AIIMS Nursing Officer Syllabus 2026 for NORCET-11: Exam Pattern and Preparation Guide
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi has published the exam pattern and syllabus for the Nursing Officer Recruitment Common Eligibility Test (NORCET-11) in accordance with the official Notice No.103/2026, dated July 24, 2026. This assessment aims to select Nursing Officers for a variety of AIIMS facilities. Familiarizing oneself with the syllabus and the format of the two-section NORCET will help candidates create an efficient study strategy. This article details the syllabus, examination structure, selection process, marking system, and critical study tips as indicated in the official notice.
AIIMS Nursing Officer Syllabus 2026 - Overview
| 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 - First Stage: NORCET Preliminary, Second Stage: NORCET Main |
| Total Questions | First Stage: 100; Second Stage: 160 |
| Total Marks | First Stage: 100; Second Stage: 160 |
| Duration | First Stage: 90 minutes; Second Stage: 180 minutes |
| Negative Marking | 1/3 mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer in both phases |
| Mode of Exam | Online, Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Official Website | aiimsexams.ac.in |
Download the AIIMS Nursing Officer Syllabus 2026
To obtain the detailed syllabus and exam pattern for NORCET-11, candidates can download the official syllabus PDF. This document outlines the exam structure, marking system, selection process, and syllabus for both the Preliminary and Main examinations.
Download AIIMS Nursing Officer Syllabus 2026
AIIMS Nursing Officer Exam Pattern 2026
The NORCET-11 examination consists of two distinct phases, each featuring its own unique structure. Candidates will experience a timed, sectioned format in both stages, preventing them from revisiting earlier sections once the time limit has expired.
Stage I: NORCET Preliminary Exam Pattern
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Total Questions | 100 MCQs (four options available for each question) |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Subject-wise Split | 20 questions - General Knowledge & Aptitude; 80 questions - Nursing disciplines relevant to the required qualification level |
| Sectional Pattern | 5 sections, each with a duration of 18 minutes and containing 20 questions |
| Negative Marking | 1/3 mark will be deducted for each incorrect answer |
| Nature of Exam | This is a qualifying exam; scores do not contribute to the final merit |
Qualifying Criteria (Stage I, Category-wise 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 (four options per question) |
| Total Marks | 160 |
| Subject Coverage | A comprehensive syllabus of Nursing subjects at the required qualification level, with a focus on case-scenario questions aimed at evaluating nursing skills and competencies |
| Sectional Pattern | 4 sections, each lasting 45 minutes, containing 40 questions |
| Negative Marking | 1/3 mark will be deducted for each wrong answer |
| Nature of Exam | This will influence the final merit list |
Qualifying Criteria (Stage II, Category-wise Percentage)
- UR / EWS: 50%
- OBC: 45%
- SC / ST: 40%
- PWBD (UR/EWS): 45%
- PWBD (OBC): 40%
- PWBD (SC/ST): 35%
If Stage II is conducted across multiple sessions, the normalization method as specified by AIIMS will be utilized for the results.
AIIMS Nursing Officer Syllabus 2026
The official announcement indicates that the syllabus will align with the educational qualifications and experiences outlined in the Eligibility section. Specifically, the questions will pertain to Nursing courses at the required qualification level (such as B.Sc Nursing, Post-Basic B.Sc Nursing, or GNM), and there will be a section for General Knowledge & Aptitude for Stage I.
However, AIIMS has not published a separate, detailed topic-wise syllabus PDF for NORCET-11. Based on the official notice, the general structure of the syllabus is summarized as follows:
- General Knowledge & Aptitude (Stage I only)
- Consists of 20 questions out of the 100 in Stage I: NORCET Preliminary
- Irrelevant for Stage II: NORCET Main
- Specific areas within this section are not elaborated in the official communication
- Nursing Subject (Stage I and Stage II)
- Stage I: 80 out of 100 questions derived from Nursing courses applicable to the required qualification level
- Stage II: All 160 questions encompass the entire nursing syllabus at the essential qualification level, concentrating on case-scenario questions that assess both clinical reasoning and application, rather than purely theoretical knowledge
- Specific subjects or units and their significance have not been defined in the official notification
Given that the official NORCET-11 notification does not present a full topic-wise syllabus, candidates should primarily study from their respective B.Sc Nursing or GNM curriculum as recognized by the Indian Nursing Council or State Nursing Council. It is advisable for candidates to stay alert for any updates or additional syllabus documents that AIIMS may release as the exam date approaches.
AIIMS Nursing Officer Selection Process 2026
The selection process for the Nursing Officer position through NORCET-11 adheres to a systematic, stage-based framework:
- Stage I – NORCET Preliminary: This phase is solely a qualifying examination. Results from this stage are not included in the final merit list.
- Shortlisting for Stage II: Candidates who succeed in Stage I based on their category-specific qualifying percentiles will be shortlisted, accounting for a total of five times the available positions in each category (UR, OBC, SC, ST, EWS). Additionally, all qualifying PWBD candidates and ties at the lowest scores will also advance to Stage II.
- Stage II – NORCET Main: This examination is crucial for establishing the final merit list, which is determined exclusively by the results of Stage II and follows category-specific qualifying marks.
- Choice Filling and Allocation: Eligible candidates will be requested to indicate their preferences for the participating AIIMS institutes. Seat allocation will strictly follow the merit order based on candidates’ selections. Importantly, no waiting list will be maintained since NORCET is conducted biannually.
- Document Verification: Provisional candidates must provide original documents for verification as requested by the involved AIIMS/Institution.
In instances of ties in Stage II results, the resolution process will follow this order: fewer incorrect answers in Stage II, higher scores in Stage I, fewer incorrect answers in Stage I, older date of birth, followed by alphabetical order of the candidate's name.
How to Prepare for AIIMS Nursing Officer Exam 2026
- Review Your Qualifying Course Syllabus: Since NORCET is derived from the syllabus related to Nursing courses at the required qualification level, systematically review your B.Sc Nursing/GNM coursework instead of searching for a standalone NORCET syllabus PDF.
- Practice Sectional Timed Sets: Each stage comes with strict time limits for sections, making it vital to practice under timed conditions to boost speed.
- Emphasize Accuracy Over Guesswork: Given the negative marking policy, avoid guessing answers on questions that you find uncertain.
- Focus on Case-Scenario Questions for Stage II: Since this stage evaluates clinical competence, practice applying nursing principles to real-world patient care scenarios.
- Monitor Category-wise Qualifying Marks: Be aware of your qualifying percentiles (Stage I) or percentages (Stage II) relative to your category to set realistic score goals.
- Revise General Knowledge & Aptitude Separately: This section is relevant only for Stage I (20 out of 100 questions), so allocate your study time accordingly.
AIIMS Nursing Officer Syllabus 2026 - Important Links
Download 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, as detailed in the official NORCET-11 notification, is based on the educational qualifications and experiences specified in the Eligibility section. This includes Nursing courses at the essential qualification level (B.Sc Nursing/GNM) along with General Knowledge & Aptitude for Stage I. There is no individual topic-wise syllabus PDF available for NORCET-11.
What is the exam pattern for AIIMS Nursing Officer NORCET-11?
NORCET-11 consists of two stages: Stage I (Preliminary) contains 100 MCQs for a total of 100 marks in 90 minutes (20 General Knowledge & Aptitude + 80 Nursing) and serves solely as a qualifying examination. Stage II (Main) includes 160 MCQs for 160 marks in 180 minutes, addressing the entire nursing syllabus through case-scenario-based questions, determining the final merit.
How many questions are asked in the AIIMS Nursing Officer exam?
According to the official notification, Stage I consists of 100 questions while Stage II comprises 160 queries.
What are the qualifying marks for NORCET-11?
The qualifying marks for Stage I are set 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. For Stage II, the qualifying scores are established at 50% for UR/EWS, 45% for OBC, and 40% for SC/ST, including a similar 5% relaxation for PWBD candidates.
Where can I download the AIIMS Nursing Officer syllabus PDF?
The official NORCET-11 notification does not provide a specific downloadable syllabus PDF that outlines topic-wise chapters. Candidates should consult the "Important Links" section given above and the official AIIMS Examination website (www.aiimsexams.ac.in) for any updates or additional resources.