INI SS 2026 PGIMER Chandigarh seat allotment is expected around June 29, 2026, and closing ranks for DM super-specialty seats at PGIMER typically range from single digits for high-demand branches like Cardiology and Nephrology to well above 100 for less competitive ones like Clinical Pharmacology.

PGIMER Chandigarh is one of the most sought-after destinations for super-specialty training under the INI SS counselling process, offering the second-highest seat intake among all participating Institutes of National Importance. The closing rank at PGIMER for any DM or MCh branch depends on the number of seats, category distribution between general and sponsored candidates, and the performance of applicants in Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the INI SS exam. With 134 total seats spread across DM, MCh and MD Hospital Administration programmes, PGIMER Chandigarh sees intense competition for branches such as DM Cardiology, DM Nephrology, DM Gastroenterology and MCh Neurosurgery.

  • PGIMER Chandigarh total INI SS seats: 134 — second only to AIIMS New Delhi across all INIs.
  • INI SS Stage 1 is worth 80 marks (80 MCQs, +1/?0.33 marking); Stage 2 adds 20 marks for a total of 100.
  • DM Cardiology at PGIMER Chandigarh had a closing rank of 66 in 2024, reflecting both general and sponsored seats combined.
  • MD Hospital Administration seats are spread across INIs; PGIMER participates in the common pool of 34 seats available for this programme across all institutes.
  • All 2026 closing ranks on this page are expected figures based on 2024–2025 trends and will be updated after official allotment.
Direct Link to INI SS 2026 Official Portal (Active during counselling)aiimsexams.ac.in

INI SS 2026 PGIMER Chandigarh Seat Allotment Overview

The INI SS counselling for the July 2026 session is conducted by AIIMS New Delhi on behalf of all Institutes of National Importance. Seat allotment at PGIMER Chandigarh is done on the basis of INI SS merit rank, your branch preference, and category (general or sponsored). PGIMER offers seats in three broad super-specialty streams: DM (Doctor of Medicine — medical super-specialties), MCh (Magister Chirurgiae — surgical super-specialties) and MD Hospital Administration.

Parameter Details
Conducting body AIIMS New Delhi (on behalf of all INIs)
Official portal aiimsexams.ac.in
PGIMER total seats (approx.) 134
INI SS Stage 1 marks 80 (80 MCQs)
INI SS Stage 2 marks 20 (clinical/VC-based)
Total marks 100
Seat allotment rounds Multiple rounds (typically 3)
Expected allotment date (2026) On or around June 29, 2026

Closing rank at PGIMER is published after each round of seat allotment. The final closing rank — issued after the last round — is the rank of the last student allotted a seat in that branch and category. Sponsored category seats have separate closing ranks and are typically filled at higher (less competitive) ranks than general seats.


PGIMER Chandigarh DM Closing Rank Trends

DM seats at PGIMER Chandigarh are among the most competitive under INI SS. DM Cardiology recorded a closing rank of 66 in 2024 across all categories, making it one of the harder-to-secure branches. Branches with only one general seat (such as DM Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology) tend to close at very low ranks in the single-digit to low-teen range for general seats. The table below shows the expected 2026 closing rank range based on 2024–2025 trends.

DM Specialty Approx. Total Seats (Jan 2025) Expected Closing Rank 2026 (All Categories)
Cardiology 5 (2 General + 3 Sponsored) 60–80 (based on 2024 trend: rank 66)
Gastroenterology 7 (3 General + 4 Sponsored) 70–100
Nephrology 4 (2 General + 2 Sponsored) 50–75
Neurology 2 (0 General + 2 Sponsored) 80–120 (sponsored only)
Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia and Intensive Care 7 (3 General + 4 Sponsored) 90–130
Endocrinology 3 (2 General + 1 Sponsored) 80–110
Medical Oncology 4 (2 General + 2 Sponsored) 80–120
Hepatology 3 (1 General + 2 Sponsored) 70–100
Clinical Haematology 3 (0 General + 3 Sponsored) 100–150 (sponsored only)
Pediatric Cardiology 2 (1 General + 1 Sponsored) 80–120
Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology 1 (1 General) 30–60
Clinical Pharmacology 4 (2 General + 2 Sponsored) 120–180
Haemato-Pathology 4 (1 General + 3 Sponsored) 100–150
Histopathology 2 (0 General + 2 Sponsored) 120–170 (sponsored only)
Medical Genetics 1 (0 General + 1 Sponsored) 150–200 (sponsored only)

All figures above are expected estimates based on 2024–2025 INI SS counselling data. Actual 2026 closing ranks will be published on aiimsexams.ac.in after each allotment round. Branches with zero general seats (Neurology, Clinical Haematology, Histopathology, Medical Genetics) allocate only to sponsored-category students, so their closing ranks reflect that narrower pool.


PGIMER Chandigarh MCh Closing Rank Trends

PGIMER Chandigarh offers MCh seats in surgical super-specialties. MCh Urology had 10 total seats in 2024 and is among the most subscribed surgical branches. MCh Neurosurgery is traditionally the most competitive MCh branch across all INIs. Expected closing ranks below are based on available 2024 seat data and general INI SS demand patterns.

MCh Specialty Approx. Total Seats Expected Closing Rank 2026 (All Categories)
Neurosurgery 3–5 20–50
Urology 10 50–90
Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery 3–5 40–80
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 2–4 60–100
Orthopedic Surgery 2–4 70–120
Pediatric Surgery 2–3 60–100

All MCh closing ranks listed here are expected figures based on 2024 INI SS trends. MCh Neurosurgery typically attracts the strongest competition and closes earliest in the rank list. Students with a rank under 50 have a good chance of securing an MCh seat at PGIMER Chandigarh in most surgical branches.


MD Hospital Administration Closing Rank at PGIMER Chandigarh

MD Hospital Administration is a non-clinical super-specialty programme available at select INIs. For the INI SS January 2025 session, 34 MD Hospital Administration seats were available across all participating INIs. PGIMER Chandigarh participates in this allocation pool. Because this programme draws a smaller and different applicant base compared to clinical DM and MCh branches, closing ranks tend to be significantly higher (less competitive) than those for Cardiology or Neurosurgery.

Parameter Details
Programme MD Hospital Administration
Total seats across all INIs (2025) 34
Expected closing rank at PGIMER 2026 150–300 (based on 2024–2025 trends)
Candidate profile MBBS graduates or postgraduate doctors seeking healthcare management careers

Students targeting MD Hospital Administration at PGIMER Chandigarh should note that seat availability at a specific institute depends on the allotment round. If PGIMER does not have a designated seat in a given session, the seat may be allotted at another INI. Always check the official seat matrix published on aiimsexams.ac.in before filling your choices.


Factors Affecting PGIMER Chandigarh INI SS Closing Rank

Understanding why closing ranks shift year to year helps you set realistic expectations for INI SS 2026 counselling.

  • Number of seats: Branches with more total seats (general + sponsored) close at higher ranks. MCh Urology with 10 seats is less competitive per-rank than DM Cardiology with 5 seats.
  • General vs sponsored split: Branches where all seats are sponsored (Neurology, Clinical Haematology) have no general-category closing rank. Only sponsored doctors compete for these seats, which changes the rank dynamics entirely.
  • Total applicants and exam difficulty: A harder Stage 1 paper compresses score distributions, which can shift closing ranks up or down by 10–20 positions compared to an easier year.
  • Preference patterns: If a large number of high-rankers opt for AIIMS Delhi over PGIMER, the PGIMER closing rank for popular branches like Cardiology can loosen slightly.
  • Number of counselling rounds: Closing ranks after Round 3 (the final round) are always higher than after Round 1, as vacant seats get filled by lower-ranked students who upgrade or enter the wait-list.
  • Session (January vs July): INI SS runs two sessions annually. July-session seats and applicant counts differ from January, so closing ranks across sessions are not directly comparable.

INI SS PGIMER Chandigarh Closing Rank FAQs

Ques. What was the DM Cardiology closing rank at PGIMER Chandigarh in 2024?

Ans. The DM Cardiology closing rank at PGIMER Chandigarh in the INI SS 2024 session was 66 across all categories combined. This figure includes both general and sponsored-category seat allotments.

Ques. Does PGIMER Chandigarh have the most INI SS seats after AIIMS Delhi?

Ans. Yes. PGIMER Chandigarh offers approximately 134 total INI SS seats, which is the second-highest seat count among all Institutes of National Importance, after AIIMS New Delhi.

Ques. Are 2026 closing ranks for PGIMER Chandigarh officially published yet?

Ans. No. The INI SS 2026 seat allotment for the July session is expected around June 29, 2026. All closing ranks shared here are expected estimates based on 2024–2025 trends. Official 2026 closing ranks will be published on aiimsexams.ac.in after each allotment round.

Ques. Which DM branch at PGIMER Chandigarh is the most competitive?

Ans. Based on previous year trends, DM Cardiology and DM Nephrology are among the most competitive DM branches at PGIMER Chandigarh. DM Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, which has only one general seat, also closes at a very low rank for the general category.

Ques. What is a safe rank for MD Hospital Administration at PGIMER Chandigarh?

Ans. Based on 2024–2025 trends, a rank within the top 200–300 is generally considered safe for MD Hospital Administration at PGIMER Chandigarh. Actual cutoffs depend on seat availability for that specific session, so check the official seat matrix before finalising your choice.

Ques. How do sponsored category seats affect the closing rank at PGIMER?

Ans. Sponsored-category seats are reserved for doctors sponsored by state governments or central institutions. These seats have separate closing ranks and are typically filled at higher (less competitive) rank numbers than general seats. Some DM branches at PGIMER — such as Neurology and Clinical Haematology — have only sponsored seats, meaning general-category students cannot apply for those specific branches.