AIIMS
All India Institute of Medical Sciences Recruitment
AIIMS Recruitment Exam (NORCET, Paramedical, Technical and Non-Teaching Posts)
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, on behalf of all AIIMS institutes, conducts common recruitment exams for Nursing, Paramedical, Technical and Non-Teaching posts. Notifications, applications and results are published on the official portal at aiimsexams.ac.in (AIIMS AERA).
The flagship recruitment is the Nursing Officer Recruitment Common Eligibility Test (NORCET), a common Computer-Based Test (CBT) for the post of Nursing Officer across all AIIMS. Separate common drives cover paramedical staff, technical staff and non-teaching Group B/C posts, selected through a CBT plus document verification, with a skill/typing test or interview for select posts. Figures from earlier cycles are marked tentative.
Overview / Key Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | AIIMS Recruitment (NORCET / Paramedical / Technical / Non-Teaching) |
| Conducting Body | AIIMS New Delhi (for all AIIMS) |
| Exam Level | National (common CBT for all AIIMS) |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) - online |
| Medium | English (Hindi/regional for some posts; check notice) |
| Selection Stages | CBT → DV → (Skill/Interview for select posts) → Medical Exam (health posts) |
| Number of Stages | 2-3 depending on the post |
| Negative Marking | Yes; typically 1/3rd per wrong answer (NORCET) |
| Official Website | aiimsexams.ac.in (AIIMS AERA portal) |
Selection Process
For most posts the CBT is the sole merit-determining stage; the skill test/interview is qualifying.
- Stage 1 - CBT: Objective MCQ test of the post's professional subject (e.g., Nursing for NORCET) and, where applicable, General Knowledge/Aptitude. CBT marks normally decide the final merit.
- Stage 2 - Skill / Typing Test or Interview: Only for select posts (e.g., typing for clerical/steno). Usually qualifying.
- Stage 3 - Document Verification: Original certificates, mark sheets, Nursing Council registration (for nurses), caste/PwBD certificate, age proof and experience letters.
- Stage 4 - Medical Examination: For Nursing and health-care posts; candidates must meet prescribed medical standards.
In NORCET, based on earlier cycles, the CBT score prepares one combined merit list for all participating AIIMS and candidates choose their preferred institute during counselling/choice-filling.
Exam Pattern
NORCET (Nursing Officer Recruitment Common Eligibility Test)
NORCET is the common exam for Nursing Officer (including Nursing Officer Depot / NOD). Based on the previous cycle, the CBT has 100 objective questions / 100 marks with negative marking of 1/3rd per wrong answer (tentative).
| Paper | Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBT (single paper) | Nursing subjects (Anatomy & Physiology, Fundamentals, Medical-Surgical, OBG, Paediatric, Community Health, Psychiatric Nursing, etc.) | 100 | 100 | 90 minutes (approx.) |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 90 minutes | |
Paramedical, Technical and Non-Teaching Posts
Paramedical/technical CBTs are subject-specific, followed by an optional skill test; clerical/steno posts have a typing test and/or interview. Indicative pattern below.
| Post Group | CBT Subjects | Questions (approx.) | Additional Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paramedical (Lab/OT/X-ray/ECG Technician, etc.) | Subject-specific professional knowledge + Basic GK/Aptitude for some posts | 100 | Skill test for select posts |
| Technical (Junior Engineer, etc.) | Respective technical discipline + General Knowledge/Aptitude | 100 | Skill test for select posts |
| Non-Teaching Group B/C (UDC, LDC, Stenographer, PA) | General English, GK/Current Affairs, Reasoning, Aptitude; typing for clerical/steno | 100 | Typing test / interview |
Negative marking applies in most AIIMS CBT recruitments (about 1/3rd per wrong answer). The CBT is generally merit-determining.
Detailed Syllabus
Anatomy and Physiology (Nursing)
- Cell structure and body tissues (epithelial, connective, muscular, nervous)
- Skeletal system - bones, joints; muscular system - major muscles and actions
- Cardiovascular system - heart, blood vessels, blood, blood pressure
- Respiratory system - lungs, trachea, gaseous exchange, breathing mechanics
- Digestive system - alimentary canal, digestion and absorption
- Urinary system - kidneys, nephrons, urine formation and excretion
- Nervous system - brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves, reflexes
- Endocrine system - major glands and hormones
- Reproductive system and the menstrual cycle
- Sense organs; lymphatic system and immunity
Fundamentals of Nursing
- Nursing process - assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation
- Vital signs - temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, oxygen saturation
- Personal hygiene and daily patient care procedures
- Admission, transfer and discharge of patients; positioning and mobilising
- Infection control - medical/surgical asepsis, isolation precautions, hand hygiene
- Disinfection and sterilisation methods; IV therapy and fluid management
- Medication administration - routes, dosage calculations, five rights
- Catheterisation, enema, specimen collection; pre-operative and post-operative care
- Nursing ethics, patient rights, records; emergency and first aid care
Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Cardiovascular - hypertension, IHD, MI, heart failure
- Respiratory - asthma, COPD, pneumonia, tuberculosis
- Gastrointestinal - ulcers, hepatitis, cirrhosis, pancreatitis
- Renal - nephritis, renal failure, dialysis care
- Endocrine - diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders
- Neurological - stroke, epilepsy, meningitis, head injury
- Haematological - anaemia, leukaemia, bleeding disorders; musculoskeletal - fractures, arthritis
- Infectious diseases - HIV/AIDS, dengue, malaria, COVID-19; shock, burns, trauma
- Oncology nursing, palliative care and common medical-surgical drugs
Obstetrics and Gynaecological Nursing
- Normal pregnancy - physiology, diagnosis, antenatal care and assessment
- Normal labour - stages, mechanisms, intranatal care
- Postnatal care of mother and newborn; breastfeeding and lactation management
- High-risk pregnancy - pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, multiple pregnancy
- Bleeding in pregnancy - abortion, ectopic pregnancy; obstructed labour, PPH
- Caesarean section and assisted delivery - preparation and care
- Family welfare and contraception methods; common gynaecological conditions (fibroids, PID, prolapse)
- Infertility and assisted reproduction basics; legal and ethical issues in maternity nursing
Paediatric Nursing
- Growth and development - milestones from infancy to adolescence
- Newborn assessment; care of normal and low-birth-weight newborn
- Immunisation schedule and child nutrition
- Common childhood infections - measles, mumps, chickenpox, polio
- Diarrhoeal diseases and ORS; acute respiratory infections and pneumonia care
- Protein-energy malnutrition; congenital anomalies
- Caring for the hospitalised child - play therapy, family involvement
- Paediatric emergencies - convulsions, dehydration, aspiration
- Adolescent health and counselling; ICDS and child welfare services
Community Health Nursing
- Community health concepts, health indicators, levels of prevention
- Health care delivery system - primary, secondary, tertiary care in India
- National Health Programmes - RCH, UIP, NTEP (TB), NACP (HIV), Malaria, NCDs
- PHC, CHC and sub-centre organisation; epidemiology - transmission, surveillance, outbreaks
- Environment and health - safe water, sanitation, waste disposal
- School health and occupational health services
- Home visiting, health education and community diagnosis
- Maternal and child health care in the community; family planning
- First aid, disaster management, mental health and geriatric care in the community
Psychiatric Nursing
- Mental health concepts and classification basics
- Therapeutic communication and the nurse-patient relationship
- Schizophrenia - types, symptoms, management, nursing care
- Mood disorders - depression, mania, bipolar disorder care
- Anxiety, OCD, phobias and somatoform disorders
- Substance abuse - alcohol/drug dependence, de-addiction; suicide risk assessment
- Psychopharmacology - antipsychotics, antidepressants, anxiolytics; ECT care
- Hospital and community care; Mental Health Act and ethical issues
Professional Trends, Nursing Education, Research and Administration
- History of nursing in India; INC and State Nursing Councils
- Nursing ethics, code of conduct and professional responsibilities
- Nursing education - diploma, degree, post-basic and continuing education
- Nursing research - research process, sampling, data collection, ethics
- Evidence-based practice and quality assurance
- Nursing administration - organisation, staffing, budgeting, records
- Leadership, supervision and delegation; patient safety and incident reporting
- Biomedical waste management; nursing audits and standards
- Current trends - telehealth, AI in health care, pandemic preparedness
Paramedical and Technical Subjects (indicative)
- Laboratory Science - specimen collection; haematology (CBC, ESR); biochemistry (glucose, LFT, KFT); microbiology (culture, staining); serology; lab safety and quality control
- Operation Theatre Technology - OT layout, sterility, instruments, anaesthesia basics, positioning
- Radiography / X-ray - X-ray physics, image formation, digital radiography, radiation protection, CT/MRI basics
- ECG / Cardiology - ECG recording and interpretation, cardiac anatomy, common arrhythmias
- Physiotherapy - biomechanics, therapeutic exercises, electrotherapy modalities
- Engineering posts - basics of the relevant branch plus aptitude
General Knowledge, Reasoning and Aptitude (where applicable)
- Current affairs - national and international events of the last 6-12 months
- Indian history, polity (Constitution, Parliament), geography and economy
- General science - physics, chemistry, biology at secondary level
- Sports, awards, books and authors; government schemes
- Logical reasoning - series, analogies, coding-decoding, blood relations
- Numerical aptitude - percentages, ratios, averages, time and work
- English - grammar, vocabulary, synonyms/antonyms, comprehension
- Health schemes - Ayushman Bharat, National Health Mission, flagship policies
Marking Scheme
| Parameter | Details (NORCET pattern; tentative) |
|---|---|
| Marks per question | 1 mark (100 questions = 100 marks) |
| Negative marking | 1/3rd per wrong answer; none for unattempted |
| Qualifying marks | Decided cycle-wise; reserved categories get relaxations |
| Cut-off factors | Vacancies, paper difficulty, candidate numbers, category reservation |
| Merit basis | CBT score (plus qualifying status of skill test where applicable) |
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- Nursing Officer (NORCET): B.Sc (Hons)/B.Sc/Post-Basic B.Sc Nursing or GNM (as per notification) from a recognised institute, with Nursing Council registration.
- Paramedical posts: 10+2 with science plus the relevant diploma/degree (e.g., DMLT, OT Technology); some posts need experience.
- Technical posts: Diploma/Degree in the relevant engineering branch.
- Non-Teaching B/C posts: Graduate/12th pass as prescribed, with typing speed for clerical/steno posts.
Age Limit
Based on the previous cycle, the age limit for most posts is 18-35 years, with relaxations (SC/ST 5 years, OBC 3 years, PwBD 10+ years, ex-servicemen as per government rules).
Number of Attempts
No fixed attempt limit for most AIIMS exams. NORCET candidates may appear multiple times; the NOD category had a maximum of three attempts in earlier cycles (tentative).
Application Process & Fees
Applications are online only on the AIIMS AERA portal (aiimsexams.ac.in): register, fill the form, upload documents, pay the fee online and keep the submitted form's printout.
| Category | Application Fee (NORCET; previous cycle, tentative) |
|---|---|
| General / EWS / OBC | Approx. Rs. 1000-3000 (varies by cycle and post) |
| SC / ST | Reduced fee (cycle-specific) |
| PwBD / Female | Relaxation/exemption as per notification |
Important dates (application window, CBT date) are announced cycle-wise in the AERA portal's Notices and Key Dates sections.
Salary / Pay Scale
| Post | Pay Level (7th CPC) | Basic Pay (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing Officer | Level 7 | Rs. 44,900 - 1,42,400 (plus NPA/allowances) |
| Paramedical staff | Level 4 - 6 | Rs. 25,500 - 81,100 |
| Technical staff (JE, etc.) | Level 5 - 6 | Rs. 29,200 - 81,100 |
| Non-Teaching Group B (UDC, PA) | Level 4 - 6 | Rs. 25,500 - 81,100 |
| Non-Teaching Group C (LDC) | Level 2 - 3 | Rs. 19,900 - 47,600 |
Employees also get DA, HRA, transport allowance and other central allowances; in-hand salary varies by posting city. Figures are indicative.
Official Links & PDFs
- Official AIIMS AERA Portal - official site for all AIIMS recruitment and NORCET notifications.
- AIIMS AERA - Key Dates - tentative examination calendar.
- AIIMS AERA - Notices - current notifications and corrigenda.
- AIIMS AERA - Miscellaneous Notices - additional updates.
- AIIMS AERA - Support - candidate help.
- AIIMS New Delhi Main Portal - institute-level recruitment notices.
Note: The detailed notification and official syllabus PDF for the current cycle are hosted on aiimsexams.ac.in under the relevant recruitment notice.
Preparation Tips & Strategy
- Read the official notification PDF from aiimsexams.ac.in first to confirm the exact syllabus, pattern, negative marking, fee and age rules.
- For NORCET, revise NCERT-level Anatomy & Physiology and standard texts (Ross & Wilson, Brunner & Suddarth, Swaminathan) daily.
- Practise previous-cycle papers and mocks to master the 1/3rd negative marking; attempt only confident questions.
- Track current affairs, GK and health schemes (NHM, Ayushman Bharat, NTEP, UIP) where asked.
- For paramedical/technical posts, revise your discipline's textbooks, lab protocols and instruments; practise for the skill test.
- Make short notes for pharmacology, immunisation schedules and OBG/paediatric milestones - high-yield areas.
- Take weekly timed mocks and analyse weak topics; keep certificates ready before DV; register early on the AERA portal.
FAQ
Q: What is NORCET and who conducts it?
A: NORCET (Nursing Officer Recruitment Common Eligibility Test) is the common CBT by AIIMS New Delhi to recruit Nursing Officers across all AIIMS.
Q: What is the NORCET exam pattern?
A: Based on the previous cycle, a 100-question, 100-mark CBT of about 90 minutes on nursing subjects, with 1/3rd negative marking. Confirm details from the current notification.
Q: Who can apply for the AIIMS Nursing Officer post?
A: B.Sc (Hons)/B.Sc/Post-Basic B.Sc Nursing or GNM candidates with Nursing Council registration, as per the notification. Age is generally 18-35 years with category relaxations.
Q: Is there negative marking in AIIMS exams?
A: Yes. For NORCET and most AIIMS CBT recruitments, about 1/3rd mark is deducted per wrong answer; unattempted questions carry no penalty.
Q: How do I apply?
A: Online only via the AIIMS AERA portal (aiimsexams.ac.in) when the notification is released; fill the form, upload documents and pay the fee online.
Q: Where are the official notification and syllabus PDFs?
A: In the Recruitment/Notices section of aiimsexams.ac.in.
Keep following the official AIIMS AERA portal (aiimsexams.ac.in), especially the Notices and Key Dates sections, for the latest notification, application dates, admit card and results.