AIIMS BSc Nursing 2026 Expected Cutoff: What Scores You Need to Qualify
AIIMS BSc Nursing 2026 exam will be held on June 27 for 1366 seats. Expected cutoffs are UR: 72+, OBC: 69+, SC: 58+, ST: 54+. Check category-wise expected marks and previous year rank cutoffs.
AC Team
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences will conduct the AIIMS Nursing Exam 2026 on June 27 in an online format. If you're preparing for this exam, understanding the expected cutoff marks can help you set realistic targets and plan your preparation better.
The exam will test thousands of candidates competing for just 1366 seats across all AIIMS institutions in India. The competition is intense, and knowing what scores worked in previous years gives you a clear benchmark.
Understanding the Seat Distribution
AIIMS Delhi leads with 96 seats, followed by Jodhpur, Manglagiri, and Rishikesh with 100 seats each. Bhopal offers 90 seats, while Bhubaneswar and Patna provide 75 each. The newer AIIMS locations like Bilaspur offer 40 seats.
The distribution shows that while some institutes have more seats, the cutoff often depends on factors like location preference, NIRF rankings, and facilities available at each campus.
Expected Cutoff Marks for 2026
Based on previous year trends, here's what you should aim for:
Unreserved (UR) category candidates should target around 72 marks or higher. The paper carries 100 marks total, so this means getting about 72% correct answers.
OBC candidates typically need around 69 marks to stay competitive. The difference from the general category is small, which means the competition remains tough across categories.
EWS category follows a similar pattern to OBC, with expected scores around 69 marks.
SC category candidates should aim for approximately 58 marks. This represents a more achievable target but still requires solid preparation.
ST category cutoffs usually fall around 54 marks. While lower than other categories, remember that you're still competing within your category for limited seats.
Persons with Disabilities (PwD) can expect cutoffs around 51 marks, though this varies based on the sub-category and seat availability.
What the 2025 Results Tell Us
Looking at actual data from 2025 helps understand how cutoffs work. The system uses overall ranks rather than just marks.
The UR category cutoff rank was 16016, meaning if you ranked within the top 16016 candidates, you qualified for counselling. The UR-PWBD cutoff rank was 8858, showing better chances in this category.
EWS category had a cutoff rank of 15999, almost identical to the general category. This reflects the competitive nature of this recently introduced category.
OBC (NCL) category extended to rank 20575, giving more candidates a chance. The OBC-PWBD cutoff was 20189.
SC category went up to rank 26164, with SC-PWBD at 23565. ST category cutoff rank was 26007, offering opportunities to more candidates.
Comparing 2024 and 2025 Trends
The 2024 cutoffs were notably different. The UR cutoff rank was just 6391, much lower than 2025's 16016. This dramatic change suggests the 2025 exam was either more difficult or had different scoring patterns.
EWS cutoff in 2024 was 6387, again much lower than 2025. OBC went to 9851, SC to 13963, and ST to 13926 in 2024.
This variation between years shows why you cannot rely on cutoffs alone. The difficulty level of the paper, the number of applicants, and how well other candidates perform all affect where the cutoff lands.
Which AIIMS Should You Target
NIRF rankings offer a good guide for choosing your preferences during counselling.
AIIMS Delhi consistently holds the top rank in medical institutions. Getting admission here is the most competitive.
AIIMS Rishikesh has climbed to 13th position in NIRF 2025, up from 14th in 2024. This upward movement reflects improving standards.
AIIMS Bhubaneswar ranked 14th in 2025, maintaining its position in the top tier of AIIMS institutions.
AIIMS Jodhpur secured 19th position, though it has seen a slight decline from 16th in 2024. Still, it remains a strong choice for nursing education.
AIIMS Bhopal, Patna, and Raipur fall in the 25-31 range, offering quality education with perhaps slightly less competition during seat allocation.
Preparing Your Strategy
Don't just aim for the cutoff. The cutoff represents the minimum to qualify. To actually secure a seat at your preferred AIIMS, you need to score well above these numbers.
Focus on getting your basics right in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and General Knowledge. The exam tests fundamental concepts more than advanced topics.
Practice previous year papers to understand the question pattern. The difficulty level generally remains consistent, though the exact questions change.
Time management during the exam matters as much as knowing the answers. You get 120 minutes for 70 questions, which gives you less than two minutes per question.
What Happens After the Exam
The result will be declared by July 5, 2026. The result PDF will include your marks, rank, and percentile, along with the category-wise cutoffs.
If you clear the cutoff, you become eligible for counselling. The counselling process involves filling your preferences for different AIIMS locations and waiting for seat allocation.
Your rank determines your chances during counselling. A higher rank gives you more options to choose from, especially for popular AIIMS locations.
Remember that even if you qualify, getting your first choice depends on how many people with better ranks also want that same institute.
The Reservation Policy
AIIMS follows the standard government reservation policy. This means seats are distributed as per constitutional provisions across different categories.
You compete within your category for seats reserved for that category. An OBC candidate competes with other OBC candidates for OBC seats.
Some candidates also qualify under the unreserved category based on merit, even if they belong to a reserved category. This happens when their rank is good enough to compete in the general pool.
The PwD quota applies horizontally across all categories, providing additional opportunities for eligible candidates.
Important Dates to Remember
The admit card will be released on June 19, 2026. Download it immediately and check all details carefully.
The exam takes place on June 27, 2026. Plan your travel and accommodation well in advance if your exam centre is in a different city.
Results come out by July 5, 2026. Keep checking the official website regularly around this date.
The exact counselling dates will be announced along with the results. Make sure you have all required documents ready for the counselling process.
The cutoff numbers we discussed are estimates based on previous years. Your actual target should be to score as high as possible rather than just aiming for the minimum. The higher you score, the better your chances of getting into your preferred AIIMS campus. Good luck with your preparation.
