Getting a postgraduate medical seat at an AIIMS is a dream for many, but the competition is incredibly tough due to the limited number of seats. Total AIIMS PG Seats in India (MD/MS, DM/MCh, and MDS) is currently around 1,400. While AIIMS are constantly expanding and new institutes are opening up, the availability still feels very small compared to the huge number of aspiring doctors, making the entrance exams highly competitive.
MD / MS ADMISSION IN INDIA — STATE-WISE
Types of PG Courses Available at AIIMS
The total number of postgraduate (PG) seats across all AIIMS institutions in India is significant, typically around 1,400 for courses like MD, MS, and MDS. This number is dynamic and can change slightly with each admission cycle as new AIIMS open or existing ones adjust their capacity.
These coveted seats are filled through the INI CET exam, and the number is broken down across many AIIMS locations, with institutions like AIIMS New Delhi generally having the highest intake. The seats also cover many medical specialties, providing training opportunities for aspiring specialist doctors across the country.
AIIMS NEET PG Seat Distribution Across Specialties
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) uses the NEET PG examination to determine who gets into its highly sought-after postgraduate medical programs. The seat distribution is not uniform; instead, it is carefully allocated across many medical specialties. This includes high-demand fields like Radiology and General Medicine, as well as surgical branches such as Orthopedics and General Surgery. Each AIIMS branch, like AIIMS Delhi or AIIMS Jodhpur, has its own specific roster of seats based on available faculty and infrastructure.
The number of seats available in a specialty can vary significantly from year to year. Clinical subjects typically have more seats compared to non-clinical or pre-clinical subjects. Furthermore, AIIMS adheres to reservation policies (SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwBD), meaning a certain percentage of seats in every specialty is reserved.
Institute-Wise Breakdown of AIIMS NEET PG Seats
The breakdown of AIIMS’s NEET PG seats (now allocated through the INI-CET exam) shows that the number of seats varies significantly across its institutes. AIIMS New Delhi generally provides the highest number of seats, typically over 130, for many postgraduate courses like MD/MS. New and smaller AIIMS branches have a smaller pool of seats, which means competition is tougher there.
The seat distribution is also broken down by specific departments, like General Medicine or Radiodiagnosis, and adheres to government reservation policies (UR, OBC, SC, ST, EWS). This detailed, institute-wise breakdown is released before counseling to help candidates make informed choices based on their rank and preferred location/specialty.
Category-Wise Reservation of AIIMS NEET PG Seats
The allocation of AIIMS PG seats through the INI CET exam follows the Indian government’s reservation policy to make sure social equity. Seats are reserved for candidates from many categories: OBC (27%), SC (15%), ST (7.5%), and EWS (10%). The remaining seats are considered Unreserved (UR).
This system provides opportunities to historically disadvantaged groups, creating a more diverse pool of doctors. Additionally, a horizontal reservation of 5% is applied across all categories for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD). Final seat numbers vary by course and individual AIIMS, but the overall percentage quotas remain the governing principle.
Factors Affecting the Total Number of NEET PG Seats in AIIMS
The number of NEET PG seats (now through INI-CET) available in AIIMS institutions is mainly influenced by the capacity of each AIIMS center. Older, more established centers like AIIMS Delhi generally have more seats due to better infrastructure, a higher number of faculty, and greater patient load, which are essential for quality postgraduate training.
Also, the total seat count is strongly affected by Government of India policies and statutory reservations. A significant portion of the seats is reserved based on categories like SC, ST, OBC, and EWS, and there’s also an Institutional Preference (IP) quota for those who completed their MBBS at the same AIIMS. These reservations, along with decisions by the governing bodies, directly dictate the final number and distribution of seats available for candidates.
Changes in AIIMS NEET PG Seats Over Recent Years
The number of AIIMS NEET PG seats has seen a notable increase over recent years. This expansion is primarily due to the establishment of new AIIMS institutions across the country, wanting to improve healthcare access and postgraduate medical training capacity.
This growth reflects a national effort to address the shortage of specialist doctors. While the competition remains intense, the greater seat availability offers more opportunities for medical graduates aspiring to start specialization at these famous institutes.
How AIIMS Allocates NEET PG Seats Through INI-CET
AIIMS, along with places like JIPMER and PGIMER, uses its own specialized exam called the INI-CET (Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test). It’s their unique way of selecting the best medical candidates for their programs.
The actual seat allocation happens through an online counseling process conducted by AIIMS, New Delhi. Seats are strictly allotted based on your INI-CET rank, the choices of specialization and institute you fill, and the central reservation policies (SC, ST, OBC, EWS, etc.). It’s a fair, merit-based, and rank-driven system.
Future Expansion of NEET PG Seats in AIIMS
The government has big plans to increase the number of PG medical seats across all central institutions, including AIIMS, to meet the huge demand for specialist doctors. This expansion is part of a larger national scheme aimed at strengthening India’s healthcare system, especially in underserved areas, by boosting both the number of training slots and the overall quality of medical education.
This initiative is closely tied to the creation of 22 new AIIMS under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana. As these new institutions become fully operational with their academic wings and advanced facilities, they will naturally contribute a significant number of new postgraduate seats, thereby providing more opportunities for NEET PG qualified candidates to start specialized training.
FAQ’s
Ans- There are 20 AIIMS (All India Institutes of Medical Sciences) currently operational in India.
Ans- There are approximately 1,390 postgraduate (PG) seats across all AIIMS institutes in India.
Ans- AIIMS New Delhi has the highest number of AIIMS PG (MD/MS) seats — 175 as per the 2025 seat matrix.
Ans- Admission to AIIMS PG courses is through the AIIMS PG Entrance Exam, a national-level test for MD, MS, and MDS programs.
Conclusion
Total AIIMS PG Seats in India are highly coveted but limited, with around 1,400 seats across MD, MS, DM, MCh, and MDS courses. Admission is through the INI-CET exam, with seats distributed across specialties, institutes, and reservation categories. While competition is tough, recent expansions and the opening of new AIIMS aim to increase opportunities for aspiring specialists. With government plans to add more seats, the future promises better access best postgraduate medical training for doctors across the country.