The INI SS syllabus for the January 2027 session has two parts: questions from the general or basic component of your MD, MS or DNB degree, and questions from the systems and sub-specialty of the DM or M.Ch. course you choose. AIIMS New Delhi does not publish a separate topic list. The exam is expected on 24 October 2026.
INI SS Syllabus January 2027
This page explains what the INI SS paper covers, the exam pattern and marking, the official source of the syllabus and how to prepare.
What is the INI SS syllabus?
The INI SS paper is set from your qualifying degree and your chosen super-specialty. The prospectus says questions come from the general or basic component of the qualifying MD/MS/DNB, and from the sub-specialty, systems or components of the course you apply for.
| Part | What it covers |
|---|---|
| General or basic component | Core topics of your MD, MS or DNB specialty, such as Medicine, Paediatrics, Surgery, Pathology or Psychiatry |
| Sub-specialty component | Systems and topics of the DM or M.Ch. course you applied for, such as Cardiology, Neurology or Urology |
INI SS Syllabus by Course Type
Your feeder degree decides the base of your paper. Common examples from the latest prospectus are below.
| Course | Feeder degree (AIIMS) | Main focus |
|---|---|---|
| DM Cardiology | MD/DNB Medicine or Paediatrics | Medicine base plus cardiovascular system |
| DM Neurology | MD Medicine or Paediatrics | Medicine base plus nervous system |
| DM Nephrology | MD/DNB Medicine or Paediatrics | Medicine base plus kidney and renal disease |
| DM Gastroenterology | MD/DNB Medicine | Medicine base plus GI tract and liver |
| DM Endocrinology | MD/DNB Medicine or Paediatrics | Medicine base plus endocrine system |
| DM Neonatology | MD Paediatrics | Paediatrics base plus newborn care |
| M.Ch. Neurosurgery | MS/DNB Surgery | Surgery base plus neurosurgical topics |
| M.Ch. Urology | MS Surgery or General Surgery | Surgery base plus urological topics |
| M.Ch. Plastic Surgery | MS Surgery, ENT or Orthopaedics | Surgery base plus plastic and reconstructive topics |
Feeder degrees can differ between AIIMS, PGIMER, JIPMER, NIMHANS and SCTIMST for the same course, so check the course table in the prospectus.
What is the INI SS exam pattern and marking scheme?
Stage I is a 90-minute CBT with 80 single-correct questions, +1 for a right answer and minus 1/3 for a wrong one. Candidates for AIIMS and PGIMER seats also take a 20-mark Stage II departmental assessment.
| Feature | Stage I (all institutes) |
|---|---|
| Mode | Computer-based test (CBT) |
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Questions | 80 objective questions, single correct choice |
| Total marks | 80 |
| Marking | +1 for a correct answer, minus 1/3 for a wrong answer, 0 for unanswered |
| Language | English |
| Qualifying marks | 50 percent (40 out of 80) |
Is there an official INI SS syllabus PDF?
No separate syllabus PDF is released. The scope of the paper is defined in the Scheme of Examination section of the INI-SS prospectus, which is listed below with the latest session notice.
- PDFAIIMS Admission Notice No. 155/2026: INI-SS January 2027 session (23 September 2026)Official site · medicaldialogues.inOpen
- PDFINI-SS Prospectus, July 2026 session (latest available) (30 March 2026)Official site · medicaldialogues.inOpen
- LINKAIIMS Examination Section official website (INI-SS)Official site · aiimsexams.ac.inOpen
How to Prepare for the INI SS January 2027 Exam
- Revise your MD/MS core subject thoroughly, because the general component is common to everyone from your specialty.
- Read the standard textbook of your chosen super-specialty, for example Braunwald for Cardiology or Campbell-Walsh for Urology.
- Follow recent guidelines and major trials in your specialty, as clinical questions often test current practice.
- Practise 80-question timed tests in 90 minutes, and avoid blind guessing because of the 1/3 negative mark.
- Solve recall-based INI SS previous year question papers to learn the question style.
- If you are aiming for AIIMS or PGIMER, prepare for the Stage II online assessment with case discussions in your specialty.