The AIIMS B.Sc. Paramedical entrance exam 2026 is scheduled for 4 July 2026. The application window ran from 25 March to 24 April 2026. The result will be declared on 10 July 2026. If you applied, your score on this single exam determines admission to paramedical courses at 19 AIIMS campuses across India. If you are reading this after the deadline, the next cycle will open in early 2027 - everything below tells you what to expect and how the system works.

This is not NEET. You do not need a NEET score to apply. AIIMS conducts its own entrance test for B.Sc. (Hons.) paramedical programmes, independent of MCC counselling. Your rank on this test decides where you study.

Why AIIMS Paramedical Matters

An AIIMS paramedical degree gives you three things that are hard to find together anywhere else in India: clinical training inside AIIMS hospitals, a degree that carries the AIIMS name, and fees so low they barely register - tuition runs between ₹600 and ₹1,200 per year.

The courses train you for specific healthcare roles: medical laboratory technologist, radiographer, operation theatre technologist, optometrist, anaesthesia technician, perfusionist, and more. These are not generic science degrees. They are professional qualifications that make you employable the day you graduate. Government hospitals, corporate chains, diagnostic labs, and overseas employers actively recruit AIIMS paramedical graduates.

AIIMS Paramedical 2026 - Key Dates at a Glance

The official notification was released on 25 March 2026. Here is the timeline:

The exam runs for 90 minutes, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM, in computer-based test (CBT) mode across 14 cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Patna, Guwahati, and others.

Participating AIIMS Campuses - Where Your Score Can Take You

Nineteen AIIMS campuses participate in the paramedical admissions process. The course offerings vary by campus - Delhi offers the widest range, while newer campuses offer a more focused selection.

Not every campus offers every course. Before you fill counselling preferences, verify from the official prospectus that the campus you want actually runs the programme you want.

The Seat Matrix - What Is Available in 2026

The AIIMS paramedical seat matrix for 2026 is the most important document you will look at after your result. Across all 88 courses offered by participating AIIMS campuses, the total seat count is approximately 725. AIIMS New Delhi contributes the largest single share, with courses like Operation Theatre Technology (20 seats), Medical Radiology & Imaging Technology (11 seats), and Dental Hygiene and DORA (2 seats each).

Some seats are highly concentrated. A single campus may offer only 2 seats in a specialised course like Perfusion Technology or Endoscopy. That means rank matters enormously. A difference of 50 ranks can shift you from your preferred campus and course to an entirely different city.

The category-wise reservation follows the central government pattern: approximately 40.5% UR, 27% OBC-NCL, 15% SC, 7.5% ST, and 10% EWS. Horizontal reservation of 5% for PwBD candidates applies across categories.

For B.Sc. Nursing (Hons.) - which is a separate exam but worth mentioning because students often ask - the total seats across 19 campuses are 1,366 for female candidates only. That exam was held on 28 June 2026 and its counselling runs on a separate track. You cannot use your B.Sc. Paramedical rank to claim a Nursing seat.

Eligibility - What You Must Have, What You Must Not Assume

The eligibility rules are strict and enforced at the document verification stage. Do not apply unless you meet every condition.

• Nationality: Indian citizen. OCI/PIO candidates may be eligible under specific rules - check the prospectus.
• Age: Must be 17 years old by 31 December 2026. Anyone born on or after 2 January 2010 is not eligible.
• Education: Passed Class 12 (10+2) from a recognised board with English, Physics, Chemistry, and either Biology or Mathematics.
• Marks: General/OBC/EWS candidates need 50% aggregate in the qualifying subjects. SC/ST candidates need 45%.
• Subject toggle: Some courses require Biology specifically - Dental Operating Room Assistant, Dental Hygiene, and Operation Theatre Technology among them. For Optometry and Medical Radiology & Imaging Technology, Mathematics students are also eligible. For MLT and most other programmes, Biology is mandatory.

If you are a Class 12 appearing candidate whose results are expected before 30 June 2026, you can apply provisionally - but you must produce proof of passing with the required marks during counselling.

The Exam Pattern - Exactly What to Expect on 4 July

The AIIMS Paramedical exam is a tightly timed test. There is no room for casual guessing - negative marking is real.

You choose between Biology and Mathematics at the time of application, based on the eligibility requirements of your target course. If you pick Biology, all 30 questions in that section are from Biology. If you pick Mathematics, you answer Mathematics. You cannot mix.

The syllabus is not a mystery. It is the NCERT curriculum for Class 11 and 12 - exactly the same content that NEET aspirants study for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. No separate official syllabus document exists beyond NCERT. In Physics, focus on Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Optics, Modern Physics, and Semiconductors. In Chemistry, prioritise Chemical Kinetics, Coordination Compounds, Organic Chemistry (Alcohols, Phenols, Ethers, Biomolecules), and p/d/f-block elements. In Biology, Human Physiology, Genetics, Cell Biology, and Ecology dominate.

Qualifying Marks and Cut-Off Trends - What Rank You Need

Before you can participate in counselling, you must clear the category-wise qualifying percentile.

Clearing the qualifying mark only makes you eligible for counselling. The actual cut-off rank for seat allocation is sharper. Here is how previous years have played out.

AIIMS Paramedical Cut-Off Ranks (Round 1)

2025 Cut-Off Ranks (Overall, All Rounds)

The jump in 2025 closing ranks reflects a more competitive pool, possibly due to increased awareness of paramedical careers and a larger applicant base. For 2026, if the exam difficulty is moderate, expect cut-off ranks for General category to close between 5,000 and 6,500. Reserved category ranks will close higher numerically - OBC around 8,500-9,000, SC around 11,000-13,000, and ST around 11,000-15,000.

A good score for General candidates: 65+ out of 90. For OBC: 60+. For SC/ST: 55+.

Counselling - How You Convert a Rank Into a Seat

AIIMS conducts counselling entirely online through its own portal. There is no MCC involvement. The process has three stages: Round 1, Round 2, and an Open Round.

After the result is declared on 10 July 2026, shortlisted candidates register on the counselling portal. You fill and lock your preferences - ranking AIIMS campuses and specific paramedical courses in order of what you want most. Seat allotment happens rank-wise, category-wise, and choice-wise. If you are allotted a seat in Round 1, you can accept it or opt to float for a better option in Round 2.

If seats remain vacant after two rounds, the Open Round opens them to all eligible candidates who have not yet secured admission, including those who did not participate earlier. This round often sees lower cut-off ranks because many top-ranked candidates have already committed elsewhere.

A security deposit is required to participate: ₹5,000 for allied health courses. If you fail to report after being allotted, you forfeit the deposit.

Documents you must carry to the allotted AIIMS for verification include: admit card, Class 10 certificate (DOB proof), Class 12 mark sheet and certificate, category certificate (if applicable, in central government format), PwBD certificate (if applicable), Aadhaar card, passport-size photographs, migration certificate, and a character certificate. If you are employed, a No Objection Certificate is mandatory.

What It Costs - The Fee Structure

The subsidised fee structure at AIIMS is one of its strongest advantages. The numbers are small.

For a 3-year paramedical course, the total institutional fee over the entire programme is typically under ₹5,000 - excluding hostel and mess. Some campuses do not provide hostel accommodation for allied health students. AIIMS Rishikesh, Raipur, Bhopal, Gorakhpur, and Nagpur have explicitly stated no hostel for allied courses. If you are allotted one of these campuses, budget for off-campus accommodation.

A word of caution for those considering leaving mid-course: AIIMS Patna charges a ₹50,000 penalty for discontinuation. Other AIIMS campuses charge ₹5,000. Original certificates are retained until course completion, so exiting means a financial and administrative burden.

Career After AIIMS Paramedical - Jobs, Salary, and Growth

Healthcare is one of the few sectors where demand is structural and growing. Every hospital needs radiographers, lab technologists, OT technicians, optometrists, and anaesthesia assistants. An AIIMS degree puts you at the front of the hiring queue.

Government employment: AIIMS paramedical graduates are hired across central and state government hospitals, ESIC facilities, and defence medical establishments. Pay follows the 7th Central Pay Commission matrix. Entry-level paramedical staff at AIIMS Delhi start at Pay Level 5 or 6 with a basic salary of approximately ₹35,000-₹45,000 per month. Including DA, HRA, and transport allowance, the gross monthly salary ranges between ₹55,000 and ₹72,000 depending on the city of posting. Promotions to Senior Technician, Technical Officer, and Chief Technical Officer are based on departmental exams and experience.

Private sector: Corporate hospitals like Apollo, Fortis, Max, Medanta, and diagnostic chains like Dr. Lal PathLabs and SRL Diagnostics offer starting salaries of ₹25,000-₹45,000 per month for B.Sc. paramedical graduates. With 5-8 years of experience, salaries rise to ₹45,000-₹70,000. Specialised roles in radiology, cardiac care, and perfusion technology command higher pay - sometimes exceeding ₹1 lakh per month at senior levels.

Overseas opportunities: The UK (via HCPC registration), the UAE, Australia, and Canada actively recruit Indian paramedical professionals. Radiographers, MLTs, and OT technicians with AIIMS training and 2-3 years of experience can expect salaries several times the Indian equivalent - often in the range of £25,000-£40,000 in the UK or AED 8,000-12,000 in the UAE.

Higher studies: After B.Sc., you can pursue M.Sc. in your specialisation, hospital administration, or public health. The GATE exam in life sciences can also open doors to M.Tech/Ph.D. programmes. Many AIIMS alumni go on to teaching and research positions.

If You Are Preparing for the 2027 Cycle

The 2026 application window is closed. If you are aiming for next year, here is your roadmap.

Start with NCERT Class 11 and 12 textbooks - Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Read them cover to cover. The AIIMS paramedical exam does not test beyond this curriculum. Use NEET-level MCQ practice books because the question style overlaps.

Focus heavily on Class 12 topics. They carry more weight across all subjects. For Physics, master numericals. For Chemistry, drill organic reaction mechanisms and coordination compounds. For Biology, human physiology and genetics are non-negotiable.

Solve previous year AIIMS paramedical papers. The AIIMS website does not officially release them, but several compiled question banks exist. These give you the real flavour of the exam - more conceptual than NEET in Biology, more numerical in Physics and Chemistry, and always time-pressured because 90 questions in 90 minutes demand speed.

Begin tracking aiimsexams.ac.in from January 2027. The notification typically drops in March. Basic registration is the first step - do not delay it. The application uses the PAAR (Prospective Applicants Advanced Registration) system, requiring a photograph, signature, and thumb impression scan. Have these ready before the window opens.

If you are considering both NEET and AIIMS Paramedical, here is the practical reality: the science preparation overlaps almost completely. You can prepare for both simultaneously. But the AIIMS test is shorter, sharper, and has no General Knowledge section for the allied health paper. Avoid spreading yourself thin across unnecessary GK preparation. Focus on your core science.

---