NEET, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, is the entry exam for most of the MBBS or BDS programmes in India. AIIMS, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, used to be conducted separately for admission to AIIMS institutes across the country. However, since 2020, AIIMS has started accepting the NEET scores for admissions, making NEET the single admission exam for almost all the medical colleges in India. So, now there is no NEET vs. AIIMS debate. But AIIMS still demands extremely high ranks to get admission at one of the 20+ centres. Here is everything you need to know about 2026 NEET coaching and applications. This information includes test patterns, cutoffs, available seats, preparation suggestions, and strategies. It can help you get into AIIMS Delhi or JIPMER (Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research) with good NEET scores and have a successful career as a doctor.
| NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) | AIIMS (Admission Through NEET) |
| NEET is the single national-level entrance examination for admission to MBBS and BDS programmes in India. | AIIMS is a group of central government medical institutes that admit students only through NEET scores. |
| NEET is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. | AIIMS admissions are handled through the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) under All India Quota counselling. |
| To be eligible for NEET, candidates must score 50% marks in Class 12 PCB (40% for reserved categories) along with English as a subject. | AIIMS follows the same NEET eligibility criteria, as admissions are strictly based on NEET qualification. |
| NEET is open to Indian citizens, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals. | AIIMS admissions are available to candidates eligible under NEET nationality rules, subject to counselling norms. |
| The difficulty level of NEET is moderate to high, with a mix of easy, medium, and challenging questions. | AIIMS admissions are extremely competitive because only top NEET rankers can secure seats. |
| NEET preparation involves mastering NCERT, solving previous years' questions, and taking mock tests. | AIIMS aspirants must follow a more intensive NEET preparation strategy, targeting the top 500 ranks. |
| NEET counselling is conducted at both the All India Quota (15%) and State Quota (85%) levels. | AIIMS seats are allotted mainly through 15% All India Quota counselling conducted by MCC. |
| A good NEET score can secure admission to many reputable government and private medical colleges. | Admission to AIIMS requires excellent NEET ranks, strategic choice filling, and multiple counselling rounds. |
The Ministry of Education under the Government of India has established the National Testing Agency (NTA) to conduct exams and assess the candidates' eligibility for higher education institutions. For NEET, the NTA established eligibility criteria are:
For getting admission into AIIMS, the 15% All India Quota (AIQ) and the 85% state quotas are based on NEET scores. AIIMS has 15% of the AIQ, which is critical for OBC/SC/ST students because the NEET rank lists come out after the June results.
NEET has 180 multiple-choice questions. It includes 45 in physics and chemistry each and 90 in biology. It includes section A and B.
These are moderate NCERT-based questions that test speed and correctness. If you look at PYQs, you may see a pattern of 50 to 60 easy questions, 80 middle-difficulty questions, and 40 challenging questions.
Students who score the highest on the NEET and rank in the top 100 to 500 can get into AIIMS centres. For example, Delhi AIIMS has around 130 seats, and Bhopal has around 125 seats. However, this number varies every year.
Since 2020, there has been no separate AIIMS paper. Instead, the cutoffs for NEET toppers are tougher for AIIMS admissions. For example, the 2025 AIIMS Delhi closed at 715/720 (99.99%ile), while the NEET general cutoff for government MBBS was 686.
Earlier AIIMS tests also included general knowledge and aptitude sections, whereas the focus of NEET is solely on the PCB subject combination and core concepts. That has made the entrance exam tougher and has taken cutoffs up.
The syllabus for both the NEET and AIIMS was mostly similar. However, AIIMS had more sections, such as aptitude tests and general knowledge. It also had an assertion-reasoning question format. NEET has always focused on Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, based on NCERT grades 11 and 12. The basic chapters include:
The preparation for NEET begins even before grade 11 by creating a strong foundation of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. However, one year before the exam, here is how you can allocate time to improve your NEET score without getting overwhelmed with the workload:
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) runs seat allotment rounds, also known as AIQ rounds, for AIIMS. You can opt for online counselling via the MCC portal and choose the AIIMS centres after paying the registration fees. The round 1 usually includes candidates with top ranks. The AIQ is for 15% of seats in all states as well as national colleges, and the remaining 85% is the state quota.
For NEET, you can consider registering separately for State Quota counselling for seat allotment. There are multiple rounds along with mop-ups and stray vacancies.
Now that AIIMS and JIPMER admissions are considered based on NEET scores, it is easier for students to focus on a single exam. However, it also increases the difficulty and competition level. Focus must be on mastering NCERT concepts, allocating ample time to solving PYQs, and aiming to achieve the ranks below 500. Even though AIIMS is associated with premier research and clinical roles, strong performers from any good college can thrive equally.
Many students begin their journey at some of the best PU colleges in Bangalore, where structured career counselling and guidance from experienced faculty help them achieve their full potential. Institutions like JAIN College focus on students’ academic strength through mentorship and academic planning. Get in touch with us today for more information and comprehensive guidance.
No, since 2020, AIIMS admissions are based on NEET-UG scores.
The AIIMS exam was considered more analytical; however, NEET is also highly competitive.
AIIMS cut-offs vary each year, but the focus is typically on students with ranks below 500.
Yes, you can get a good medical college without AIIMS, as most reputed government and private colleges admit students through NEET.
Even though NCERT is essential for NEET preparation, you should supplement it with regular practice and additional reference materials.
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