI CET and NEET PG: Latest Updates

The NEET PG 2024 exam took place on August 11, 2024, with results announced by the NBE on August 23, 2024. Registration for NEET PG 2024 counseling commenced on September 20, 2024. In parallel, the INI CET 2025 January session exam is scheduled for November 10, 2024, and AIIMS has already initiated basic registration for INI CET 2025.

NEET PG vs INI CET: Difference in the application process

The application process for NEET PG is relatively straightforward, while the INI CET application process is more complex.

NEET PG Application Process:

The process begins with registration on the official NBE website. Candidates can log in using their registration ID and password to complete the application form. To finalize their application, candidates must upload scanned copies of their photographs and signatures, as well as pay a non-refundable application fee.

INI CET Application Process:

The INI CET application process consists of two stages: basic registration and final registration, followed by the generation of an Exam Unique Code (EUC). The conducting body has implemented the Prospective Applicants Advanced Registration (PAAR) system, allowing candidates to select multiple courses simultaneously.

The first step involves basic registration on the AIIMS Delhi official website, where candidates must provide a valid email ID and mobile number. They should then verify the provisional status of their registration. Only candidates whose basic registration is

accepted can generate the Registration Unique Code (RUC), which is mandatory for proceeding with the final registration.

NEET PG vs INI CET: Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme

Candidates preparing for the NEET PG and INI CET exams should thoroughly understand the exam pattern and marking scheme, which encompass the syllabus, question types and numbers, and exam duration.

Last year, the NBE implemented significant changes to the NEET PG exam pattern, including adjustments to the application fee, an increase in the number of test centers, modifications to the total number of questions, and updates to tie-breaking parameters.

The NEET PG syllabus is particularly important, as it follows the subject areas outlined in the Graduate Medical Education Regulations by the Medical Council of India.

Candidates should carefully review the subject-wise topics and their respective weightage. The NEET PG 2024 test paper will consist of 200 multiple-choice questions, totaling 800 marks, with a duration of 3.5 hours. It’s important to note that there will be negative marking for incorrect answers.

For candidates sitting for the July session of INI CET 2024, understanding the exam pattern is crucial. The INI CET 2024 will be conducted in an online format, featuring 200 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 3 hours. The test paper will include both single correct answer and multiple correct answer questions. According to the marking scheme, candidates will receive 1 mark for each correct answer and incur a penalty of 1/3 mark for incorrect responses.

It is essential to recognize that NEET PG is conducted annually, while INI CET is held twice a year, for the January and July sessions.

Institutions that accept NEET PG or INI CET score

Here’s a concise overview of institutions that accept NEET PG and INI CET scores:

Institutions Accepting NEET PG Scores

1. Government Medical Colleges: Various state and central government medical colleges across India.
2. Private Medical Colleges: Numerous private institutions offering MD, MS, and PG Diploma courses.
3. DNB (Diplomate of National Board) Courses: Hospitals and institutions affiliated with the National Board of Examinations.

Institutions Accepting INI CET Scores

1. All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS): All AIIMS locations across India.

JIPMER (Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research): Puducherry.

1. PGIMER (Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research): Chandigarh.

NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences): Bengaluru.

1. SCTIMST (Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology): Trivandrum.

Both NEET PG and INI CET scores are crucial for gaining admission into postgraduate medical programs in these prestigious institutions.

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