NEET PG vs INI CET Exam is a constant debate in the minds of every Medico. Both NEET PG and INI CET are entrance exams for students planning to pursue further studies after completing MBBS. One major difference between these two exams is that INI CET is accepted at 22 institutions, including 18 AIIMS and JIPMER, PGIMER, NIMHANS, and SCTIMST, while the rest of the renowned colleges are included in NEET PG. The NEET PG 2025 Exam has been postponed. Earlier the exam was all set to be conducted on June 15, 2025. The new exam date is August 3, 2025. The INI CET July session exam was held on May 17, 2025.
Also, students planning to pursue a Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) after completing the BDS Course can either appear in
INI CET 2025
or NEET MDS, as NEET PG 2025 does not offer Dental Courses. The syllabus and types of questions asked in both exams are similar to one another, and there is no major difference noted. Apart from that, INI CET is conducted twice a year, whereas NEET PG is conducted once a year. To know more differences between the NEET PG and INI CET Exam, keep scrolling!
NEET PG vs INI CET Exam: Recent Updates
Recent updates for NEET PG and INI CET July session exams have been listed below, based on the latest notification released on the official websites.
- NEET PG Latest Update : The NEET PG 2025 exam has been postponed. Previously, the exam was set to be held on June 15, 2025. The NEET PG 2025 cutoff is likely to be released in August 2025.
- INI CET Latest Update : The INI CET July 2025 exam was conducted on May 19, 2025. The INI CET 2025 Result for July session will be released on May 24, 2025.
NEET PG vs INI CET Exam: Overview
One of the prominent differences between NEET PG and INI CET is the seat matrix, number of seats offered in INI CET is significantly less than NEET PG. Check out the table below to find out more such differences between NEET PG and INI CET Exam.
NEET PG vs INI CET Exam | ||
|---|---|---|
Particulars | NEET PG 2025 | INI CET 2025 Exam |
Full Form | National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Post-Graduation | Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test |
Exam Conducting Body | All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) | National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) |
Official Website | nbe.edu.in | aiimsexams.ac.in |
Exam Frequency | Once a Year | Twice a Year |
Courses Offered |
|
|
Number of Colleges Included | 769+ Colleges | 22 Colleges |
Seat Matrix | 42,717 seats (as per data recorded in 2023) | 1,337 seats (as per data recorded from INI CET 2025 January Session Exam) |
NEET PG vs INI CET Exam: Difficulty Level
Cracking NEET PG and INI CET is a milestone for aspiring postgraduate medical students. Success in these national-level entrance exams opens doors to prestigious medical colleges. Both tests demand rigorous preparation as they draw heavily from the MBBS curriculum.
NEET PG's strict marking contrasts with INI CET's complex options, yet their difficulty remains on par due to fierce competition and limited seats. Even though there are more chances of enrollment after cracking NEET PG due to its wider acceptance, owing to more participating colleges, INI CET offers access to a select few institutions.
In the NEET PG vs INI CET debate, both exams pose equal toughness but diverge in acceptance rates. To conclude, the difficulty level of both exams is the same. However, due to the lack of seats in INI CET, the competition is tougher when INI CET is compared to NEET PG.
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NEET PG and INI CET Exam: Application Process
There are several differences between the NEET PG and INI CET application processes. After the information bulletin is published on NBEMS's official website, NEET PG application forms are released on the same day. Applicants must register on nbe.edu.in with their email address and some basic details. The NEET PG application form can only be accessed with the registration ID and password that are created at the end of this process.
On the other hand, the INI CET application form link is made available on a separate PAAR registration portal of AIIMS, Delhi. Candidates need to complete the registration process in two steps, beginning with basic registration. Afterwards, they need to generate an Examination Unique Code (EUC), which is essential for the final registration process of the INI CET exam. Final registration is the last step to complete the INI CET application form.
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NEET PG vs INI CET Exam: Paper Pattern
NEET PG and INI CET exam’s paper pattern is similar in terms of marking system. Negative markings is followed in both entrance tests. NEET PG as well as INI CET consists of MCQ-based questions. The prime difference between the paper pattern of NEET PG and INI CET Exam is that there is more than one correct answer in INI CET examination.
Check out the table given below to know the exact difference between NEET PG vs INI CET Examination.
Particular | NEET PG | INI CET | Difference Found |
|---|---|---|---|
Language Medium | English | English | No |
Total Number of Questions | 200 | 200 | No |
Type of Questions | Objective Type (MCQ) | Objective Type (MCQ) - More than one correct answer can be marked | No |
Marking Scheme for Correct Answer | +4 | +1 mark for the single correct answer | Yes |
+1 mark for each correct answer marked during multiple responses | |||
Marking Scheme for Incorrect Answer | -1 | -1/3 mark or single correct response | Yes |
-1/ 3 mark for incorrect answers marked during multiple responses |
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NEET PG vs INI CET Exam: List of Colleges
Enlisted below are the names of colleges under the NEET PG and INI CET exams.
List of Colleges under NEET PG
A total of 769 Colleges accept the NEET PG score for admission in PG Medical Courses, a few top colleges among them are listed below.
Maharishi Markandeswar University (Deemed), Ambala , and 750+ more colleges
List of Colleges under INI CET Exam
There are only 22 colleges included in INI CET 2025 exam. Students must go through the complete list of colleges accepting INI CET score given below.
Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh
17 All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology
Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, Puducherry
Sri Muthukumaran Medical College Hospital & Research Institute
National Institute Of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru
Therefore, this was all about NEET PG vs INI CET Exam, it's evident that both serve as gateways to prestigious PG medical education. Despite similar syllabi, many differences can be seen in the list of participating colleges, exam patterns, marking systems, seat matrix, and competition levels, which set them apart. Ultimately, understanding the differences between NEET PG and INI CET Exam is crucial for informed decision-making and achieving success in the competitive medical landscape. For any queries regarding NEET PG vs INI CET Exam: What is the Difference? Log on to our CollegeDekho Q&A Zone or contact our toll-free helpline number 18005729877.
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FAQs
NEET PG and INI CET exams are different in terms of acceptance rates and competition as both exams are equally challenging, NEET PG has wider acceptance due to more participating colleges. On the other hand, INI CET offers access to a select few institutions, making competition tougher for aspirants.
The difference between the exam pattern of NEET PG and INI CET exam is mainly in the marking system. Both exams consist of MCQ-based questions, but INI CET may have questions with multiple correct answers, unlike NEET PG which typically features single correct answer questions. Also, one mark is deducted if an incorrect answer is marked in NEET PG whereas ⅓ mark is deducted for the same in INI CET.
Yes, the application process for PG and INI CET is different. NEET PG applications are submitted through the NBEMS portal, while INI CET applications are processed through the PAAR registration portal of AIIMS, Delhi.
NEET PG and INI CET differ in terms of offering as NEET PG primarily offers MD, MS, and PG diploma courses. On the other hand, INI CET includes courses such as MD, MS, MCh, DM, and MDS programs.
The main differences between NEET PG and INI CET are in terms of participating colleges, course offerings, and frequency of examination. NEET PG covers more colleges while INI CET offers access to top institutions. For more differences, check out NEET PG vs INI CET Exam details provided above.
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