The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi has released the official NORCET-11 Notification 2026 for the recruitment of Nursing Officers in AIIMS and other participating institutes. The recruitment process is being conducted for 2,218 Nursing Officer (Group B) posts.
The AIIMS NORCET-11 Preliminary Examination will be held on 12 September 2026, while the Main Examination is scheduled for 30 September 2026. Candidates preparing for the exam should understand the complete syllabus, sectional timing, negative marking, and the case-based question format of the Main Examination.
The Preliminary Examination is only a qualifying stage, whereas the final merit list will be prepared on the basis of Main Examination marks. Therefore, candidates should prepare for both stages with a clear understanding of the exam pattern.
AIIMS NORCET-11 Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Authority | All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi |
| Exam Name | Nursing Officer Recruitment Common Eligibility Test (NORCET-11) |
| Post Name | Nursing Officer (Group B) |
| Total Vacancies | 2,218 Posts (Provisional) |
| Notification Date | 24 July 2026 |
| Online Application | 24 July to 13 August 2026 |
| Last Date | 13 August 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Stage-I Exam | 12 September 2026 |
| Stage-II Exam | 30 September 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Official Website | aiimsexams.ac.in |
About AIIMS NORCET-11 2026
NORCET is a national-level recruitment examination conducted by AIIMS New Delhi for the selection of Nursing Officers. Through NORCET-11, eligible nursing candidates can compete for positions in AIIMS institutes and other participating hospitals.
The recruitment process consists of two computer-based examinations:
- Stage-I: Preliminary Examination
- Stage-II: Main Examination
The Preliminary Examination is qualifying in nature. Candidates who qualify for Stage-I are shortlisted for the Main Examination. The final merit and ranking are based on the marks secured in the Main Examination.
NORCET-11 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 24 July 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 24 July 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 13 August 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Preliminary Examination | 12 September 2026 |
| Main Examination | 30 September 2026 |
| Final Result | Tentatively around 10 October 2026 |
| Document Verification & Institute Allotment | To be notified |
AIIMS NORCET-11 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must fulfil the required educational and registration conditions mentioned below.
For B.Sc. Nursing Candidates
Candidates should possess any of the following:
- B.Sc. (Hons.) Nursing
- B.Sc. Nursing
- Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing
Candidates must also be registered as a Nurse and Midwife with the State Nursing Council or Indian Nursing Council, wherever applicable.
For GNM Candidates
Candidates with a Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) can also apply if they:
- Are registered as a Nurse and Midwife, and
- Have at least 2 years of experience in a hospital having 50 or more beds.
Age Limit
The candidate’s age should generally be between 18 and 30 years as on the last date of application, i.e. 13 August 2026.
Age relaxation will be available as per the applicable Government rules and recruitment regulations of the participating institutes.
AIIMS NORCET-11 Preliminary Exam Pattern 2026
The Stage-I examination is conducted as a qualifying examination.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Exam Duration | 90 Minutes |
| Nursing Questions | 80 |
| General Knowledge & Aptitude | 20 |
| Question Type | Objective MCQs |
| Negative Marking | 1/3 Mark for Each Wrong Answer |
| Nature of Exam | Qualifying |
Section-Wise Timing
The Preliminary Examination consists of 5 sections, with each section containing 20 questions.
- 20 Questions per Section
- 18 Minutes per Section
- Sectional timing will be applicable
Once the time allotted to a section ends, candidates cannot return to that section.
Minimum Qualifying Marks
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Percentage |
|---|---|
| UR / EWS | 50% |
| OBC | 45% |
| SC / ST | 40% |
| PwBD | Additional relaxation as applicable |
The marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination are not added to the final merit list.
AIIMS NORCET-11 Main Exam Pattern 2026
The Stage-II Main Examination is the most important stage of the selection process because the final merit list is prepared on the basis of Main Examination performance.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 160 |
| Total Marks | 160 |
| Duration | 180 Minutes |
| Question Type | Objective MCQs |
| Subject | Nursing |
| Question Pattern | Case Scenario-Based |
| Negative Marking | 1/3 Mark for Each Wrong Answer |
| Nature of Exam | Merit-Deciding |
Section-Wise Structure
The Main Examination contains:
- 4 Sections
- 40 Questions in Each Section
- 45 Minutes for Each Section
Candidates cannot move back to a section after its allotted time has expired.
Important Note
The Main Examination focuses heavily on clinical situations and case-based questions. Instead of simply asking factual questions, candidates may be given a patient scenario and asked to identify the most appropriate nursing action or priority intervention.
NORCET-11 Negative Marking
Negative marking will be applicable in both Preliminary and Main Examinations.
Formula
Score = Correct Answers − (Wrong Answers × 1/3)
For example, if a candidate attempts 120 questions and answers 100 correctly while 20 are incorrect:
100 − (20 × 1/3) = 93.33 marks approximately
Therefore, candidates should focus on accuracy rather than attempting questions randomly.
NORCET-11 Syllabus 2026
General Knowledge & Aptitude
The Preliminary Examination includes questions from the following areas:
General Knowledge
- Indian History
- Geography
- Indian Polity and Constitution
- Environmental Issues
- Static General Knowledge
- Current Affairs
- Health and National Health-Related Developments
Reasoning
- Logical Reasoning
- Analytical Ability
- Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Coding-Decoding
- Number and Alphabet Series
- Classification
Quantitative Aptitude
- Simplification
- Percentage
- Ratio and Proportion
- Time, Speed and Distance
- Time and Work
- Simple Interest
- Compound Interest
- Data Interpretation
English Language
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
- Reading Comprehension
- Sentence Correction
- Basic English Usage
NORCET-11 Nursing Syllabus 2026
The Nursing syllabus is important for both Preliminary and Main Examinations.
1. Anatomy and Physiology
- Human body systems
- Body structure and functions
- Homeostasis
- Fluid and electrolyte balance
- Cardiovascular system
- Renal system
2. Biochemistry
- Metabolism
- Enzymes
- Nutrition-related biochemical processes
- Basic biochemical functions
3. Nursing Foundations
- Basic nursing procedures
- Patient assessment
- Vital signs
- Infection prevention and control
- Medication administration
- Patient safety
4. Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Diseases of different body systems
- Pre-operative and post-operative care
- Emergency nursing
- Critical care nursing
- Patient assessment and management
5. Pediatric Nursing
- Growth and development
- Common childhood diseases
- Neonatal care
- Pediatric emergencies
6. Community Health Nursing
- Primary healthcare
- Epidemiology
- National Health Programmes
- Community health services
- Disease prevention
7. Mental Health Nursing
- Psychiatric disorders
- Mental health assessment
- Therapeutic communication
- Psychiatric nursing care
8. Midwifery and Obstetric Nursing
- Antenatal care
- Intranatal care
- Postnatal care
- High-risk pregnancy
- Obstetric complications
9. Pharmacology
- Drug classifications
- Dosage calculations
- Adverse drug reactions
- Medication administration
- Nursing responsibilities related to drugs
10. Pathology and Microbiology
- Disease processes
- Microorganisms
- Infection and transmission
- Laboratory investigations
11. Nutrition
- Nutritional assessment
- Therapeutic diets
- Diet planning
- Nutrition in different diseases
12. Sociology and Psychology
- Human behaviour
- Social factors affecting health
- Psychological aspects of patient care
13. Nursing Research and Statistics
- Research methodology
- Basic statistics
- Data interpretation
- Nursing research principles
14. Nursing Management and Professional Trends
- Ward management
- Leadership
- Nursing administration
- Professional ethics
- Current developments in the nursing profession
Selection Process for AIIMS NORCET-11 2026
The selection process generally includes the following stages:
- NORCET Preliminary Examination
- NORCET Main Examination
- Document Verification
- Institute/Hospital Allotment
- Medical Fitness
The Preliminary Examination is qualifying, while the Main Examination is used for preparing the final merit list.
The final institute allotment may depend on factors such as:
- Main Examination marks
- Category-wise merit
- Available vacancies
- Candidate preferences
- Applicable reservation rules
How to Apply for AIIMS NORCET-11 2026
Candidates can apply online by following these steps:
- Visit the official AIIMS Exams website.
- Open the NORCET-11 Recruitment 2026 notification.
- Complete the registration using your basic details.
- Enter your educational and nursing registration information.
- Fill in the category and other required details.
- Upload the photograph, signature and required documents.
- Pay the applicable examination fee online.
- Submit the application form before 13 August 2026, 5:00 PM.
- Download and save the final application confirmation page.
Candidates should carefully check all details before submitting the application form.
Preparation Strategy for NORCET-11
Since the Main Examination decides the final merit, candidates should not focus only on clearing the Preliminary Examination.
- Prepare nursing subjects consistently from the beginning.
- Give special attention to Medical-Surgical Nursing, Pharmacology, Community Health Nursing and Midwifery.
- Practise case-based clinical questions for the Main Examination.
- Take mock tests with the actual sectional time limit.
- Avoid unnecessary guessing because of the 1/3 negative marking.
- Solve previous NORCET question papers to understand the style of questions.
- Revise Anatomy and Physiology regularly as these subjects support many clinical topics.
- Practise time management because completed sections cannot be reopened.
Nursing Officer Career and Job Profile
A Nursing Officer appointed through AIIMS and participating institutes may work in departments such as:
- General Wards
- Intensive Care Units
- Emergency Departments
- Operation Theatres
- Specialised Clinical Units
The job responsibilities may include patient care, medication administration, patient assessment, care planning, coordination with doctors, maintaining records and educating patients and their families.
Being a Group B Central Government post, the position offers career growth and opportunities for promotion to higher nursing and administrative positions as per applicable service rules.
AIIMS NORCET-11 2026 FAQs
Q1. When was the AIIMS NORCET-11 notification released?
The NORCET-11 notification was released on 24 July 2026.
Q2. When will the NORCET-11 Preliminary Exam be held?
The Stage-I Preliminary Examination is scheduled for 12 September 2026.
Q3. When is the NORCET-11 Main Exam?
The Stage-II Main Examination is scheduled for 30 September 2026.
Q4. Does the Preliminary Exam score count in the final merit?
No. The Preliminary Examination is qualifying in nature. The final merit is prepared on the basis of Main Examination marks.
Q5. Is there negative marking in NORCET-11?
Yes. 1/3 mark is deducted for every incorrect answer in both stages.
Q6. Can GNM candidates apply for NORCET-11?
Yes. GNM candidates can apply if they fulfil the required registration and experience conditions mentioned in the official notification.
Q7. What is the age limit for NORCET-11?
The general age limit is 18 to 30 years, subject to applicable age relaxation rules.
Q8. Can a candidate revisit a completed section?
No. Once the allotted time for a section ends, the section is closed and cannot be reopened.
Note: Candidates should always verify the latest eligibility, vacancies, exam pattern and other conditions from the official notification before taking any final decision or applying.