AIIMS CRE Syllabus 2026: CBT Exam Pattern, Post-wise Paper Breakdown and Preparation Strategy
AIIMS CRE-5 has 1,484 posts — and the exam structure is not the same for all of them. A Pharmacist and a JAA sit for completely different papers. The technical posts (Pharmacist, JMLT, Radiographer, OT Technician) have 80 questions from their professional subjects. The clerical posts (JAA, Store Keeper Clerk) have 50 questions each from three separate sections. If you're preparing without knowing which category your post falls into, you're wasting study time. This article maps the exam structure precisely for each major post group.
👉 AIIMS CRE Salary 2026 — post-wise pay levels, in-hand breakdown, CGHS benefit explained
Exam Overview: What All Posts Share
The AIIMS CRE-5 exam is a Computer Based Test (CBT) — multiple choice questions, conducted by AIIMS through aiimsexams.ac.in. Here are the elements common across all post categories: [Source: testbook.com; adda247.com; askfilo.com; toppersexam.com — official notification on aiimsexams.ac.in is the primary authority]
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | CBT — Computer Based Test (online) |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) |
| Application Deadline | July 3, 2026 |
| Official Website | aiimsexams.ac.in |
| Total Vacancies | 1,484 (Group B + Group C) |
| Negative Marking | Subject to notification — verify in official paper-specific instructions [INFERRED — check aiimsexams.ac.in for confirmation] |
Post-Category Wise Exam Structure
The critical difference is here. Read your post category carefully before building a study plan: [Source: testbook.com; adda247.com; toppersexam.com]
| Post / Category | Section | Questions | Total Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist / JMLT / Radiographer / OT Technician / Medical Record Technician (Technical posts — Level 5) | General Section (GA, Reasoning, Aptitude, Computer) | 20 | 100 |
| Professional/Technical Subject Paper | 80 | ||
| JAA / Store Keeper Clerk / Junior Hindi Translator (Clerical posts — Level 2–4) | General Section (GA, Reasoning, Aptitude, Computer) | 50 | 150 |
| Computer Proficiency | 50 | ||
| Relevant Subject / Clerical aptitude | 50 | ||
| Dietitian / Office Superintendent (Group B posts — Level 6–7) | General Section | 20 | 100 |
| Professional Subject Paper | 80 |
Source: testbook.com, adda247.com, toppersexam.com. Always cross-verify section-wise breakdowns against the official notification at aiimsexams.ac.in before the exam.
Common General Section Topics (All Posts — 20Q or 50Q)
Every post in AIIMS CRE-5 has a General Section. For technical posts (Pharmacist, JMLT, etc.) it is 20 questions. For clerical posts (JAA, Store Keeper) it is 50 questions. These topics apply to all: [Source: adda247.com; testbook.com; askfilo.com]
General Awareness
- Current affairs — national and international (last 6–12 months)
- Health ministry schemes — Ayushman Bharat, PM Jan Arogya Yojana, National Health Mission
- Static GK — Indian history (freedom movement), Indian polity basics, geography
- Science and technology — recent developments in medical research, space, IT
- Government flagship schemes — PM Awas, Swachh Bharat, Digital India, Poshan Abhiyan
- Important days and events related to health (World Health Day, WHO observances)
Reasoning Ability
- Series — Number, Letter, and Alphanumeric
- Analogy — Semantic and Figurative
- Blood Relations
- Seating Arrangement — Linear and Circular
- Coding-Decoding
- Direction Sense
- Syllogisms and Statement-Conclusion
- Odd one out (word/number/figure)
Numerical Aptitude
- Number Systems — HCF, LCM, simplification
- Percentage and Ratio
- Average, Age-related problems
- Profit and Loss
- Time and Work, Time and Distance
- Simple and Compound Interest
- Basic Data Interpretation (bar chart, table reading)
Basic Computer Knowledge
- Computer fundamentals — input/output devices, hardware, software
- Operating systems — Windows basics
- MS Office — Word, Excel, PowerPoint basic functions
- Internet — browser, email, URL, HTTP, search engines
- Keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+Z, Ctrl+F, Ctrl+P, etc.)
- Computer security basics — virus, antivirus, firewall
👉 AIIMS CRE Eligibility 2026 — age limits, educational qualifications post-wise, domicile
Post-Specific Technical Paper Breakdown
Pharmacist — 80 Technical Questions
The Pharmacist technical paper tests pharmaceutical science knowledge at the Diploma/B.Pharm level. Key subject areas: [Source: testbook.com; adda247.com]
| Subject Area | Key Topics |
|---|---|
| Pharmacology | Drug classification, mechanism of action, side effects — antibiotics, analgesics, antihypertensives, antidiabetics, CNS drugs |
| Pharmaceutics | Dosage forms (tablets, capsules, injections, suspensions, ointments), storage conditions, expiry, stability |
| Pharmaceutical Chemistry | Drug structure-activity relationships, chemical properties, incompatibilities, basic organic chemistry of drugs |
| Biochemistry | Metabolic pathways, enzymes, blood biochemistry, drug metabolism (first pass effect, hepatic clearance) |
| Hospital Pharmacy Practice | Drug dispensing procedures, prescription reading, OPD/IPD pharmacy operations, inventory management, Schedule H/H1/X drugs |
| Pharmacognosy | Herbal drugs, alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, crude drugs and their sources |
| Anatomy and Physiology basics | Major organ systems and their relation to drug action |
JMLT (Junior Medical Lab Technologist) — 80 Technical Questions
JMLT technical paper covers laboratory medicine and pathology at the DMLT/BMLT level: [Source: testbook.com; toppersexam.com]
| Subject Area | Key Topics |
|---|---|
| Haematology | CBC interpretation, WBC differential count, anaemia types, coagulation tests (PT, APTT), blood grouping and cross-matching |
| Clinical Biochemistry | Liver function tests (LFT), kidney function tests (KFT), blood glucose, lipid profile, electrolytes, enzyme assays (ALT, AST, ALP) |
| Microbiology | Gram staining, culture and sensitivity, identification of bacteria and fungi, antibiotic susceptibility testing, sterilisation methods |
| Histopathology and Cytology | Tissue processing, H&E staining, special stains, PAP smear interpretation basics |
| Immunology and Serology | Antigen-antibody reactions, ELISA, Widal test, VDRL, ANA, HIV serology |
| Lab Equipment and QC | Autoclave, centrifuge, spectrophotometer, microscope maintenance; quality control in labs; ISO 15189 basics; bio-safety levels |
| Urine Analysis | Physical, chemical, microscopic examination; urine dipstick interpretation |
Radiographer — 80 Technical Questions
Radiographer technical paper is based on radiography practice at DRIT/BRIT qualification level: [Source: adda247.com; testbook.com]
| Subject Area | Key Topics |
|---|---|
| X-Ray Physics and Equipment | X-ray tube construction, kVp/mAs, image quality parameters, film processing (digital and analog), CR/DR systems |
| Radiographic Positioning | Standard projections — chest PA/AP, extremities, skull, spine; patient positioning for each body part; technical factors selection |
| Radiation Protection | ALARA principle, radiation units (Gy, Sv, R), dose limits for workers and public, lead apron use, distance/time/shielding |
| CT and MRI Basics | Principles of CT (Hounsfield units, window level/width), MRI safety (magnetic zones, contraindications — pacemakers, metallic implants), sequences overview |
| Anatomy for Radiographers | Skeletal system, chest anatomy, abdominal anatomy as seen on imaging; identification of normal radiographic landmarks |
| Contrast Media and Interventional | Iodinated contrast agents, barium studies, contrast reactions and management; basic fluoroscopy |
JAA / Store Keeper Clerk — 150 Questions
JAA and clerical posts have the largest paper at 150 questions across three sections: [Source: adda247.com; testbook.com]
| Section | Questions | Topics |
|---|---|---|
| General Section | 50 | GA, Reasoning, Numerical Aptitude, Computer Basics — as detailed in the General Section above but at greater depth (50Q vs 20Q) |
| Computer Proficiency | 50 | MS Word (formatting, mail merge, styles), MS Excel (formulas — SUM, IF, VLOOKUP; charts; pivot table basics), MS PowerPoint (slide design, transitions), Email management, Internet search skills, File management, keyboard shortcut mastery |
| Relevant Subject / Clerical Aptitude | 50 | Office procedures, filing and record-keeping, noting and drafting basics, official correspondence formats, general office management |
OT Technician — 80 Technical Questions
OT Technician technical paper covers operating theatre procedures and anaesthesia support: [Source: toppersexam.com; adda247.com]
| Subject Area | Key Topics |
|---|---|
| OT Environment and Setup | Zones in OT (sterile, semi-sterile, non-sterile), scrubbing/gowning/gloving techniques, OT table positioning, instrument trolley setup |
| Sterilisation and Disinfection | Autoclave (steam sterilisation), ETO sterilisation, glutaraldehyde, instrument classification (critical, semi-critical, non-critical), spaulding classification |
| Anaesthesia Equipment | Anaesthesia machine components, checking procedures, breathing circuits, laryngoscope blades, endotracheal tubes, suction apparatus |
| Surgical Instruments | Classification of instruments (cutting, holding, clamping, retracting), instrument identification, counting protocols, care and maintenance |
| Anatomy basics for OT | Surgical anatomy of commonly operated areas — abdomen, chest, orthopaedic joints, head and neck |
| Patient Safety in OT | WHO surgical safety checklist, positioning injuries, diathermy safety, fire safety in OT |
Preparation Strategy: Time Split Between General and Technical Sections
How you split your study time should reflect the mark weights — not equal time on everything.
For Technical Posts (Pharmacist / JMLT / Radiographer / OT Technician)
Technical paper is 80% of the exam. If you've studied the subject formally (DMLT, B.Pharm, DRIT, D.OT), the technical section should feel familiar — your preparation here is recall, not learning from scratch. The challenge is converting your practical training into MCQ-ready knowledge.
| Section | Weightage | Recommended Study Time Split |
|---|---|---|
| General Section (GA + Reasoning + Aptitude + Computer) | 20% | 15–20% of total prep time |
| Technical/Professional Paper | 80% | 80–85% of total prep time |
Why not spend more time on General Section? The general section is 20 questions. Even if you score 18/20 vs 12/20, the difference is 6 marks. A 6-mark swing on the technical paper (say 62/80 vs 68/80) is far more common and has the same impact. Technical section preparation directly determines your merit rank. Don't let coaching content on GA overshadow the subject-specific work.
For JAA / Store Keeper (Clerical Posts)
The exam is 150 questions — General (50), Computer Proficiency (50), Relevant Subject (50). Computer Proficiency is the hidden differentiator here. Most candidates under-prepare it because it seems easy. In reality, Excel functions (VLOOKUP, IF, nested formulas) and Word formatting shortcuts trip candidates who only use computers casually.
| Section | Questions | Recommended Time Split |
|---|---|---|
| General Section | 50 | 30–35% of prep time — more depth needed vs technical post |
| Computer Proficiency | 50 | 35–40% — practice actual Excel/Word tasks, not just theory |
| Relevant Subject / Clerical | 50 | 25–30% — office procedures, correspondence formats |
Resources for Each Section
| Section | Recommended Resources |
|---|---|
| General Awareness | Monthly current affairs capsule (Adda247, Testbook PDF); Lucent's General Knowledge for static GK; newspaper headlines last 6 months |
| Reasoning | RS Aggarwal's Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning; Testbook reasoning module; previous AIIMS CRE papers where available |
| Numerical Aptitude | RS Aggarwal Quantitative Aptitude; SSC CGL Tier I level practice (similar difficulty) |
| Computer Proficiency (JAA) | Arihant Computer Fundamentals + MS Office guide; actual practice on Excel (create pivot tables, write formulas); CCC exam material |
| Pharmacy Technical | B.Pharm textbooks (Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology, Pharm Chemistry); GPAT/PHARMACIST exam question banks; RD Burman Pharmaceutics |
| JMLT Technical | DMLT standard textbooks — Clinical Pathology by MC Bhatt; Haematology by Dacie & Lewis (simplified version); lab manual from your institution |
| Radiographer Technical | Radiographic Positioning by Bontrager; Radiation Protection by Bushong; Fundamentals of Radiological Science by Ball & Moore |
| OT Technician Technical | Principles of OT Techniques by Berry; Anaesthesia Equipment by Dorsch; CSSD/Sterilisation manual from your hospital training |
Scoring Strategy: General Section as Guaranteed Marks
The General Section (20Q for technical posts, 50Q for clerical) is the most predictable part of the paper. Unlike your technical paper — where a question can be highly specific to a niche topic — the General Section follows a pattern used by most central government exams. Anyone who has prepared for SSC CGL Tier I or similar will find 70–80% of this section familiar.
Three actions that secure the General Section:
- Computer basics first — it's the fastest to memorise. 3–4 days on keyboard shortcuts, MS Office menus, internet terminology. These are fact-recall questions with no ambiguity. If you've been using a computer daily, a focused revision is enough.
- Current affairs for the past 6 months — not 12. AIIMS exams typically cover recent events. Focus on health ministry announcements, national health scheme updates, important appointments in the medical sector, and WHO/global health news. Build a monthly 2-page summary capsule.
- Reasoning — practise analogy and series only. For 20 general section questions, roughly 5–6 are reasoning. Analogy and series questions are the most common and most learnable. Don't spend time on complex arrangement or puzzles unless you're aiming for a clerical post (50Q general).
What No Other Prep Guide Will Tell You About This Exam
1. The technical paper is not uniform across AIIMS campuses. Different AIIMS institutions may conduct their own recruitment or use the central CRE paper with slight variation. When AIIMS Delhi and AIIMS Bhopal recruit under the same CRE, the paper is typically central. But topic weightage within the technical section can shift between notifications. Always check if previous year papers from the same notification number (CRE-5) are available — don't rely on CRE-2 or CRE-3 papers as if they're identical. [Source: candidate discussions on adda247 forums; verify at aiimsexams.ac.in]
2. Pharmacist is the most competitive post — technical paper depth matters. Because Pharmacist is a well-understood career path with diploma/B.Pharm graduates competing, the effective cutoff on the technical paper is high. Candidates who scored full marks on the general section but scored average (60/80) on technical have historically missed the cut when competing with B.Pharm graduates who scored 70+/80. The general section is not your rescue — the technical paper is your primary ranking factor.
3. JMLT candidates: biochemistry questions are more frequent than haematology. Based on pattern analysis from similar AIIMS recruitment papers (CRE-2, CRE-3), biochemistry (LFT, KFT, enzyme assays) and serology/immunology questions appear more than haematology. Candidates from DMLT backgrounds who focus only on haematology and microbiology may be underserved. Spend extra time on biochemistry test principles. [Source: candidate pattern reports on toppersexam.com — INFERRED; verify with official CRE-5 previous papers when available]
4. For JAA: your typing speed doesn't matter in the CBT stage. The CBT is multiple choice only — no typing test in the written stage. Typing tests (if any) come in later stages. Many candidates confuse this with SSC CHSL skill test format. You do not need to practice typing for the initial CBT. [INFERRED from AIIMS CRE selection structure; confirm in official notification for final stage details]
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the AIIMS CRE-5 exam online or offline?
The exam is CBT — Computer Based Test. It is conducted online at designated exam centres. You will be shown questions on a computer screen and select answers by clicking. There is no OMR sheet. [Source: aiimsexams.ac.in; testbook.com]
Q: How many questions are there for Pharmacist in AIIMS CRE?
Pharmacist has 100 questions total — 20 from the General Section (GA, Reasoning, Aptitude, Computer) and 80 from Pharmacy-specific subjects (Pharmacology, Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Hospital Pharmacy Practice, etc.). The 80 technical questions are the primary determinant of your rank. [Source: adda247.com; testbook.com]
Q: Is the syllabus different for JMLT and Pharmacist?
Yes — the General Section (20Q) is the same, but the 80-question technical paper is entirely different. JMLT covers Haematology, Clinical Biochemistry, Microbiology, Histopathology, and Lab Equipment. Pharmacist covers Pharmacology, Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, and Hospital Pharmacy. You cannot prepare both technical papers simultaneously — prepare only for the post you're applying for. [Source: testbook.com; toppersexam.com]
Q: How many questions does JAA have in AIIMS CRE-5?
JAA has 150 questions — 50 General Section, 50 Computer Proficiency, 50 Relevant Subject (Clerical Aptitude/Office Procedures). The paper is longer than technical posts (100Q) because the clerical tracks demand broader administrative skills. [Source: adda247.com]
Q: Is there negative marking in AIIMS CRE?
The negative marking structure should be confirmed in the official notification at aiimsexams.ac.in for CRE-5. Previous AIIMS CRE papers have had negative marking in some post categories and no negative marking in others. Always check the specific instructions in your admit card and official information brochure before the exam. [INFERRED — verify at aiimsexams.ac.in]
Q: What is the best book for AIIMS Pharmacist exam preparation?
There is no single "AIIMS Pharmacist" specific book. The best approach is to use your formal qualification textbooks (B.Pharm/D.Pharm syllabus texts) combined with a GPAT or PHARMACIST exam question bank for MCQ practice. For the General Section, RS Aggarwal (Reasoning + Quantitative) and a current affairs capsule are sufficient. Avoid coaching notes written for state pharmacy officer exams — the difficulty level differs.
Q: How much time does it take to prepare for AIIMS CRE technical posts?
If you have already completed your qualification (DMLT, B.Pharm, DRIT), the technical section is a recall exercise. A focused 8–10 week preparation covers both the technical paper (6–7 weeks) and general section (2–3 weeks) adequately. If you are revising your subject from scratch, allow 14–16 weeks. The general section alone should not take more than 3 weeks for any post — it is predictable and formula-driven. [INFERRED — based on standard competitive exam timelines]
