What is the minimum qualifying cutoff percentile for INI SS?

Candidates must secure at least the 50th percentile in the Stage-1 CBT to qualify for the Common Merit List (CML). For AIIMS seats, an aggregate of 50% marks across Stage 1 and Stage 2 is required.

How is the cutoff determined for AIIMS vs. other institutes?

For institutes like JIPMER, NIMHANS, and SCTIMST, cutoffs are based solely on Stage 1 (80 marks) . For AIIMS seats, cutoffs are calculated out of 100 marks (Stage 1 + Stage 2 Departmental Assessment).

What factors affect the INI SS cutoff each session?

Key factors include the total number of applicants, exam difficulty level, seat availability in specific super-specialties, and candidate reservation categories.

How is a tie resolved if two candidates have the same cutoff score?

Ties are resolved first by giving preference to the candidate with fewer negative marks in Stage 1. If the tie persists, the older candidate by age is ranked higher.

Where can I check the official INI SS cutoff ranks?

Official cutoff percentiles and closing ranks are published along with the merit list PDFs on the official AIIMS exam portal at aiimsexams.ac.in .

INI SS Cut Off 2026 - Minimum Qualifying Marks

INI SS Cut Off: Overview & Essential Details

The INI SS (Institute of National Importance Super Speciality) Cut Off represents the minimum score, rank, or percentile required by candidates to qualify for online seat allocation. Conducted bi-annually (for January and July sessions) by AIIMS, New Delhi, this entrance test grants admission into specialized post-doctoral programs—DM, M.Ch, and MD (Hospital Administration)—across top institutions including AIIMS campuses, PGIMER Chandigarh, JIPMER Puducherry, NIMHANS Bengaluru, and SCTIMST Thiruvananthapuram.

AIIMS releases the official cutoffs alongside the session-wise merit lists on its portal. Qualifying the cutoff is mandatory to participate in the choice-filling and seat allotment rounds.

Evaluation Scheme & Qualifying Criteria

The INI SS selection process is structured into two stages, with different scoring parameters applied depending on the participating institute:

Stage 1 (Computer-Based Written Test):

Total Marks: 80 Marks (80 Multiple-Choice Questions).

Duration: 90 Minutes.

Marking Scheme: +1 mark for correct answers, −1/3 mark for incorrect answers.

Scope: Required for all candidates across all participating institutions.

Stage 2 (Departmental Assessment - For AIIMS & PGIMER):

Total Marks: 20 Marks (Clinical/Practical assessment via video conference or departmental interaction).

Shortlisting: Candidates equal to three times (3×) the number of advertised seats at AIIMS/PGIMER are shortlisted for Stage 2 based on their Stage 1 performance.

Institution-Wise Qualifying Percentile & Scheme:

JIPMER, NIMHANS, & SCTIMST	Evaluated out of 80 Marks (Stage 1 Theory only)	50th Percentile (Common Merit List - CML)
AIIMS & PGIMER Chandigarh	Evaluated out of 100 Marks (Stage 1 [80 Marks] + Stage 2 [20 Marks])	50% aggregate marks across both stages (AIIMS Merit List - AML)

To be included in the merit list, candidates must score at least the 50th percentile in Stage 1. For AIIMS seats, candidates must additionally obtain at least 50% combined marks in Stage 1 and Stage 2.

Key Factors Determining the INI SS Cut Off

The closing ranks and cutoff percentiles fluctuate every academic session based on several variables:

Total Number of Test-Takers: A larger applicant pool in highly competitive specialities (e.g., DM Cardiology, DM Gastroenterology, M.Ch Urology) elevates the cutoffs.
Difficulty Level of the Exam: A tougher question paper lowers the raw score needed to attain the 50th percentile, whereas an easier paper raises raw score requirements.
Seat Availability & Matrix: The exact number of super-specialty seats advertised for general, sponsored, and foreign national candidates directly dictates the closing rank.
Institutional Preferences & Reservations: Seat distribution policies across individual institutes, combined with candidate choice preferences during counseling, significantly influence institute-wise closing ranks.

Tie-Breaking Rules for Cut Off Ranks

If two or more candidates secure equal overall marks in the INI SS evaluation, AIIMS resolves the tie using the following criteria in order:

Fewer Wrong Answers: Candidates who attempted fewer incorrect questions (higher accuracy rate) in Stage 1 receive the better rank.
Age Seniority: If a tie persists, the older candidate is placed higher in the merit list.

INISS Cut Off

INISS Counselling & Updates

INISS Counselling & Updates

INI SS Cut Off: Overview & Essential Details

Evaluation Scheme & Qualifying Criteria

Key Factors Determining the INI SS Cut Off

Tie-Breaking Rules for Cut Off Ranks

Commonly asked questions

Q: What is the minimum qualifying cutoff percentile for INI SS?

Q: How is the cutoff determined for AIIMS vs. other institutes?

Q: What factors affect the INI SS cutoff each session?

Q: How is a tie resolved if two candidates have the same cutoff score?

Q: Where can I check the official INI SS cutoff ranks?

Shivani Pal