All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi
Last Date: 13 August 2026
AIIMS New Delhi has opened online registration for NORCET 11, the common eligibility test that fills Nursing Officer posts across AIIMS institutes and a set of allied central government hospitals. The notification, released on 24 July 2026 under Notice No. 103/2026, lists 2218 tentative vacancies at Level 7 of the pay matrix. Applications close on 13 August 2026, and the two-stage computer based exam runs through September.

AIIMS NORCET 11 2026: Quick Overview

AIIMS NORCET 11 2026: Quick Intro

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi conducts the Nursing Officer Recruitment Common Eligibility Test (NORCET) as a centralised recruitment examination for Nursing Officer posts. The recruitment is conducted for AIIMS New Delhi, other AIIMS institutions, and participating Central Government hospitals under the same recruitment cycle. This is the 11th edition of that exam, released through Notice No. 103/2026 on 24 July 2026, and it includes 2218 tentative Nursing Officer vacancies across 27 participating institutions and selected candidates will be appointed as Group B Nursing Officers under Pay Level 7 of the Pay Matrix..

Vacancy Details

The recruitment currently includes 2,218 tentative Nursing Officer vacancies. Also AIIMS has stated that this vacancy count is provisional and may increase if participating institutes report additional vacancies before the application closing date of 13 August 2026. Institute and Category-wise complete vacancy breakdown is provided below:

Note: ESIC New Delhi has the highest number of vacancies in this recruitment. During the choice-filling process, candidates should carefully select and arrange their institution preferences, as seat allotment will be based on the order of preferences submitted.

Application Fee

The category-wise application fee details are provided below:

The application fee can be paid through Debit Card, Credit Card, or Net Banking and Any bank transaction charges must be paid by the candidate. The application fee is non-refundable. However, SC and ST candidates who appear in the examination will receive a fee refund after the declaration of results, subject to verification of their valid category certificate.

Age Limit

Candidates must be 18 to 30 years of age as on 13 August 2026. The age limit will be calculated based on this date, which is also the last date for online application submission. The category-wise age relaxation details are provided below:  

Educational Qualification

Candidates can meet the eligibility criteria through either of the two qualification routes mentioned below, fulfilling any one of these eligibility conditions is sufficient to apply.

One important point candidates should understand carefully: For GNM-qualified candidates, the required 2 years of experience will be counted only after completing the mandatory residency period and registration with the State or Indian Nursing Council, but experience gained during training, internship, or the residency period will not be considered.

Selection Process

The selection process consists of two Computer-Based Test (CBT) stages, followed by document verification and a medical fitness examination. There is no interview at any stage of the recruitment process.

Stage I (NORCET Preliminary) is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) of 90 minutes with 100 questions carrying 100 marks. The paper includes 20 questions from General Knowledge and Aptitude and 80 questions from the Nursing syllabus. One-third (1/3) mark will be deducted for each incorrect answer. This stage is qualifying in nature, and its marks will not be considered for preparing the final merit list.

To qualify for Stage II, candidates must secure the minimum qualifying percentile prescribed for their category. However, meeting the qualifying percentile doesn't guarantee selection for the next stage, because AIIMS will shortlist candidates category-wise, generally up to five times the number of vacancies, along with all qualified PwBD candidates and all candidates who have the same score as the last shortlisted candidate.

Stage II (NORCET Mains) is the final selection examination. It is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) of 180 minutes with 160 case scenario-based questions carrying 160 marks and this stage evaluates candidates' practical nursing knowledge and clinical decision-making skills. The final merit list will be prepared based only on the marks obtained in Stage II.

If two or more candidates secure the same marks in Stage II (Mains), AIIMS will apply the following tie-breaking criteria in order:

1. Candidate with fewer incorrect answers in Stage II (Mains).
2. Candidate with higher marks in Stage I (Prelims).
3. Candidate with fewer incorrect answers in Stage I (Prelims).
4. Older candidate by age.
5. Alphabetical order of the candidate's name.

Salary, Job Location, and Service Conditions

Selected candidates will be appointed as Nursing Officers under Pay Level 7 of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) Pay Matrix. The starting basic pay is ₹44,900 per month. In addition to the basic pay, candidates will receive Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance (TA), and other admissible Central Govt. allowances as per the rules applicable to the place of posting.

The posting location will depend on the institution allotted to the candidate based on the merit list and the order of preferences submitted during the choice-filling process. AIIMS New Delhi conducts the exam, but after allotment, the service conditions, transfer policy, and other employment rules will be governed by the respective participating institution as per its applicable regulations.

A probation period will apply as per the rules of the allotted institution. Although the duration of probation is not specified but the during the probation period, candidates will be governed by the service rules of the respective institution.

How to Apply

1. Go to the official website at www.aiimsexams.ac.in
2. Locate the NORCET 11 notification or Apply Online link for Notice No. 103/2026 on the homepage
3. Candidates who already hold a previous OTR (One Time Registration) ID must log in and apply using that same ID, since a fresh registration with a different ID will be rejected
4. New candidates should register with a valid email ID and active mobile number to generate their OTR profile
5. Fill in personal, educational and category details accurately in the application form
6. Upload photograph, signature and left thumb impression exactly as specified in the Upload Image Instructions, since a mismatch leads to straight rejection
7. Pay the application fee online through debit card, credit card or net banking
8. If currently employed in government, PSU, semi-government or an autonomous body, upload the No Objection Certificate by 18 August 2026, 5:00 PM, separately from the main closing date
9. Review every entry carefully before final submission, since corrections are not accepted after the registration window closes
10. Download and save the submitted application form and payment proof for personal records

Required Documents and Important Instructions

Candidates must carry the downloaded registration slip, admit card, proof of date of birth, category certificate (if applicable), PwBD certificate (if applicable), educational qualification certificates, State or Indian Nursing Council registration certificate, experience certificate (where applicable), and No Objection Certificate (NOC), if required, during document verification. Candidates should also bring the original documents along with self-attested photocopies for verification.

Candidates should carefully read and follow the important instructions given below:
> Candidates applying under the OBC-NCL or EWS category must submit a valid certificate for the financial year 2026-27, issued within the period specified by AIIMS and certificates that do not meet these requirements will not be accepted.
> Candidates should select their category such as SC, ST, OBC to UR or EWS carefully while filling out the application form. After payment of the application fee, the selected category cannot be changed under any circumstances.
> Candidates must successfully complete the identity and biometric verification process at every stage of the recruitment. Failure to verify their identity or biometric details may result in the cancellation of candidature. AIIMS conducts identity and biometric verification to ensure a fair and transparent recruitment process.

Read the important points below to understand this recruitment better:

80:20 Gender Reservation Rule for Nursing Officer Posts

As per the 2019 decision of the AIIMS Central Institute Body, Nursing Officer vacancies at participating AIIMS institutions are allocated in an 80:20 ratio, with 80% of seats for female candidates and 20% for male candidates. Also This 80:20 gender reservation is separate from the category-wise reservation followed in the recruitment process and candidates will be considered for selection according to the gender reservation policy and the applicable reservation rules.

Choose Your Institute Preferences Carefully

Qualifying NORCET does not guarantee allotment of a seat. After the result, eligible candidates must participate in the choice-filling process for institute allotment. Candidates should fill their preferences carefully, as institutes not selected during choice filling will not be considered for allotment. With 27 participating institutions in this recruitment, selecting more eligible preferences may improve the chances of receiving an institute allotment, subject to merit and seat availability.

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❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many vacancies are there in AIIMS NORCET 11 2026?

AIIMS has notified 2218 tentative Nursing Officer vacancies across 27 participating institutes for NORCET 11. This number can still change since some institutes have not finalised their vacancy count yet. 

What is the last date to apply for NORCET 11?

Online registration closes on 13 August 2026 at 5:00 PM. Candidates working in government or PSU jobs also need to upload their No Objection Certificate separately by 18 August 2026.           

Who is eligible to apply for the Nursing Officer post?

Candidates with a B.Sc. Nursing, B.Sc. (Hons.) Nursing, or Post-Basic B.Sc. Nursing along with Nurse and Midwife registration can apply. GNM diploma holders with two years of experience in a 50-bedded hospital are also eligible.

What is the age limit for NORCET 11, including relaxations?

The age limit is 18 to 30 years as on 13 August 2026. SC and ST candidates get 5 years relaxation, OBC candidates get 3 years, and PwBD candidates get up to 10 years depending on category overlap.

What qualification is required for AIIMS Nursing Officer recruitment?

A recognised B.Sc. Nursing degree or a GNM diploma with the required nursing council registration is required. GNM candidates additionally need two years of post-qualification hospital experience.

What is the selection process for NORCET 11?

Selection happens through two computer based exams, NORCET Preliminary and NORCET Mains, followed by document verification and a medical fitness check. There is no interview at any stage.

What is the salary for AIIMS Nursing Officer?

The post carries Level 7 pay with a pre-revised Pay Band of Rs. 9300 to 34800 and Grade Pay of Rs. 4600. Entry basic pay under the current pay matrix works out to Rs. 44,900, plus usual central government allowances.

What is the application fee for NORCET 11?

General and OBC candidates pay Rs. 3000, while SC, ST and EWS candidates pay Rs. 2400. Persons with disabilities are exempted from the fee entirely.

How can candidates apply online for NORCET 11?

Applications are submitted only through www.aiimsexams.ac.in. Candidates need to register or log in with their OTR ID, fill the form, upload documents, pay the fee, and submit before the closing date.

What is the official website for AIIMS NORCET 11?

The official website is www.aiimsexams.ac.in, and all updates about application status, admit cards, and results will appear there.

Does the NORCET Preliminary score count toward the final merit list?

No. Stage I is only a qualifying round that decides who advances to Stage II. Final merit and seat allocation depend entirely on NORCET Mains marks.

Is there a reserved quota for female candidates in NORCET 11?

Yes. As per a 2019 decision by the AIIMS Central Institute Body, 80 percent of Nursing Officer seats at participating AIIMS are reserved for female candidates, with the remaining 20 percent open to male candidates.

Conclusion

We hope the information provided above has helped you understand this recruitment better. Before applying, candidates should carefully verify that they meet the eligibility criteria under either of the two qualification routes mentioned above in this article. GNM-qualified candidates should carefully calculate their required 2 years of work experience as this experience requirement will be verified during document verification, and only eligible candidates will be considered for selection.

Tentative vacancy count may increase if participating institutes report additional vacancies before the application closing date of 13 August 2026 therefore, candidates should regularly check the AIIMS Examination website for the latest updates. (you can also bookmark this page and follow our social media handles such as telegram and WhatsApp for quick updates)

This article is based on the official notification and simplified for easy understanding. For the most accurate and updated information, always refer to the official website.