AIPMT (All India Pre Medical/ Pre Dental Entrance Test) is a national level entrance test for the admission to MBBS and BDS courses conducted by Central Board of Secondary education (CBSE). The primary aim of this test, which is standardized all over India, is to make medical education available on an equitable basis to all regions of the nation and to foster inter-regional exchange. Until 2006, the AIPMT was unusual as it was one of the few all-India competitive examinations (along with the examinations for the defense services) based completely on merit and without any reservations.
In 2010, the pattern of AIPMT was changed. The examination was replaced by a two tier or Two stage test – The AIPMT Prelims and the AIPMT Mains. The candidates who could qualify the AIPMT Prelims were eligible to give the AIPMT Mains test. Finally, those who scored well in the AIPMT Mains were selected for admission based purely on the merit of the candidate in the AIPMT Mains. Admission was done rank-wise. In 2013, the pattern changed again - The Two tier examination was replaced by the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG). It was a nationwide test through which admissions were to be done for all seats of MBBS and BDS in all the colleges which were covered by previous exam. From 2014 onwards, the Exam was named as AIPMT again, and is done for 15% seats only, as was done earlier to National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG).
In 2016, 8 states are participating in AIPMT:
- Haryana
- Himachal Pradesh
- Madhya Pradesh
- Manipur
- Meghalaya (subject to confirmation)
- Odisha
- Rajasthan
- Chandigarh (UT)
AIPMT Participating Institutes are:
- Armed Force Medical Services (Armed Forces Medical College (India))
Banaras Hindu University
Jamia Hamdard University
University of Delhi