Understanding the NORCET exam pattern and syllabus is the first step of any serious preparation for the AIIMS Nursing Officer recruitment. AIIMS New Delhi now conducts NORCET in two computer-based stages, Prelims and Mains, with negative marking in both. This guide explains the current pattern as followed in NORCET 10 and NORCET 11 (2026), the subject-wise syllabus, how previous papers from 2021 to 2025 have changed, and how to use them in your preparation.
NORCET exam pattern and syllabus at a glance
AIIMS moved from a single online paper to a two-stage format in recent cycles. The details below are based on the NORCET 10 and NORCET 11 cycles held in 2026, as reported by the AIIMS notices and widely carried by exam portals. Always check the prospectus of your cycle on the official AIIMS exams website, because AIIMS can change the pattern from one cycle to the next.
| Feature | Stage I (Prelims) | Stage II (Mains) |
|---|---|---|
| Mode | Computer-based test (CBT) | Computer-based test (CBT) |
| Number of questions | 100 MCQs | 160 MCQs |
| Composition | 80 nursing + 20 general knowledge and aptitude | Nursing-focused, with clinical, case-based, image or video-based and priority questions |
| Duration | 90 minutes | 180 minutes |
| Sections | 5 sections of 20 questions, each with its own time limit (about 18 minutes) | 4 sections of 40 questions, each separately timed |
| Marking | +1 for a correct answer | +1 for a correct answer |
| Negative marking | 1/3 mark deducted per wrong answer | 1/3 mark deducted per wrong answer |
| Role | Screening round; qualifiers move to Stage II | Main merit-deciding stage |
Unattempted questions carry no marks and no penalty. Qualifying cut-offs are notified as percentiles by category in each cycle’s prospectus and result notice, so check the exact figures in the official documents of your cycle rather than relying on older numbers.
What sectional timing means for you
In a sectionally timed CBT you cannot go back to a section once its time ends, and you cannot carry unused time forward. Speed practice section by section is therefore as important as knowledge. Our NORCET preparation strategy explains how to build that speed with timed tests.
Negative marking: the maths
With +1 for a correct answer and minus one-third for a wrong one, three wrong answers cancel one right answer. A pure guess among four options has an expected value of zero, so random guessing does not help. If you can eliminate two options confidently, your chance improves to 50 percent and an attempt becomes worthwhile.
NORCET selection process
- Online application on the AIIMS exams portal with eligibility details, fee and exam city choice.
- Stage I (Prelims) CBT as a screening test.
- Stage II (Mains) CBT for candidates who qualify Stage I.
- Result and merit list with category-wise cut-offs.
- Institute allocation and document verification at the allotted AIIMS or participating institute, followed by appointment.
The exact merit rule (for example, how ties are resolved and whether any stage is only qualifying) is defined in the prospectus of each cycle. Read it carefully before the exam.
NORCET syllabus: subject-wise
AIIMS does not publish a chapter-by-chapter NORCET syllabus. Questions are drawn from the standard B.Sc Nursing and GNM curriculum prescribed by the Indian Nursing Council, plus general knowledge and aptitude. The table below covers what is regularly tested.
| Subject | Important topics |
|---|---|
| Anatomy and physiology | Cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, nervous, endocrine and digestive systems, blood, normal values |
| Fundamentals of nursing | Vital signs, infection control, asepsis, drug administration routes, positions, wound care, oxygen therapy, catheterisation, documentation |
| Medical-surgical nursing | All body systems, critical care, cardiac emergencies, burns, oncology, perioperative care, fluid and electrolytes, ABG |
| Pharmacology | Drug classes, dosage calculation, adverse effects, antidotes, emergency drugs, high-alert medications |
| Microbiology | Sterilisation and disinfection, biomedical waste, common pathogens, immunity |
| Obstetrics and gynaecology | Antenatal care, stages of labour, partograph, complications of pregnancy, postnatal care, family planning |
| Pediatric nursing | Growth and development, immunisation schedule, IMNCI, neonatal care, common childhood illnesses |
| Community health nursing | Epidemiology, national health programmes, health indicators, levels of prevention, primary health care |
| Psychiatric nursing | Defence mechanisms, disorders, psychopharmacology, therapeutic communication, mental health legislation |
| Nutrition | Nutrients, deficiency diseases, therapeutic diets, RDA basics |
| Nursing management, education and research | Principles of management, staffing, teaching methods, research designs and sampling |
| First aid and emergency | CPR, triage, shock, poisoning, fractures, disaster management |
| General knowledge and aptitude | Current affairs, Indian polity, history, geography, general science, reasoning and basic arithmetic |
Revise each subject with our free guides: OBG nursing notes, community health nursing notes, pediatric nursing notes and medical-surgical nursing notes.
Previous papers 2021 to 2025: how NORCET has changed
AIIMS does not release official subject-wise weightage, and question papers are not officially published after every cycle. The trends below are based on recall-based papers and candidate feedback across cycles, at a qualitative level.
Early cycles (around 2021 and 2022): fact-heavy papers
Earlier cycles were a single online paper with a mix of nursing and general questions. A large share of questions were direct, fact-based one-liners: normal values, drug side effects, definitions and programme facts. Medical-surgical nursing and fundamentals dominated.
2023 onward: more clinical reasoning
The shift towards scenario-based questions became clearly visible in later cycles. Questions started describing a patient and asking for the first or priority nursing action. Image-based identification of instruments, ECG strips and clinical signs appeared more often, and the papers felt lengthier.
Recent cycles up to 2025: the two-stage format
With the Prelims and Mains structure adopted by AIIMS in recent cycles, Prelims tests breadth and speed across nursing and aptitude, while Mains tests depth through case-based, priority and multimedia questions. Candidates from recent cycles have commonly reported that Mains questions are longer to read, making time management a key skill.
Consistent features across all years
- Medical-surgical nursing remains the single largest area.
- OBG, pediatrics, pharmacology and community health appear in every paper.
- Priority and “first action” questions reward ABC thinking and safety principles.
- Current affairs and basic aptitude are a fixed part of the general section.
How to use NORCET previous year questions
- Topic-wise first: after finishing a chapter, solve its PYQs to see how deep AIIMS goes.
- Paper-wise later: in the last two months, solve full recall papers under time limits.
- Verify answers: recall papers sometimes carry wrong keys. Check doubtful answers in a standard textbook.
- Mark repeat concepts: many concepts recur in a new form. Make a list of these and revise it weekly.
- Practise the new format: past papers alone do not prepare you for sectional timing. Combine them with mocks in the two-stage pattern from the NORCET test series.
Eligibility and notification
Eligibility (B.Sc Nursing or Post Basic B.Sc Nursing with registration, or GNM with registration and two years of experience in a 50-bed hospital, and the age limit) is explained on our AIIMS NORCET notification 2026 page, which also tracks the latest cycle dates.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are asked in NORCET Prelims and Mains?
In the 2026 cycles, Prelims had 100 questions in 90 minutes and Mains had 160 questions in 180 minutes. Confirm the numbers in the prospectus of your cycle.
Is there negative marking in NORCET?
Yes. One-third of a mark is deducted for each wrong answer. Unattempted questions are not penalised.
Is general knowledge asked in NORCET?
Yes. Prelims includes 20 general knowledge and aptitude questions covering current affairs, general science, reasoning and basic maths.
Can I go back to a previous section in NORCET?
No. Sections are separately timed, and once a section’s time is over the test moves to the next section.
Which subject has the highest weightage in NORCET?
AIIMS does not publish official weightage, but medical-surgical nursing has consistently formed the largest share of questions, followed by fundamentals, OBG, pediatrics, pharmacology and community health.
Prepare with Concept RNA
Master the two-stage NORCET exam pattern and syllabus with subject-wise classes and timed mocks that copy the real sectional format.