Students aiming for AYUSH PG (MD/MS) admission in 2026 must choose between AIAPGET 2026 and their state AYUSH PG entrance exam — or appear in both. Understanding the differences in seat coverage, competition, and counselling is essential before deciding where to focus.
AIAPGET 2026 is the national-level AYUSH PG entrance test conducted by NTA on behalf of the Ministry of AYUSH. It grants access to All India Quota (AIQ) seats across government AYUSH colleges in Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Yoga and Naturopathy streams. State AYUSH PG entrance exams, conducted by individual state governments, cover state quota seats in government colleges and seats in private AYUSH colleges within the state. Students can appear in both without any conflict — and in most cases, appearing in both maximises admission chances.
- AIAPGET 2026 is conducted by NTA in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode for 100 marks with no negative marking.
- State exams cover state quota seats in government colleges and seats in private AYUSH colleges within the state.
- Both exams follow a similar syllabus; some states include state-specific topics.
- Appearing in both exams is allowed and strongly recommended for broader seat access.
| Direct Link: AIAPGET 2026 Official Website — nta.ac.in |
AIAPGET 2026 Overview
AIAPGET (All India AYUSH Post Graduate Entrance Test) is the national gateway for All India Quota AYUSH PG MD and MS seats. NTA conducts it on behalf of the Ministry of AYUSH. The exam is held in CBT mode and tests students across all five AYUSH streams through 100 MCQs. There is no negative marking, which makes attempting all questions a sound strategy.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | All India AYUSH Post Graduate Entrance Test |
| Conducting Body | NTA on behalf of Ministry of AYUSH |
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 2 hours |
| Total Questions | 100 MCQs |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Negative Marking | None |
| Streams Covered | Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Unani, Siddha, Yoga and Naturopathy |
| Seats Covered | All India Quota (AIQ) seats in government AYUSH PG colleges |
| Official Website | nta.ac.in |
State AYUSH PG Entrance Exams Overview
Each state with AYUSH PG colleges runs its own entrance exam or merit-based selection process. These exams cover state quota seats in government AYUSH PG colleges and seats in private AYUSH colleges within the state. Most states require students to hold a valid state domicile certificate to be eligible. Dates, application processes, and counselling schedules vary by state.
| State Exam | Streams Covered | Domicile Required | Seats Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maharashtra AYUSH PG CET | Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Unani | Yes | State quota + private colleges |
| Karnataka AYUSH PG Entrance | Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Unani, Naturopathy | Yes | State quota + private colleges |
| Rajasthan AYUSH PG Entrance | Ayurveda, Unani | Yes | State quota seats |
| UP AYUSH PG Entrance | Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Unani | Yes | State quota + private colleges |
| Tamil Nadu AYUSH PG | Siddha, Ayurveda, Homoeopathy | Yes | State quota seats |
| Kerala CEE AYUSH PG | Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Siddha | Yes | State quota + private colleges |
Exam schedules and seat availability for 2026 are expected to be announced by respective state authorities. Check official state notification portals for confirmed dates.
AIAPGET vs State AYUSH PG Exams: Key Differences
The table below compares AIAPGET 2026 and state AYUSH PG exams across all major parameters to help you plan your strategy.
| Parameter | AIAPGET 2026 | State AYUSH PG Exams |
|---|---|---|
| Conducting Body | NTA on behalf of Ministry of AYUSH | Individual state governments or state AYUSH boards |
| Level | National | State |
| Seats Covered | All India Quota (AIQ) seats in government AYUSH PG colleges nationwide | State quota seats in government colleges and private AYUSH PG college seats within the state |
| College Reach | Government AYUSH colleges across all states | Government and private AYUSH colleges within that state only |
| Competition Level | High — national pool from all states | Moderate — limited to domicile-eligible students of that state |
| Exam Mode | CBT (Computer Based Test) | CBT or pen-and-paper; varies by state |
| Syllabus | Standard national AYUSH PG syllabus across all five streams | Similar to AIAPGET; some states include state-specific topics |
| Counselling | Centralised counselling by Ministry of AYUSH | State-level counselling by respective state authority |
| Domicile Requirement | None — open to all Indian students | Domicile of that state usually required for state quota seats |
| Frequency | Once per year (based on previous year trends) | Once per year; timing varies by state |
Which Exam Should You Prioritise?
The right answer depends on your home state, target stream, and target colleges. Below is scenario-based guidance to help you decide.
- Prioritise AIAPGET if you want a seat in any government AYUSH PG college across India: AIQ seats are available in top central and state government colleges. A good AIAPGET rank opens options no state exam can provide.
- Prioritise your state exam if most of your target colleges are private or within your state: State quota covers government seats plus all private AYUSH college seats. Students targeting private colleges in Maharashtra, Karnataka, or Kerala must clear the respective state exam.
- Prioritise AIAPGET if you are open to relocating: Students willing to join colleges outside their home state benefit more from AIAPGET, which covers colleges nationally.
- Prioritise your state exam if you need domicile-reserved seats: Reserved category seats under state quota go only to domicile holders — these are separate from AIQ reserved seats filled through AIAPGET.
- Prepare for AIAPGET first if you can focus on only one: AIAPGET preparation covers around 85–90% of most state exam syllabi (based on previous year trends). Students can add state-specific topics in the final preparation weeks.
Can You Appear in Both AIAPGET and State Exams?
Yes. There is no restriction on appearing in AIAPGET 2026 and one or more state AYUSH PG exams in the same cycle. Appearing in both is the recommended strategy for most students as it maximises the total number of seats available.
- No conflict in eligibility: AIAPGET and state AYUSH PG exams have independent eligibility and application processes. Appearing in one does not affect eligibility for the other.
- Shared syllabus base: The core syllabus for both exams overlaps significantly. A single preparation cycle with focused additions for state-specific topics covers both exams effectively.
- Parallel counselling timelines: AIAPGET counselling and state counselling run on separate schedules. Students who receive allotments in both can choose the better seat — but must follow each authority’s withdrawal deadlines carefully to avoid forfeiting the preferred seat.
- Track state application dates separately: State exam application windows vary. Monitor state AYUSH authority portals alongside the NTA AIAPGET notification at nta.ac.in to avoid missing deadlines.
- Stream alignment tip: Students in Siddha should confirm which states run Siddha-specific PG exams (Tamil Nadu, Kerala) as not all state exams cover every AYUSH stream.
AIAPGET 2026 vs State AYUSH PG Exams FAQs
Ques. What is the difference between AIAPGET and state AYUSH PG exams in terms of seats?
Ans. AIAPGET 2026 covers All India Quota (AIQ) seats in government AYUSH PG colleges across India. State AYUSH PG exams cover state quota seats in government colleges and seats in private AYUSH colleges within the state. The combined pool across both routes is larger than either alone, which is why appearing in both is recommended.
Ques. Is it compulsory to appear in AIAPGET 2026 to get admission to a state AYUSH PG college?
Ans. No. Students seeking admission under state quota seats in state government colleges or in private AYUSH PG colleges only need to qualify the respective state AYUSH PG entrance exam. AIAPGET is required only for AIQ seats. Appearing in AIAPGET is recommended, however, as it opens additional seat options at no academic cost.
Ques. Does AIAPGET 2026 have negative marking?
Ans. No. AIAPGET 2026 has no negative marking. The exam consists of 100 MCQs for 100 marks. Attempting all questions is a sound strategy as there is no penalty for wrong answers.
Ques. Which exam is more competitive — AIAPGET or state AYUSH PG exams?
Ans. AIAPGET is generally more competitive because students from all states compete for AIQ seats. State AYUSH PG exams have a smaller pool of eligible students limited to domicile holders, making competition moderate in most states. However, states with large AYUSH PG aspirant bases such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Kerala can have significant competition in their state exams as well.
Ques. Can a student from one state appear in another state’s AYUSH PG exam?
Ans. Most state AYUSH PG exams require a valid domicile certificate of that state for state quota seat eligibility. Students without the required domicile are generally not eligible for state quota or private college seats filled through that state’s exam. Always check the individual state notification for domicile requirements before applying to a state exam outside your home state.
Ques. Is the syllabus for AIAPGET 2026 and state AYUSH PG exams the same?
Ans. The core syllabus is very similar for both — covering standard PG-level topics in Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Yoga and Naturopathy. Some states include additional state-specific topics or place higher weightage on particular stream subjects. Students preparing for AIAPGET should review their target state’s official syllabus notification to identify any additions specific to that state exam.
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