AIIMS Nursing Officer NORCET-11 Syllabus for 2026: Exam Pattern and Preparation Guide
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi has officially declared the syllabus and exam pattern for the Nursing Officer Recruitment Common Eligibility Test (NORCET-11), specified in Notice No. 103/2026 dated July 24, 2026. This examination aims to fill nursing officer positions across various AIIMS institutions, including AIIMS New Delhi. Since NORCET consists of two distinct stages, each with its own scoring system, time limits, and qualifying standards, it is essential for aspirants to understand the syllabus and structure to enhance their preparation. In this article, we will explore the official exam pattern, selection process, scoring system, and useful preparation strategies based on the official guidelines.
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 subtracted for each incorrect answer in both stages |
| Mode of Exam | Online, Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Official Website | aiimsexams.ac.in |
Download the AIIMS Nursing Officer Syllabus 2026
To access the latest exam format, scoring system, selection criteria, and syllabus broken down by stage provided by AIIMS New Delhi for NORCET-11, download the official syllabus PDF. This document will present comprehensive insights into both the Preliminary and Main exams, along with qualifying standards, helping you refine your approach for the NORCET 2026.
Download AIIMS Nursing Officer Syllabus 2026
AIIMS Nursing Officer Exam Pattern 2026
The NORCET-11 exam pattern varies for the two stages, each characterized by a defined, timed structure. Candidates should be aware that once the timer for a section runs out, they 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 basic qualification level |
| Sectional Pattern | 5 sections of 18 minutes each, 20 questions presented per section, shown one at a time |
| Negative Marking | 1/3 mark will be deducted for incorrect responses |
| Nature of Exam | Qualifying only; not accounted in the final merit |
Qualifying Criteria (Stage I, Category-wise Percentile)
| Category | Qualifying Percentile |
|---|---|
| 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 with four options) |
| Total Marks | 160 |
| Subject Coverage | Complete syllabus of Nursing courses at the basic qualification level, emphasizing case-scenario questions that evaluate nursing skills |
| Sectional Pattern | 4 sections of 45 minutes each, 40 questions per section, issued in sequence |
| Negative Marking | 1/3 mark will be deducted for answers marked incorrectly |
| Nature of Exam | Determines the final merit list |
Qualifying Criteria (Stage II, Category-wise Percentage)
| Category | Qualifying Percentage |
|---|---|
| UR / EWS | 50% |
| OBC | 45% |
| SC / ST | 40% |
| PWBD (UR/EWS) | 45% |
| PWBD (OBC) | 40% |
| PWBD (SC/ST) | 35% |
If the Stage II CBT occurs in multiple shifts, the AIIMS normalization method will be applied as outlined in Notice No. 35/2023 dated January 20, 2023.
AIIMS Nursing Officer Syllabus 2026
As indicated in the official notification, "the syllabus will correspond to the educational qualifications and experience referenced in the Eligibility Section/Advertisement." Therefore, AIIMS has not provided a separate, detailed topic-wise syllabus PDF for NORCET-11. Candidates are advised to consult their B.Sc Nursing / GNM curriculum as outlined by the Indian Nursing Council or the respective State Nursing Councils, prioritizing the syllabus related to the basic qualification level. Below is a general outline of the syllabus:
- General Knowledge & Aptitude (Stage I only)
20 out of 100 questions in Stage I relate to this section. It does not apply to Stage II, and specific topics have not been detailed in the official notification. - Nursing Subject (Stage I and II)
In Stage I, 80 out of 100 questions will address the nursing syllabus at the basic qualification level (B.Sc Nursing / Post-Basic B.Sc Nursing / GNM, as needed). During Stage II, all 160 questions will encompass the complete nursing syllabus, focusing on case-scenario questions vital for assessing nursing competence.
Students should keep in mind that the official NORCET-11 notification does not provide a topic-wise segmentation of subjects. Consequently, it is recommended for candidates to remain informed via the latest official announcements or any syllabus appendices that AIIMS may issue prior to the exam date.
AIIMS Nursing Officer Selection Process 2026
The Nursing Officer selection process through NORCET-11 adheres to a structured procedure:
- Stage I – NORCET Preliminary: This is solely a qualifying exam, and scores from this stage do not affect the final merit.
- Shortlisting for Stage II: Candidates who satisfy the qualifying standards for Stage I, equivalent to five times the total openings in each category (UR, OBC, SC, ST, EWS), will advance to the subsequent stage. Additionally, all qualifying PWBD candidates and those involved in tie situations at the final shortlisting stage will proceed to Stage II.
- Stage II – NORCET Main: This phase determines the final merit list, ranking candidates strictly according to their performance in Stage II, following the category-wise qualifying marks.
- Choice-filling and Allocation: Eligible candidates will indicate their preferences for participating AIIMS institutions. Allocations will be conducted purely based on merit aligned with their preferences, with no waiting lists maintained as NORCET occurs biannually.
- Document Verification: Provisionally selected candidates must present original documents for verification, as specified by the respective participating AIIMS/Institute.
In cases of ties in Stage II results, the following order of priority will be applied: fewer wrong answers in Stage II, higher marks in Stage I, fewer incorrect answers in Stage I, older birth date, and alphabetical order of the candidate's name.
How to Prepare for AIIMS Nursing Officer Exam 2026
- Review Your Qualifying Course Syllabus: Since NORCET questions stem from the essential nursing qualifications, methodically revise your B.Sc Nursing/GNM coursework rather than looking for a separate syllabus PDF.
- Practice Timed Sectional Sets: As both exam stages are distinctly sectional, practice answering question sets within fixed time limits to enhance speed within designated sections.
- Focus on Accuracy: To avoid losing points due to incorrect answers, exercise caution with guessing since both stages implement 1/3 negative marking.
- Work on Case Scenario Questions: For Stage II, emphasize applying nursing concepts to relevant patient-care situations instead of merely studying theoretical content.
- Track Qualifying Marks: Be aware of the qualifying percentiles for Stage I and percentages for Stage II according to your category to set achievable score targets.
- Revise General Knowledge & Aptitude Separately: As this section is exclusive to Stage I, allocate appropriate study time without placing excessive focus on it.
AIIMS Nursing Officer Syllabus 2026 - Important Links
AIIMS Nursing Officer Syllabus 2026 - FAQs
What is the AIIMS Nursing Officer syllabus 2026?
According to the official NORCET-11 notification, the syllabus is based on academic qualifications and experience specified in the Eligibility section, which includes Nursing courses at the essential qualification level (B.Sc Nursing/GNM), along with General Knowledge & Aptitude for Stage I. AIIMS has not disseminated a topic-wise syllabus PDF for NORCET-11.
What is the exam pattern for AIIMS Nursing Officer NORCET-11?
NORCET-11 consists of two stages: Stage I (Preliminary) includes 100 MCQs for 100 marks within 90 minutes (20 General Knowledge & Aptitude + 80 Nursing) and serves as a qualifying exam. Stage II (Main) presents 160 MCQs for 160 marks in 180 minutes, covering the entire nursing syllabus with case-scenario-based questions, which ultimately determine the final merit.
How many questions are asked in the AIIMS Nursing Officer exam?
Stage I comprises 100 questions, while Stage II contains 160 questions, according to the official notification.
What are the qualifying marks for NORCET-11?
Qualifying marks for Stage I are established at 50 percentile for UR/EWS, 45 percentile for OBC, and 40 percentile for SC/ST, with an additional 5 percentile concession for PWBD candidates across all categories. In Stage II, qualifying marks are set at 50% for UR/EWS, 45% for OBC, and 40% for SC/ST, with a similar 5% relaxation for PWBD candidates.
Where can I download the AIIMS Nursing Officer syllabus PDF?
In the official NORCET-11 notification (Notice No. 103/2026 dated July 24, 2026), there is no specific downloadable syllabus PDF outlining individual topics. Candidates should consult the "Important Links" section provided above and the official AIIMS Examination website (www.aiimsexams.ac.in) for potential updates or appendices.