Medical

AIIMS NORCET 2026

AIIMS NORCET 2026 exam is scheduled for Oct 2026 with 3,000+ vacancies.

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi

Mode

Online

Level

Graduate

Vacancies

3,000+

Fee

₹3,000 (₹2,400 for OBC, ₹0 for SC/ST/PwBD)

Last updated: July 4, 2026

Key dates

Notification Release

Jul 2026

Online Application Window

Jul – Aug 2026

Admit Card Release

Sep 2026

CBT Exam Date

Oct 2026

Result / Merit List

Nov 2026

Quick Summary

AIIMS NORCET 2026 is the national Nursing Officer recruitment exam conducted online by AIIMS New Delhi, with the CBT expected around October 2026 after applications close in August 2026. Eligible candidates need a B.Sc Nursing, Post-Basic B.Sc Nursing, or GNM qualification with valid State/Indian Nursing Council registration, and the exam consists of 200 MCQs in 3 hours with 0.25 negative marking, covering Nursing subjects, General Knowledge, English, Aptitude and Computer Knowledge. The score is used not only by AIIMS New Delhi but also by several other AIIMS institutes and central government hospitals to fill their own Nursing Officer vacancies, making the combined vacancy count often exceed 3,000 across participating institutes. Selected candidates join as Nursing Officers at Pay Level 7, making NORCET one of the most competitive and high-value government nursing exams in India.

Eligibility

B.Sc (Hons) Nursing / B.Sc Nursing / Post-Basic B.Sc Nursing from a recognized institute
OR GNM (General Nursing and Midwifery) with required post-qualification experience as specified in the notification
Valid registration as a Nurse and Midwife with State Nursing Council or Indian Nursing Council (INC)
Age limit: 18 to 30 years, with standard government age relaxation for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD/Ex-servicemen

Syllabus

Nursing subjects: Medical-Surgical Nursing, Community Health Nursing, Child Health/Pediatric Nursing
Obstetrics & Gynecological Nursing, Mental Health/Psychiatric Nursing, Nursing Research & Statistics
Nursing Management, Nursing Foundations, and recent advances in nursing practice
General Knowledge and Current Affairs
General English comprehension and grammar
General Aptitude/Reasoning and basic Computer Knowledge

Exam Pattern

Computer Based Test (CBT) conducted online in multiple shifts across cities
200 objective-type MCQs to be attempted in 3 hours
Weightage predominantly on Nursing subjects, with remaining marks from GK, English, Aptitude and Computer Knowledge
Negative marking of 1/4 mark (0.25) for each wrong answer
Final merit list based on CBT score followed by document verification

Exam overview

AIIMS NORCET (Nursing Officer Recruitment Common Eligibility Test) is a national-level computer-based exam conducted by AIIMS New Delhi to recruit Nursing Officers for AIIMS New Delhi as well as several other AIIMS institutes and central government hospitals/institutes that opt to fill their Nursing Officer vacancies using the NORCET score.

Held periodically as a recurring recruitment cycle, NORCET has become one of the most sought-after government nursing exams in India due to the sheer number of participating institutes, the large combined vacancy count, and the pay and service benefits associated with a Nursing Officer post at a premier central institute.

Preparation tip

Focus on previous year questions and standard textbooks. Medical exams require deep understanding of concepts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the eligibility criteria for AIIMS NORCET 2026?▼

Candidates need a B.Sc (Hons) Nursing, B.Sc Nursing, Post-Basic B.Sc Nursing, or GNM qualification along with valid registration as a Nurse and Midwife with a State Nursing Council or the Indian Nursing Council. GNM candidates are typically required to have relevant post-qualification experience as specified in the official notification. The general age limit is 18 to 30 years, with standard relaxation for reserved categories.

Which institutes accept the AIIMS NORCET score besides AIIMS New Delhi?▼

Several other AIIMS institutes (such as those at Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Jodhpur, Patna, Raipur, Rishikesh, and others) along with a number of central government hospitals and autonomous institutes have historically used the NORCET score to fill their own Nursing Officer vacancies within its validity period. The exact list of participating institutes is announced separately for each recruitment cycle, so candidates should check individual notifications.

Is there negative marking in NORCET?▼

Yes, AIIMS NORCET follows a negative marking scheme of 0.25 marks (1/4) deducted for every wrong answer in the 200-question CBT. There is no penalty for questions left unattempted, so candidates are generally advised to attempt only those questions they are reasonably confident about.

What is the salary of an AIIMS Nursing Officer?▼

An AIIMS Nursing Officer is recruited at Pay Level 7 of the 7th Central Pay Commission matrix, with a starting basic pay around ₹44,900, which along with DA, HRA, and other allowances typically results in an in-hand monthly salary in the range of ₹65,000 to ₹80,000 depending on the city and institute.

What is the validity of the NORCET score?▼

The validity of a given NORCET cycle score is specified in that cycle's official notification and is generally used by participating institutes to fill vacancies arising during that window. Candidates should refer to the specific NORCET notification under which they appeared to confirm the exact validity period and which institutes are drawing from that particular merit list.

How many times is NORCET conducted and can I reappear?▼

NORCET is conducted periodically as recurring cycles (commonly referred to by cycle number, e.g., NORCET-6, NORCET-7) rather than as a strict annual exam, with new cycles announced based on recruitment needs across participating institutes. Candidates meeting the eligibility criteria can appear in multiple cycles, and there is no restriction on the number of attempts.

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Official Website

https://www.aiimsexams.ac.in

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