AIIMS NORCET Selection Process 2026: Stages, Merit List and Seat Allocation

The AIIMS NORCET Selection Process 2026 includes two examination stages followed by seat allocation and document verification. Stage-I NORCET Preliminary is qualifying in nature, while Stage-II NORCET Main is used to prepare the final merit list.

For NORCET-11, you first need to qualify for Stage-I to appear in Stage-II, subject to the conditions given in the recruitment notice. After Stage-II, eligible candidates are considered for seat allocation based on merit and the choices they submit. Provisionally selected candidates then complete document verification at the respective AIIMS, institute or hospital.

AIIMS NORCET Selection Process 2026 Highlights

The selection process is completed through the following stages: 

Stage-I marks are not used to prepare the final merit or rank. The merit list is based on performance in Stage-II. 

Stage-I: NORCET Preliminary

Stage-I is the qualifying examination. You need to qualify at this stage to be considered for Stage-II, subject to the conditions mentioned in the recruitment notice.

The marks obtained in Stage-I are not included in the final merit or rank.

The examination is of 90 minutes and contains 100 multiple-choice questions for 100 marks. Out of the total questions, 20 are from General Knowledge and Aptitude. The remaining 80 questions are based on the Nursing course syllabus at the essential qualification level.

There is a negative marking of one-third mark for every wrong answer.

The paper is divided into five sections. Each section contains 20 questions and is allotted 18 minutes. Once the time for a section ends, the next section becomes active. You cannot return to an earlier section after moving to the next section.

Stage-I Qualifying Criteria

The qualifying percentile for Stage-I varies by category:

PWBD candidates receive an additional five-percentile relaxation irrespective of category.

Meeting the qualifying percentile alone does not automatically mean that you will be called for Stage-II. Candidates up to five times the total seats in each category are called for Stage-II, as per the notified scheme.

All qualified PWBD candidates are called for Stage-II. Candidates tied with the last candidate in the Stage-II list are also called.

Stage-II: NORCET Main

Stage-II is the main examination. Your performance in this stage is used to prepare the final merit list.

The examination has a duration of 180 minutes and contains 160 multiple-choice questions for 160 marks. The questions cover the complete syllabus of Nursing courses at the essential qualification level. The paper focuses on case scenario-based questions to assess nursing skills competency.

You need to meet the applicable qualifying percentage in Stage-II to be considered for the next steps of the recruitment process. 

Preparation of Merit List

The final merit list is prepared based on your performance in Stage-II NORCET Main.

If candidates have the same merit position, the following criteria are used to resolve the tie:

1. The candidate with fewer wrong answers or less negative marking in Stage-II gets the higher merit position.

2. If the tie continues, the candidate with higher marks in Stage-I gets the higher position.

3. If the tie still remains, fewer wrong answers or less negative marking in Stage-I is considered.

4. If the tie continues, the older candidate gets the higher position.

5. If the tie remains, alphabetical order of the candidate's name is considered, followed by the father's name and mother's name.

Stage-III: Seat Allocation and Choice Filling

After Stage-II, a merit list of qualified candidates is prepared. Candidates who are qualified and eligible for the participating institutes or hospitals are invited to submit their choices.

Seat allocation is made according to merit and the order of preferences submitted by you.

Generally, there will be one round of seat allocation. If you are allocated a seat from the choices you submitted, you are required to join the allocated seat, subject to the applicable eligibility conditions.

You should select only those institutes or hospitals where you are willing to join. Failure to join an allocated seat can lead to cancellation of your candidature for NORCET.

You must submit your choices within the specified period. If you do not submit your choices within the given time, you will not be considered for selection at a later stage.

You will also not be considered for institutes or posts for which you did not submit a preference.

Stage-IV: Document Verification

Candidates who are provisionally selected must complete document verification at the respective AIIMS, institute or hospital.

You need to submit the required original documents along with the specified copies.

The documents verified during this stage include:

• Registration slip and admit card

• Date of birth certificate

• Category certificate, where applicable

• PWBD certificate, where applicable

• Age relaxation certificate, where applicable

• No Objection Certificate (NOC), where applicable

• Educational qualification documents

• Experience certificate, where applicable

Your eligibility remains provisional until the required verification is completed.

Failure to submit an essential document can lead to cancellation of the allocated seat. Your identity and other eligibility conditions are also verified during this stage.

Merely appearing for the examination does not guarantee appointment. Similarly, qualifying the examination, being included in the merit list, or receiving provisional seat allocation does not guarantee appointment.

Final appointment is subject to verification by the respective participating institute or hospital.

Important Dates for NORCET-11

• Online Registration Starts: July 24, 2026

• Last Date to Apply: August 13, 2026, up to 5:00 PM

• Stage-I NORCET Preliminary Exam: September 12, 2026

• Stage-II NORCET Main Exam: September 30, 2026

You should follow the notified schedule and complete each stage within the specified timeline.

The selection process starts with the qualifying preliminary examination and moves to the main examination. After Stage-II, the merit list is prepared, followed by choice-based seat allocation and document verification. You should also check your eligibility, submit the required choices on time, and keep the required documents ready for verification.

Preparation Resources

• AIIMS NORCET Apply Online 

• AIIMS NORCET Eligibility Criteria 

• NORCET Exam Pattern 

• AIIMS NORCET PYQ

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