AIIMS NORCET Nursing Officer Syllabus 2026: Prelims & Mains Exam Pattern, Clinical Topics & Official PDF

Q: What is the new two-stage examination pattern for AIIMS NORCET?

AIIMS NORCET is conducted in two separate computer-based stages: NORCET Preliminary (Stage-I) consisting of 100 MCQs (80 Nursing + 20 General Aptitude) for 90 minutes to shortlist candidates, and NORCET Main (Stage-II) consisting of 100 clinical scenario-based MCQs for 90 minutes which determines the final all-India merit and institute allocation.

Q: What is the negative marking penalty in AIIMS NORCET Prelims and Mains?

Both Stage-I (Prelims) and Stage-II (Mains) enforce a strict negative marking penalty of 1/3rd (0.33) marks for every incorrect answer. Unanswered questions carry zero penalty.

Q: What are the minimum qualifying cut-off percentiles for AIIMS NORCET?

The minimum qualifying percentile in Stage-I Prelims is 50th percentile for UR/EWS candidates, 45th percentile for OBC candidates, and 40th percentile for SC/ST candidates. PwBD candidates receive an additional 5 percentile relaxation in their respective categories.

Q: Does marks scored in NORCET Preliminary count towards the final merit ranking?

No. NORCET Preliminary (Stage-I) marks are used purely for shortlisting candidates for NORCET Main (Stage-II) at a ratio of 5 times the number of category-wise advertised vacancies. The final merit rank and seat allocation are formulated strictly on NORCET Main (Stage-II) marks.

Q: What type of questions are asked in NORCET Stage-2 Mains?

NORCET Stage-2 Mains consists entirely of clinical case scenarios, patient management dilemmas, image-based surgical instruments and ECG strip interpretations, nursing priorities, emergency protocol questions, and skill-based practical evaluations.

1. Executive Overview, Official Authorities & Source Proofs

The Nursing Officer Recruitment Common Eligibility Test (NORCET 2026) is conducted nationwide by the Examination Section, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS New Delhi) under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India. It serves as the centralized recruitment mechanism for Group 'B' Nursing Officer posts (Pay Level-7: ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400) across all AIIMS institutions (AIIMS New Delhi, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Jodhpur, Patna, Raipur, Rishikesh, Bathinda, Deoghar, Gorakhpur, Kalyani, Mangalagiri, Nagpur, Raebareli, Rajkot, Bibinagar, Guwahati, Vijaypur) as well as premier Central Government Hospitals in Delhi (Dr. RML Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital, LHMC, KSCH, and NITRD).

Official Source Citations & Verification Proofs:
• Conducting Portal: AIIMS Exams Official Portal (aiimsexams.ac.in).
• Statutory Regulatory Framework: Indian Nursing Council (INC) Revised Regulations and Syllabus for B.Sc. (Nursing) Programme.
• Gazette Notification Authority: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (Hospital Division) Directives for Central Autonomous Medical Institutes.

Under the revised NORCET examination format, the recruitment process operates strictly on a Two-Tier Computer Based Test (CBT) model:

Stage-I: NORCET Preliminary Examination: A 90-minute screening test consisting of 100 MCQs (80 Nursing Course topics + 20 General Aptitude). Scores determine qualifying percentiles to shortlist candidates for Stage-II. Prelims marks do not count towards final ranking.
Stage-II: NORCET Main Examination: A 90-minute advanced clinical evaluation consisting of 100 MCQs focused entirely on clinical scenarios, critical care decision-making, patient safety, and practical skill competencies. All-India ranks and hospital allocations are decided 100% on Stage-II performance.

2. Stage-I: NORCET Preliminary Examination Scheme & Pattern

NORCET Preliminary is a qualifying examination designed to shortlist meritorious candidates for the Mains stage. The examination is conducted as an online Computer Based Test (CBT).

Section / Domain	No. of Questions	Maximum Marks	Duration & Negative Marking
General Aptitude & Awareness General Knowledge, Reasoning, Elementary Mathematics, Current Health Policies	20 MCQs	20 Marks	90 Minutes (1 Hour 30 Mins) Negative Marking: 1/3rd (0.33) marks deducted per incorrect answer. Nature: Qualifying Screening Test (5x Candidates Shortlisted for Stage-II).
Nursing Subject Curriculum Core subjects as per Indian Nursing Council (INC) B.Sc. Nursing / GNM curriculum	80 MCQs	80 Marks
Total Combined Prelims	100 Questions	100 Marks	Screening Cutoff Filter

Stage-I Qualifying Percentile Standards:

Candidate Category	Minimum Qualifying Percentile	Shortlisting Formula for Stage-II
Unreserved (UR) / EWS	50th Percentile	Candidates meeting the qualifying percentile are shortlisted for Stage-II up to 5 times (5x) the total number of category-wise advertised vacancies.
Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL)	45th Percentile
SC / ST	40th Percentile
PwBD Candidates	Additional 5 percentile relaxation in respective category (UR: 45th, OBC: 40th, SC/ST: 35th).	Subject to verification of physical disability benchmarking.

3. Stage-II: NORCET Main Examination (Clinical Case Scenarios & Merit Base)

NORCET Stage-II is the decisive rank-formulating examination. Unlike generic factual tests, the Mains examination tests clinical judgment, immediate nursing interventions, emergency protocols, and patient safety precautions.

Feature / Parameter	Examination Specification
Total Questions	100 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Total Marks	100 Marks (1 Mark per Question)
Examination Duration	90 Minutes (Divided into 5 timed sections of 18 mins each with 20 Qs)
Subject Focus	100% Clinical Nursing & Practical Competencies (No General Aptitude in Stage-II).
Negative Marking	1/3rd (0.33) Marks for each incorrect response.
Question Architecture	• Scenario-based case vignettes (e.g., patient vital deterioration, priority nursing actions). • Image-based questions (surgical instruments, tracheostomy sets, ventilator loops, ECG rhythms, radiological findings). • Video/GIF clips demonstrating nursing procedures (CPR hand placement, suctioning technique). • Drug infusion calculations (drops per minute, microgram/kg/min infusions).
Final Merit & Institute Allocation	Formulated strictly on Normalized Score in NORCET Stage-II Mains.

Timed Section Locking Feature: In NORCET Stage-II, AIIMS implements sectional auto-locking. The test consists of 5 subsections containing 20 questions each, with exactly 18 minutes allocated per subsection. Once the 18-minute timer expires, that subsection automatically submits and locks, and candidates cannot return to previous subsections.

4. Comprehensive Nursing Micro-Topic Syllabus (As per INC Regulations)

The nursing syllabus is aligned with the Indian Nursing Council (INC) prescribed syllabus for B.Sc. Nursing / GNM courses, emphasizing adult healthcare, maternal-infant care, pharmacology, and critical care.

A. Medical-Surgical Nursing (Adult Health Nursing & Critical Care) High Yield: 28-32% Questions

Cardiovascular Disorders: Myocardial Infarction (ECG changes: ST-elevation, T-wave inversion; Troponin-I and CPK-MB biomarkers; MONA regimen), Heart Failure, Infective Endocarditis, Rheumatic Heart Disease, Hypertensive emergencies, ECG rhythm analysis (Ventricular Fibrillation, Ventricular Tachycardia, Asystole, Atrial Fibrillation, Heart Blocks), Defibrillation vs Cardioversion energy levels.
Respiratory Disorders: COPD (Chronic Bronchitis vs Emphysema, target SpO2 88-92%), Bronchial Asthma, Pneumonia, Pulmonary Embolism, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), Endotracheal intubation care, Tracheostomy care and suctioning protocols (suction pressure 80-120 mmHg, duration <10-15 seconds), Chest tube drainage management (underwater seal oscillation, bubbling interpretation).
Gastrointestinal & Hepato-Biliary: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Peptic Ulcer Disease (H. pylori, dumping syndrome management), Appendicitis, Intestinal Obstruction, Cirrhosis of Liver (portal hypertension, esophageal varices, Sengstaken-Blakemore tube, hepatic encephalopathy, lactulose therapy), Acute Pancreatitis (Cullen's sign, Grey Turner's sign, serum amylase/lipase).
Neurological Disorders: Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS scoring 3-15: Eye 4, Verbal 5, Motor 6), Increased Intracranial Pressure (Cushing's Triad: bradycardia, widened pulse pressure, irregular respirations; Mannitol administration), Cerebrovascular Accident (Ischemic vs Hemorrhagic Stroke, tPA administration criteria within 4.5 hours), Meningitis (Brudzinski's and Kernig's signs, CSF findings), Spinal Cord Injury (Autonomic Dysreflexia, Neurogenic Shock), Epilepsy and status epilepticus nursing management.
Renal & Urinary Systems: Acute Kidney Injury (Prerenal, Intrarenal, Postrenal), Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD staging, hyperkalemia management with Calcium Gluconate, Dextrose with Regular Insulin), Hemodialysis (AV fistula care, thrill and bruit assessment) and Peritoneal Dialysis (peritonitis signs), Glomerulonephritis, Nephrotic Syndrome.
Endocrine System: Diabetes Mellitus (Type 1 vs Type 2, Diabetic Ketoacidosis - DKA management with NS, regular insulin, potassium replacement; HHS; Hypoglycemia rule of 15), Thyroid disorders (Hyperthyroidism - Thyroid storm; Hypothyroidism - Myxedema coma), Cushing's Syndrome vs Addison's Disease (Addisonian crisis).
Oncology & Hematology: Chemotherapy extravasation management, radiation implant safety (distance, shielding, time principles), Leukemia, Anemia classifications, Thrombocytopenia (bleeding precautions).
Burns & Fluid Resuscitation: Wallace Rule of Nines calculation, Parkland Formula ($4\text{ mL} \times \text{kg} \times \%\text{TBSA}$, half in first 8 hours, half in next 16 hours), fluid of choice (Ringer's Lactate).

B. Obstetrical & Gynecological Nursing (Midwifery) High Yield: 18-22% Questions

Antenatal Assessment: Diagnosis of pregnancy (Presumptive, Probable, Positive signs), calculation of Expected Date of Delivery (Naegele's rule: LMP + 9 months + 7 days), fundal height landmarks (12 wks symphysis pubis, 20-22 wks umbilicus, 36 wks xiphoid process), routine antenatal tests, fetal heart sound auscultation.
Labor & Delivery: Stages of labor (First, Second, Third, Fourth stage), mechanism of normal labor (Descent, Flexion, Internal rotation, Extension, Restitution, External rotation), Partograph plotting and WHO alert/action lines, non-stress test (NST) and contraction stress test (CST).
Obstetrical Complications & Emergencies:
- Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: Gestational hypertension, Pre-eclampsia, Eclampsia; Magnesium Sulfate ($MgSO_4$) Pritchard regimen (loading and maintenance dose, toxicity signs: loss of patellar reflex, respiratory depression <12/min, urine output <30 mL/hr; Antidote: Calcium Gluconate 10%).
- Antepartum Hemorrhage: Placenta Previa (painless, bright red vaginal bleeding) vs Abruptio Placentae (painful, dark venous bleeding, board-like abdomen).
- Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH): Primary vs Secondary PPH, 4 Ts of PPH (Tone, Trauma, Tissue, Thrombin), Active Management of Third Stage of Labor (AMTSL: Oxytocin 10 IU IM within 1 min, controlled cord traction, uterine massage).
Newborn & Neonatal Care: APGAR score calculation at 1 and 5 minutes (Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration), neonatal resuscitation algorithm, care of preterm infant, physiological vs pathological jaundice (phototherapy precautions: eye patches, genital cover, hydration).

C. Child Health Nursing (Pediatrics) Weightage: 10-14% Questions

Growth & Development: Weight doubling by 5-6 months, tripling by 1 year; fontanelle closure (posterior: 6-8 weeks; anterior: 12-18 months); developmental motor milestones (head control 3 mos, sitting with support 6 mos, standing 9-10 mos, walking 12-15 mos).
National Immunization Schedule (NIS): Birth vaccines (BCG 0.05 mL ID, Hep B 0.5 mL IM, OPV zero dose), 6, 10, 14 weeks (Pentavalent, Rotavirus, fIPV, PCV), 9 months (MR 1st dose, JE, Vitamin A 1 Lakh IU), cold chain maintenance (ILR temperature 2°C to 8°C).
Pediatric Diseases: Congenital heart defects (Acyanotic: VSD, ASD, PDA; Cyanotic: Tetralogy of Fallot - tet spells management: knee-chest position), Hirschsprung's disease (ribbon-like stool), Intussusception (currant jelly stools), Dehydration assessment (WHO Plan A, B, C; ORS formula: 245 mOsm/L).

D. Nursing Foundations & Clinical Skills Weightage: 14-16% Questions

Vital Signs & Physical Assessment: Normal ranges across age groups, pulse sites, pulse deficit calculation, blood pressure measurement errors (cuff too wide vs too narrow), Korotkoff sounds.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (AHA BLS & ACLS Guidelines): Compression-to-ventilation ratio (30:2 for single/dual rescuers in adults; 15:2 for 2-rescuer pediatric CPR), compression depth (at least 2 inches / 5 cm in adults), rate (100-120 per minute), AED pad placement (anterolateral).
Invasive Procedures & Care: Nasogastric tube insertion (measurement: nose to earlobe to xiphoid process; confirmation methods: gastric pH, X-ray gold standard), urinary catheterization (foley catheter French sizes, balloon inflation with sterile water only), intravenous cannulation (gauge color codes: 14G Orange, 16G Grey, 18G Green, 20G Pink, 22G Blue, 24G Yellow).
Positioning of Patients: Fowler's / High-Fowler's (respiratory distress), Trendelenburg vs Reverse Trendelenburg, Sim's position (enema administration), Lithotomy position, Prone position (ARDS oxygenation).

E. Pharmacology & Emergency Drug Calculations Weightage: 8-10% Questions

Essential Clinical Drug Calculations:
- IV Drip Rate Formula: $\text{Flow Rate (drops/min)} = \frac{\text{Total Volume (mL)} \times \text{Drop Factor (gtt/mL)}}{\text{Time in Minutes}}$ (Macro drip: 15-20 gtt/mL, Micro drip: 60 gtt/mL).
- Emergency Infusions: Dopamine, Noradrenaline, Dobutamine calculations in $\text{mcg/kg/min}$.

High-Alert Emergency Drugs & Specific Antidotes:

Drug / Poisoning Agent	Specific Reversal Antidote	Clinical Monitoring Parameter
Heparin	Protamine Sulfate	aPTT (Target: 1.5 - 2.5 times baseline)
Warfarin (Coumadin)	Vitamin K (Phytonadione) / FFP	PT / INR (Target: 2.0 - 3.0)
Opioids (Morphine, Fentanyl)	Naloxone (Narcan)	Respiratory rate (<10-12 bpm) & pupil size
Benzodiazepines (Midazolam)	Flumazenil	Sedation score & seizure risk
Paracetamol (Acetaminophen)	N-Acetylcysteine (NAC)	Serum transaminases (AST/ALT)
Organophosphate Poisoning	Atropine Sulfate + Pralidoxime (PAM)	Secretions & heart rate monitoring
Magnesium Sulfate ($MgSO_4$)	Calcium Gluconate 10%	Deep tendon reflexes, respirations & urine output

F. Bio-Medical Waste Management (BMW Rules 2016 Guidelines) Guaranteed 2-4 Questions

Color Code	Type of Waste Items Segregated	Treatment & Disposal Method
Yellow Bag / Bin	Human anatomical waste, animal waste, soiled items (cotton, gauze, bandages with blood/fluids), expired medications, cytotoxic drugs, chemical liquid waste.	Incineration / Plasma pyrolysis / Deep burial.
Red Bag / Bin	Contaminated recyclable plastics: IV tubes, IV bottles, catheters, urine bags, disposable gloves, syringes without needles.	Autoclaving / Microwaving followed by shredding.
Blue Cardboard Box / Bin	Glassware, broken or intact medicine vials, ampoules, metallic orthopedic implants.	Disinfection (Sodium hypochlorite) / Autoclaving & recycling.
White Translucent Container (Puncture Proof)	Sharps: Needles, scalpels, blades, fixed needle syringes, contaminated metal points.	Autoclaving / Dry heat sterilization followed by encapsulation in concrete pit.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) — AIIMS NORCET 2026

Q1. What is the new two-stage examination pattern for AIIMS NORCET?

Ans. AIIMS NORCET is conducted in two separate computer-based stages: NORCET Preliminary (Stage-I) consisting of 100 MCQs (80 Nursing + 20 General Aptitude) for 90 minutes to shortlist candidates, and NORCET Main (Stage-II) consisting of 100 clinical scenario-based MCQs for 90 minutes which determines the final all-India merit and institute allocation.

Q2. What is the negative marking penalty in AIIMS NORCET Prelims and Mains?

Ans. Both Stage-I (Prelims) and Stage-II (Mains) enforce a strict negative marking penalty of 1/3rd (0.33) marks for every incorrect answer. Unanswered questions carry zero penalty.

Q3. What are the minimum qualifying cut-off percentiles for AIIMS NORCET?

Ans. The minimum qualifying percentile in Stage-I Prelims is 50th percentile for UR/EWS candidates, 45th percentile for OBC candidates, and 40th percentile for SC/ST candidates. PwBD candidates receive an additional 5 percentile relaxation in their respective categories.

Q4. Does marks scored in NORCET Preliminary count towards the final merit ranking?

Ans. No. NORCET Preliminary (Stage-I) marks are used purely for shortlisting candidates for NORCET Main (Stage-II) at a ratio of 5 times the number of category-wise advertised vacancies. The final merit rank and seat allocation are formulated strictly on NORCET Main (Stage-II) marks.

Q5. What type of questions are asked in NORCET Stage-2 Mains?

Ans. NORCET Stage-2 Mains consists entirely of clinical case scenarios, patient management dilemmas, image-based surgical instruments and ECG strip interpretations, nursing priorities, emergency protocol questions, and skill-based practical evaluations.

Official Links & Verified Health Resources

Official Medical Body / Portal	Direct Portal Action
AIIMS Exams Official Portal	aiimsexams.ac.in (Official Portal)
Indian Nursing Council (INC Official)	indiannursingcouncil.org
KGMU & SGPGIMS Nursing Officer Syllabus	View KGMU / SGPGIMS CRT Syllabus
Browse All Government Exam Syllabi	All Syllabi Hub

Editorial Integrity & Verification Notice: This syllabus guide has been compiled and cross-verified against official notifications issued by the Examination Section, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS New Delhi) and the Indian Nursing Council (INC). SarakariHub.com is an independent educational portal and is not affiliated with AIIMS New Delhi or the Ministry of Health. Candidates must verify official dates and notices on aiimsexams.ac.in.

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Stage-I Qualifying Percentile Standards: