PGIMER 2026 Exam Pattern: BSc Nursing Marks & Marking

PGIMER 2026 exam pattern for BSc Nursing is set by the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, with the computer-based test scheduled for 24 July 2026, just days away as this is written. Some sources list a separate PGIMER-run MD/MS pattern, but that admission actually runs through INI-CET, a different exam entirely, so get this distinction right before you plan your preparation. PGIMER's own BSc Nursing pattern is set out in full below, along with how the other PGIMER-linked programmes actually work.

PGIMER 2026 Exam Pattern Highlights

The table below covers PGIMER's own BSc Nursing entrance test, the most-searched and most heavily documented of PGIMER's programmes. Getting the conducting route right matters here, since MD/MS is commonly and wrongly listed as one of PGIMER's own entrance formats. Treat the figures below as confirmed for the imminent 2026 cycle.

PGIMER Does Not Run Its Own MD/MS Exam: The INI-CET Route

A genuinely common and important mix-up is assuming PGIMER conducts its own separate MD/MS entrance test, complete with its own fixed question count and marks. It does not, even though a few pattern pages list one anyway. MD, MS and MDS admission to PGIMER runs through INI-CET, a shared exam conducted by AIIMS Delhi, not an institute-specific paper. Getting this straight early avoids preparing for a test that does not actually exist in that form.

• INI-CET is a computer-based test conducted by AIIMS Delhi, held twice a year, and its result feeds admission not just to PGIMER but also to AIIMS institutes and JIPMER.
• INI-CET follows its own distinct marking scheme, typically a steeper one-third negative mark for a wrong answer, which is different from the -0.25 penalty used in PGIMER's own BSc Nursing test.
• DM and MCh super-speciality admission similarly runs through INI-SS, a separate AIIMS-conducted test, not a PGIMER-specific one.
• Only BSc Nursing, MSc, PhD, MPH, MHA and allied health courses use PGIMER's own, institute-conducted entrance test, the one covered in detail on this page rather than a shared national exam.

PGIMER BSc Nursing 2026 Section-Wise Pattern

The 100-question BSc Nursing paper is drawn from five subjects, and Biology, Chemistry and Physics together account for exactly three-quarters of it. This is the pattern most candidates searching for “PGIMER exam pattern” actually mean. The table below gives the confirmed section-wise split.

• Questions are set at the Class 11 and 12 level, and the pattern has stayed unchanged for at least the past five years, according to PGIMER's own admission notices. This stability means previous-year question papers remain reliable practice material for the 2026 attempt.
• Unlike a computer-adaptive test, every candidate faces the same difficulty level regardless of how earlier questions were answered, so there is no benefit to strategically answering questions in a particular order for difficulty reasons.

PGIMER 2026 Marking Scheme

BSc Nursing marking is straightforward but does carry a real penalty for a wrong answer, unlike some no-negative-marking state exams. This single rule shapes how confidently you should attempt an uncertain question. The table shows the exact scoring, and the point below covers what it means for your attempt strategy.

• Since a wrong answer costs a quarter mark while a blank costs nothing at all, an uncertain guess is only worth making once you can rule out at least one or two of the four options confidently.

PGIMER 2026 Seats and Competition

Knowing how many seats are actually on offer helps set realistic expectations for how competitive BSc Nursing admission really is, especially given how many aspirants apply each year. The numbers are modest compared to the scale of applicants PGIMER typically draws from across the country. The points below give the current seat count for both programmes.

• The BSc Nursing (4 Years) programme offers 93 seats, while the Post-Basic BSc Nursing programme offers 62 seats for the 2026 cycle, a modest total against the number of applicants each year.
• Only female candidates are eligible for the 4-year BSc Nursing programme, while the Post-Basic programme is open to registered nurses and midwives regardless of gender.
• Candidates appearing for their Class 12 board exam in 2026 can also apply provisionally, but they must submit the passing certificate well before the entrance exam itself, not after.

PGIMER 2026 Cutoff Trends

PGIMER's BSc Nursing cutoff is reported as a percentile rather than a flat pass mark, and it has stayed extremely high in recent cycles given how few seats are on offer. Use these figures as a sense of scale, not a precise target, since the exact number shifts slightly every year. The points below cover the recent trend.

• The General category cutoff percentile was 98.7938 in 2025 and 98.7987 in 2024, both reflecting the intense competition for a small number of seats.
• A percentile this high means near-perfect accuracy is effectively required, since even a handful of wrong answers can meaningfully shift a candidate's standing given the -0.25 penalty applied to every mistake.
• These figures apply specifically to the General category; reserved categories have their own separately notified, comparatively lower cutoff percentiles announced each year alongside the main result.

PGIMER 2026 Eligibility Snapshot

Eligibility differs sharply depending on which PGIMER-linked programme you are targeting, so it is worth confirming which category actually applies to you. These requirements sit alongside the exam pattern rather than inside it. The points below cover the basics for the main routes.

• BSc Nursing (4 Years) requires a pass in Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English, with at least 50% aggregate marks, and candidates must be female and Indian nationals.
• Age limits also apply: candidates must generally be between 17 and 25 years old at the time of admission, so it is worth checking your date of birth against the exact cut-off dates in the official notification.
• MD/MS aspirants do not apply through PGIMER directly for the entrance test itself; eligibility there is governed by INI-CET's own criteria, built around a recognised MBBS degree and a completed compulsory rotatory internship.
• Post-Basic BSc Nursing candidates need a GNM qualification with a minimum aggregate, along with registration as a nurse and midwife with the relevant State Nursing Council.
• Working nurses applying for the Post-Basic programme should also check any minimum service-experience requirement specified in that year's official notification before applying.

PGIMER BSc Nursing 2026 High-Yield Topics

Within the fixed 25-question-per-subject structure, some topics repeat more reliably than others across past PGIMER papers. Knowing this helps direct your final few days of revision without changing the exam's overall balance. The points below cover where recent papers have concentrated.

• Biology draws heavily on human physiology and the reproductive system, staying close to NCERT Class 11 and 12 wording rather than obscure or overly technical detail.
• Physics and Chemistry lean on core mechanics, electricity, and basic organic and inorganic reactions, all pitched at a level that rewards solid NCERT revision over advanced problem-solving skills.
• The General Knowledge and Current Affairs section rewards regular reading of recent news and static GK, while the English section stays close to basic grammar and vocabulary rather than literature or comprehension-heavy passages.

PGIMER BSc Nursing 2026 Exam-Day Rules

A handful of practical rules apply on exam day and are worth confirming given how close the 2026 test date now is. These have stayed consistent with past cycles. The points below cover what to expect at the centre.

• A valid admit card along with a government-issued photo ID is compulsory at the centre, and candidates are generally refused entry if either document is not carried along.
• The exam is conducted online at designated centres, and candidates should reach well ahead of the reporting time to complete identity verification and biometric checks before the test begins.

In short, when people search for the PGIMER exam pattern, they are almost always looking for the BSc Nursing test, a 100-question, 90-minute paper with real negative marking, not a separate PGIMER-run MD/MS exam that does not actually exist in the form some pages describe. With the 2026 test just days away, focus your remaining time on Biology, Chemistry and Physics, since they carry three-quarters of the marks between them and offer the most reliable return on last-minute revision. Keep the INI-CET distinction clear if you are also eyeing an MD/MS seat at PGIMER, since that is an entirely different exam, conducted by a different institute, with its own separate pattern and marking scheme. Check the official PGIMER site directly for any last-minute update before exam day, since a notice this close to the test can still bring a small change.

PGIMER 2026 Exam Pattern FAQs

Ques: Does PGIMER conduct its own MD/MS entrance exam?

Ques: Is there negative marking in PGIMER BSc Nursing 2026?

Ques: How many questions are there in the PGIMER BSc Nursing 2026 exam?

Ques: Is PGIMER BSc Nursing open to male candidates?

Ques: Why is the PGIMER BSc Nursing cutoff percentile so high?