AIIMS CRE-5 Recruitment 2026

1. Important Dates & Action Timeline

Candidates must adhere strictly to the schedule laid down by the Examination Section of AIIMS. The online portal will automatically disable the registration link at the exact closing time.

Note: Admit cards will generally be issued 3 days before the date of examination. The examination city/state will be notified 7 days in advance.

2. List of Participating Institutes & Organizations

The CRE-5 framework incorporates recruitment for numerous premier health institutions across the country. Candidates allocated a seat through this exam will be appointed subject to the respective organization's independent verification and rules.

• Participating AIIMS: Awantipora, Bathinda, Bhopal, Bibinagar, Bilaspur, Deoghar, Gorakhpur, Guwahati, Kalyani, Mangalagiri, Madurai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Patna, Raebareli, Raipur, Rajkot, Rewari, Rishikesh, and Vijaypur.
• Other Central Government Bodies: AIIMS-Central Armed Police Forces Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS-CAPFIMS), Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences and Dr. RML Hospital, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute (CNCI), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC) & associated hospitals, Pasteur Institute of India, Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC) Najafgarh, and Regional Institute of Paramedical and Nursing Sciences (RIPANS).

3. Broad Post Groups & Vacancy Overviews

To simplify the process, AIIMS has systematically grouped similar posts into numerical categories. Below are examples of some of the most prominent groups and the general qualifications required. (For a granular list of all 1484 vacancies broken down by category, candidates must download the detailed Annexures of the PDF).

4. General Eligibility Criteria & Age Relaxation Rules

The crucial date for determining eligibility regarding age limit, educational qualification, and experience is the closing date of the online application: 30 June 2026. Candidates must possess the essential certificates valid as of this date.

Age Limit & Concessions

Age limits vary per post (e.g., 18-27 years, 21-30 years, up to 35 years). The upper age limit is generally relaxable under the Government of India norms for the following categories:

• SC / ST Candidates: 5 Years relaxation.
• OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) Candidates: 3 Years relaxation. (OBC Certificate must be valid for the financial year 2026-2027, issued on or after 01 April 2026).
• Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): 10 Years relaxation.
• Ex-Servicemen: Length of military service plus 3 years.
• Central Govt. Civilian Employees: Specific relaxations (up to 40 or 45 years depending on category) provided they have rendered not less than 3 years of continuous service.
• AIIMS Employees: Certain posts allow relaxation up to 40 years for internal staff depending on the recruitment rules of the specific AIIMS.

5. Application & Examination Fees

Candidates applying in more than one group have to apply separately for each group by paying the examination fee separately. The fee must be remitted via digital gateways (Debit Card/Credit Card/Netbanking).

Special Note: Application Fees of SC/ST candidates who appear in the Examination will be refunded back to their source (debited) account after the declaration of results in due course of time.

6. Selection Methodology: CBT & Skill Tests

The CRE-5 selection mechanism is highly structured, ensuring fair, transparent, and merit-based appointments.

• Phase I (Computer Based Test): All provisionally eligible applicants will undergo a CBT spanning multiple shifts and centers across major states in India.
• Phase II (Skill Test): Certain groups (like Stenographers, Data Entry Operators, Drivers, LDC/UDC) mandate a practical Skill Test or Typing Test. Candidates who qualify the CBT will be called for the Skill Test (primarily in Delhi/NCR). The Skill Test is generally qualifying in nature.
• Merit Generation: The Merit List of qualified candidates shall be prepared solely on the basis of their performance in the CBT. Where a Skill Test is prescribed, only candidates who pass the Skill Test will be eligible for merit ranking for those specific posts.
• Seat Allocation: Candidates who make the merit cutoff will be subsequently invited to exercise their choices and indicate their order of preference for the participating institutions. Final allocation is mapped against available vacancies, category reservations, and candidate preferences.

7. Scheme & Pattern of Examination

The CBT is designed to test both general aptitude and rigorous domain-specific professional knowledge.

Structure of the Computer Based Test (CBT)

• Duration: 90 Minutes.
• Questions & Marks: 100 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) accounting for a total of 400 marks. Each question carries 4 marks.
• Sectional Breakdown:
  • Part A: 20 MCQs related to General Knowledge & Aptitude, and Knowledge of Computers.
  • Part B: 80 MCQs highly specific to the domain of the respective post group (as aligned with the essential educational qualifications).
• Time Lock Formatting: The question paper is sequentially divided into 5 sections. Each section spans exactly 18 minutes containing 20 questions. Once a section's 18 minutes lapse, it will automatically lock, and the candidate will be pushed to the next section without the ability to return.
• Penalty System: Negative marking is severely enforced. 1/4th (one-fourth) of a mark will be deducted for every incorrect response.
• Qualifying Criteria: To pass the CBT, candidates must score a minimum of 40% (UR/EWS), 35% (OBC), and 30% (SC/ST/PwBD).

Tie-Breaking Protocol

If two or more candidates secure identical aggregate marks, the tie will be sequentially resolved as follows:

1. Higher marks obtained in the Domain Specific Part (the 80 MCQ section).
2. Fewer wrong answers/negative marks overall.
3. Date of Birth, with older candidates placed higher on the merit list.
4. Alphabetical order of the candidate's first name.

8. Step-by-Step Online Application Protocol

Submitting physical forms or offline documents is strictly prohibited. The entire registration lifecycle resides on the AIIMS Exams portal.

1. Preparation: Gather standard digital assets. Ensure your photograph, signature, and thumb impression strictly comply with the 'Upload Image Instructions' dimension and size guidelines. Obtain a valid "No Objection Certificate (NOC)" from your HoD or employer if you are currently working in a Govt/Semi-Govt or PSU sector.
2. Registration: Visit www.aiimsexams.ac.in. Create a candidate profile using your valid Email ID and Mobile Number. Duplicate registrations will be summarily rejected.
3. Filling Details: Log in using your generated credentials. Fill out the application form with exacting detail corresponding to your 10th and 12th certificates. Select the desired examination center state.
4. Apply for Multiple Groups: If you meet the eligibility criteria for multiple Post Groups, you must submit separate applications and pay independent fees for each.
5. Fee Payment: Pay the non-refundable examination fee via the integrated payment gateway. Retain the transaction ID.
6. Final Confirmation: Keep a securely saved printed copy of the final Registration Slip and payment proof. Do not mail these to the examination section.

9. Important Official Links

10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)