NEET PG vs INI CET 2025: Key Differences You Must Know!
Compare NEET PG 2025 vs INI CET 2025 in terms of eligibility, exam pattern, colleges, and difficulty to plan your postgraduate medical journey smartly.

NEET PG vs INI CET 2025: Postgraduate medical entrance exam candidates frequently encounter the two popular postgraduate medical courses which are NEET PG 2025 and INI CET 2025. These entrance exams guide students to leading MD/MS/DNB programs yet possess separate frameworks as well as different entry criteria and challenges for applicants. Your medical career depends on understanding the distinct characteristics of these two tests.
Hence, we need to examine all the major differences between NEET PG 2025 and INI CET 2025. But before understanding NEET PG vs INI CET 2025, first understand what they mean separately.
What is NEET PG 2025?
The aim of NEET PG 2025 is to let MBBS graduates enter MD/MS/PG Diploma courses in Indian medical institutes that do not include premier institutions such as AIIMS and JIPMER. The National Board of Examinations functions as the exam organising authority for NEET PG 2025. MBBS graduates with a valid provisional or permanent medical registration are eligible for NEET PG 2025. The test format for NEET PG consists of a single exam day using computer technology where candidates must answer 200 Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs).
Read More: NEET PG 2025 Registration
What is INI CET 2025?
Through INI CET 2025 members of the postgraduate programs seek admission to AIIMS PGIMER and JIPMER and NIMHANS educational institutions at the top level. AIIMS, New Delhi is the organising authority of the postgraduate medical training. The admission requires MBBS graduates from recognised institutions to meet a minimum score requirement where General category students need a 55% mark and reserved categories need a 50% score. It is a computer-based exam with approximately 200 questions within its format.
NEET PG vs INI CET 2025: At a Glance
The table below will help you to understand the differences between NEET PG 2025 and INI CET 2025 at a glance.
Feature |
NEET PG 2025 |
INI CET 2025 |
Conducting Body |
National Board of Examinations (NBE) |
AIIMS, New Delhi |
Purpose |
Admission to MD/MS/DNB/PG Diploma courses |
Admission to PG courses at AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, NIMHANS |
Eligibility |
MBBS degree + Internship |
MBBS degree + Internship with minimum % requirement |
Exam Frequency |
Once a year |
Twice a year (Jan and July sessions) |
Exam Mode |
Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
Number of Questions |
200 MCQs |
~200 MCQs |
Exam Duration |
3.5 hours |
3 hours |
Marking Scheme |
+4 for correct, -1 for wrong answer |
+1 for correct, -⅓ for wrong answer |
Participating Institutes |
Most government and private colleges (except AIIMS, JIPMER, etc.) |
AIIMS campuses, PGIMER, JIPMER, NIMHANS, etc. |
Difficulty Level |
Moderate to High |
High (more conceptual and clinical-based) |
Application Fee (General) |
Approx ₹4,250 |
Approx ₹2,000 |
Counseling Process |
MCC for AIQ, State Quotas separately |
AIIMS centralised counselling |
Official Websites |
Read More: NEET PG Exam Centres 2025
NEET PG vs INI CET 2025: Exam Pattern Comparison
Feature |
NEET PG 2025 |
INI CET 2025 |
No. of Questions |
200 |
~200 |
Question Type |
Single correct MCQs |
Single/Multiple correct MCQs |
Duration |
3.5 hours |
3 hours |
Marking Scheme |
+4 for correct, -1 for wrong |
+1 for correct, -⅓ for wrong |
Read More: NEET PG 2025 Two-Shift Format Controversy
NEET PG vs INI CET 2025: Syllabus Difference
- All the 19 MBBS subjects from Pre-clinical and Para-Clinical and Clinical programs fall under NEET PG syllabus requirements.
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INI CET focuses on key clinical subjects like Medicine, Surgery, and associated subfields, with in-depth application-based questions.
NEET PG Vs INI CET 2025: Admission Process
- The NEET PG admission process uses centralised counselling through the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) for All India Quota seats as well as state-level counselling for state quota student admissions.
-
The centralised admission process for all participating institutes exists under the management of AIIMS New Delhi as INI CET.
NEET PG Or INI CET: Which is Tougher?
The statistical evidence suggests INI CET is the tougher exam because it offers few seats and a stringent candidate-selection process and challenging clinical questions in its exam. The competitive nature of NEET PG does not limit admission possibilities to certain Indian territories as it covers the entire nation.
Important Dates for NEET PG and INI CET 2025
Event |
NEET PG 2025 |
INI CET 2025 |
Application Start |
April 17, 2025 |
March 10, 2025 (July Session) |
Application Last Date |
May 7, 2025 |
April 15, 2025 |
Exam Date |
June 15, 2025 |
May 17 2025 (July Session) |
Result Declaration |
July 15, 2025 |
June 2025 |
Note: Candidates should frequently visit the official websites of the conducting authorities to check the latest updates of their respective exams.
NEET PG 2025 Vs INI CET 2025: College List
The admission process for MD, MS, DNB and PG Diploma courses uses NEET PG 2025 test results through 769 Indian medical colleges. The leading medical institutes accepting NEET PG 2025 scores include Aligarh Muslim University together with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University (Agra University) along with JSS University in Mysore along with KIIT University in Bhubaneswar and King George’s Medical University in Lucknow. The NEET PG counselling 2025 takes place at Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Ambala and multiple state government and private colleges including different deemed universities. The combination of NEET PG rank position and candidate preferences allows medical students to attend government or private institutions from highly reputed colleges.
The INI CET 2025 exam requires students to compete against other candidates because its scores are valid at just 22 highly regarded institutions. The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER) Chandigarh and 17 AIIMS campuses including AIIMS Delhi along with AIIMS Jodhpur and AIIMS Rishikesh among others are prestigious institutes accepting INI CET 2025 scores. The Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology along with the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER) in Puducherry operate as elite institute members. Such institutions maintain impressive academic standards combined with advanced physical spaces and authentic medical practice opportunities.
Read More: NEET PG Seats in India 2025
Tips for Choosing Between NEET PG and INI CET
- Students who want admission at AIIMS and PGIMER and JIPMER and NIMHANS should concentrate their preparation on INI CET.
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Individuals who excel in clinical case-based preparation should consider taking INI CET instead.
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Several test-takers try both examinations because it increases their total opportunity for success.
You need to be updated with official announcements together with an early preparation timeline to achieve success in NEET PG 2025 and INI CET 2025. You can also check our latest articles on NEET 2025 category at NEETCoachingSikar to get the latest news and info on NEET PG 2025.
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