AIIMS NORCET 10 Syllabus 2026: Prelims vs Mains Topic-Wise List (PDF)
- Jan 7
- 3 min read
1. Introduction: The "2-Stage" Trap
If you think you can crack AIIMS NORCET 10 by just memorizing "Target High" or "PR Yadav" MCQs, you are in trouble.
Since last year, AIIMS has split the exam into two dangerous stages: Prelims and Mains.
Prelims (April 11): It filters out the crowd. It includes GK & Aptitude.
Mains (April 30): It decides your Rank. It is pure Clinical Nursing.
The gap between them is only 19 Days. You cannot start studying for Mains after the Prelims result. You need a combined strategy.
In this blog, we decode the AIIMS NORCET 10 Syllabus 2026 topic-wise so you know exactly what to study for which stage.
2. Exam Pattern 2026: Prelims vs. Mains
Understanding the difference is the first step.
Feature | Stage 1: Prelims (Qualifying) | Stage 2: Mains (Ranking) |
Date | April 11, 2026 | April 30, 2026 |
Questions | 100 MCQs | 160 MCQs |
Syllabus Split | 80 Nursing + 20 Non-Nursing | 100% Nursing |
Nature | One-Liners / Fact-Based | Case Scenarios / Clinical |
Marks Count? | NO (Just pass 50th %ile) | YES (Decides AIIMS Seat) |
Negative Marking | 1/3rd | 1/3rd |
3. Stage 1: Prelims Syllabus (The Filter)
Your goal here is Survival, not Topping. You just need to qualify.
Part A: Non-Nursing (20 Marks) - Do NOT Ignore This!
Many students fail Prelims because they get 0 in this section.
Aptitude: Blood Relations, Time & Work, Coding-Decoding, Direction Sense.
GK/Current Affairs: Recent Govt Schemes (Ayushman Bharat), Who's Who (Ministers), Basic Science.
Part B: Nursing (80 Marks) - Basic Theory
Focus on "What" and "When".
Anatomy & Physiology: Bones, Joints, Heart Chambers, Cranial Nerves.
Fundamentals: Vital Signs values, Ryles Tube sizes, Cannula colors.
CHN: Immunization Schedule, Waste Management colors.
4. Stage 2: Mains Syllabus (The Rank Decider)
This is where the real game is. The questions will be "Scenario-Based" (e.g., "A patient with CHF shows X symptom, what is your PRIORITY action?").
High-Weightage Clinical Topics:
Medical-Surgical Nursing (MSN):
Cardio: ECG Interpretation (MI vs Angina), CPR Guidelines (AHA 2025).
Neuro: GCS Scale, ICP Monitoring, Stroke positioning.
Renal: Dialysis care, Electrolyte imbalances (Potassium is King).
Obstetrics & Gynaecology (OBG):
Partograph, Labor Stages, PPH Management, Drug calculations (Oxytocin/MgSo4).
Pediatrics:
Congenital anomalies, APGAR Score, Developmental Milestones.
Procedures (Image-Based):
Identify Instruments (Retractors, Forceps), X-Rays, Ventilator Modes.
5. Topic-Wise "Must Read" List
If you have less time, cover these Golden Topics from the AIIMS NORCET 10 Syllabus 2026:
Drug Calculations: Drop factor, pediatric dosage.
Acid-Base Balance: ABG Analysis (Respiratory vs Metabolic).
Emergency: Triage protocols (Red/Yellow/Green tags).
Psychiatry: Defense Mechanisms, Lithium toxicity levels.
Legal/Ethics: Informed Consent, Negligence vs Malpractice.
6. Conclusion: The 19-Day Strategy
Until April 11: Focus on One-Liners + Aptitude. Clear the Prelims.
April 12 - April 30: Switch to NCLEX-style questions (Saunders/Mosby). Solve 200 clinical scenarios daily.
Action: Don't wait for the Prelims result to start Mains prep.
✅ FAQ Schema
1. Is the syllabus different for NORCET Prelims and Mains?
Technically, the subjects are the same, but the type of questions differs. Prelims asks fact-based theory and includes Non-Nursing subjects (GK/Maths). Mains asks
practical, case-based clinical questions and has NO Non-Nursing section.
2. How many questions are there in NORCET 10 Mains?
The NORCET Mains pattern has been updated to 160 MCQs (Nursing only) to be solved in 180 minutes. The Prelims remains 100 MCQs (90 minutes).
3. Which books are best for NORCET Mains Syllabus?
For Mains (Clinical/Scenario questions), books like Saunders NCLEX RN (9th Edition) and Mosby are essential. For Prelims (Theory), Target High or PR Yadav is sufficient.
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