AIIMS Nursing Officer NORCET-11 Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi has officially released the syllabus and exam pattern for the Nursing Officer Recruitment Common Eligibility Test (NORCET-11) scheduled for 2026, as stated in Notice No. 103/2026 dated July 24, 2026. This exam aims to recruit Nursing Officers across various AIIMS institutions. As NORCET consists of two distinct stages, it is crucial for candidates to familiarize themselves with both the syllabus and the exam structure to prepare effectively. Below, we present a detailed overview of the NORCET-11 syllabus, exam format, selection criteria, and preparation strategies based on the official announcement.
Overview of AIIMS Nursing Officer Syllabus 2026
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi |
| Exam Name | Nursing Officer Recruitment Common Eligibility Test (NORCET) - 11 |
| Notice Number | 103/2026 dated July 24, 2026 |
| Post | Nursing Officer |
| Number of Stages | Two - Stage I: NORCET Preliminary; Stage II: NORCET Main |
| Total Questions | Stage I: 100; Stage II: 160 |
| Total Marks | Stage I: 100; Stage II: 160 |
| Duration | Stage I: 90 minutes; Stage II: 180 minutes |
| Negative Marking | 1/3 mark will be deducted for each incorrect response in both stages |
| Mode of Exam | Online, Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Official Website | aiimsexams.ac.in |
Download AIIMS Nursing Officer Syllabus 2026
To access the official AIIMS Nursing Officer Syllabus 2026 PDF, including the latest information on the NORCET-11 exam structure, marking scheme, and selection process, please refer to the following link:
Download AIIMS Nursing Officer Syllabus 2026
AIIMS Nursing Officer Exam Pattern 2026
The exam pattern for NORCET-11 varies between the Preliminary and Main stages, organized in a sectional format. Once the time allocated for a section concludes, candidates cannot return to that section.
Stage I: NORCET Preliminary Exam Pattern
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Total Questions | 100 MCQs (each with four options) |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Subject-wise Split | 20 questions - General Knowledge & Aptitude; 80 questions - Nursing courses at the essential qualification level |
| Sectional Pattern | 5 sections, each allotted 18 minutes, with 20 questions provided in sequence |
| Negative Marking | 1/3 mark will be deducted for each incorrect response |
| Nature of Exam | Qualifying only; scores are not included in the final merit list |
Qualifying Criteria for Stage I (Category-wise Percentiles)
The qualifying criteria for Stage I are as follows:
- UR / EWS: 50 percentile
- OBC: 45 percentile
- SC / ST: 40 percentile
- PWBD (UR/EWS): 45 percentile
- PWBD (OBC): 40 percentile
- PWBD (SC/ST): 35 percentile
Stage II: NORCET Main Exam Pattern
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 180 minutes |
| Total Questions | 160 MCQs (each offering four options) |
| Total Marks | 160 |
| Subject Coverage | Complete syllabus of Nursing courses at essential qualification level, with a focus on case-scenario-based questions |
| Sectional Pattern | 4 sections of 45 minutes each, with 40 questions in each section, released sequentially |
| Negative Marking | 1/3 mark will be deducted for each incorrect response |
| Nature of Exam | Determines the final merit list |
Qualifying Criteria for Stage II (Category-wise Percentages)
The qualifying percentages for Stage II are outlined below:
- UR / EWS: 50%
- OBC: 45%
- SC / ST: 40%
- PWBD (UR/EWS): 45%
- PWBD (OBC): 40%
- PWBD (SC/ST): 35%
If the Stage II examination is conducted in multiple shifts, the AIIMS normalization process, as per Notice No. 35/2023 dated January 20, 2023, will be used to determine the scores.
AIIMS Nursing Officer Syllabus 2026
The official notification specifies that "the syllabus will adhere to the educational qualifications and experience outlined in the Eligibility Section/Advertisement." Therefore, a standalone topic-wise syllabus PDF has not been provided for NORCET-11. Nevertheless, the syllabus structure is summarized below:
1. General Knowledge & Aptitude (Stage I only)
This section contributes 20 out of 100 questions in Stage I and is not applicable for Stage II. Specific topics in this area are not delineated in the official notification.
2. Nursing Subject (Stage I and Stage II)
Stage I comprises 80 out of 100 questions derived from the syllabus related to Nursing courses at the essential qualification level (B.Sc Nursing/Post-Basic B.Sc Nursing/GNM, as applicable). Stage II features all 160 questions, covering the complete syllabus while focusing primarily on case-scenario-based questions that assess nursing competency and skills rather than pure theoretical knowledge. Individual subjects and their weightage are not specified.
Given that the NORCET-11 announcement lacks topic-wise details, candidates should prepare using their B.Sc Nursing or GNM coursework as prescribed by the Indian Nursing Council or their State Nursing Council. It is advisable to monitor the official site for any updates or additional syllabus information closer to the exam date.
AIIMS Nursing Officer Selection Process 2026
The selection process for the Nursing Officer position in NORCET-11 proceeds in stages as mentioned below:
- Stage I – NORCET Preliminary: This stage serves as a qualifying test only, and the scores are not included in the final rank/merit.
- Shortlisting for Stage II: Candidates who meet the category-specific qualifying percentile, totaling five times the available seats for each category (UR, OBC, SC, ST, EWS), will be invited for Stage II. All qualifying PWBD candidates and those tied at the final cutoff in the shortlist will also be included.
- Stage II – NORCET Main: This stage determines the final merit list. The merit list of qualified candidates will be based solely on the performance in Stage II, considering the category-wise qualifying scores.
- Choice-filling and Allocation: Successful and eligible candidates will be prompted to fill in their choices for the participating AIIMS institutions. Seat allocation occurs strictly in accordance with merit based on the selected preferences. It is noteworthy that there is only one round of allocation, and no waiting list is kept since NORCET is conducted biannually.
- Document Verification: Provisionally selected candidates must present original certificates for verification as determined by the relevant participating AIIMS/Institute.
In the event of a tie in Stage II results, the resolution will follow this order: fewer incorrect answers in Stage II, higher marks in Stage I, fewer incorrect answers in Stage I, older birth date, and finally, alphabetical order of the candidate's name.
Preparation Tips for AIIMS Nursing Officer Exam 2026
- Commence with the syllabus from your qualifying course: Since NORCET questions stem directly from the syllabus of Nursing courses taught at the essential qualification level, thoroughly review your B.Sc Nursing/GNM syllabus systematically instead of searching for a separate NORCET syllabus PDF.
- Practice sectional timed sets: Given the strict sectional format of the exam (Stage I: 5x18 minutes; Stage II: 4x45 minutes) with no option to revisit sections, work on solving timed question sets to increase speed and efficiency in each segment.
- Focus on accuracy over guesswork: With a 1/3 negative marking system in both stages, refrain from guessing on questions unless you are reasonably sure of the answer.
- Concentrate on case-scenario questions for Stage II: Since this stage emphasizes clinical competency through case-scenario questions, it is vital to practice applying nursing concepts to practical patient care situations rather than solely memorizing theoretical knowledge.
- Keep track of category-wise qualifying marks: Be aware of your corresponding qualifying percentile for Stage I or percentage for Stage II based on your category for realistic score setting.
- Revise General Knowledge & Aptitude separately: As this section is applicable only to Stage I (20 out of 100 questions), allocate your study time accordingly, avoiding excessive focus on it.
Important Links for AIIMS Nursing Officer Syllabus 2026
AIIMS Nursing Officer Syllabus 2026 - FAQs
What is the AIIMS Nursing Officer syllabus 2026?
The syllabus for AIIMS Nursing Officer, according to the official NORCET-11 notification, is derived from the educational qualifications outlined in the Eligibility section, specifically the nursing courses at the essential qualification level (B.Sc Nursing/GNM), along with General Knowledge & Aptitude for Stage I. AIIMS has not issued a distinct topic-wise syllabus PDF for NORCET-11.
What is the exam pattern for AIIMS Nursing Officer NORCET-11?
NORCET-11 comprises two stages: Stage I (Preliminary) includes 100 MCQs worth 100 marks within 90 minutes, consisting of 20 General Knowledge & Aptitude questions and 80 Nursing-related questions, serving purely as a qualifying exam. Meanwhile, Stage II (Main) contains 160 MCQs worth 160 marks in 180 minutes, focusing on the full nursing syllabus and involving case-scenario questions, which determines the final merit list.
How many questions are asked in the AIIMS Nursing Officer exam?
Stage I consists of 100 questions, whereas Stage II comprises 160 questions, as detailed in the official notification.
What are the qualifying marks for NORCET-11?
For Stage I, the qualifying marks are set at 50 percentile for UR/EWS candidates, 45 percentile for OBC, and 40 percentile for SC/ST, with an additional relaxation of 5 percentile for PWBD candidates in each category. For Stage II, the qualifying marks are 50% for UR/EWS, 45% for OBC, and 40% for SC/ST, along with a similar 5% relaxation for PWBD candidates.
Where can I download the AIIMS Nursing Officer syllabus PDF?
The official NORCET-11 announcement (Notice No. 103/2026 dated July 24, 2026) does not provide a downloadable topic-wise syllabus PDF. Candidates should refer to the "Important Links" section above and the official AIIMS Examination website (www.aiimsexams.ac.in) for any potential updates or additional documents.