AIIMS NORCET 9 Prelims Question Paper Leaked?

The AIIMS NORCET 9 Prelims Exam 2025, conducted on 14 September, has landed in controversy following widespread claims of a possible question paper leak. Within hours of the test, screenshots and messages started circulating on social media platforms, with many aspirants alleging that the exam content had been accessed before the scheduled time. Some candidates even claimed that nearly 60% of the questions were “identical” or strikingly similar to those that had already been shared online. This has left aspirants disappointed, arguing that an exam of such national importance, conducted by a premier institute like AIIMS, should not be shadowed by malpractice allegations.

What has amplified suspicion further is the time mismatch across centres. While the exam reportedly began on schedule in Delhi, Chandigarh, and several other cities, candidates at select centres – particularly near Jammu, claim their paper started nearly two hours late. Aspirants argue that such irregularities compromise the fairness of a competitive exam where every single mark decides a candidate’s future. Some are even questioning if the delay was linked to additional scrutiny of paper handling or a lapse in coordination.

Adding to the controversy, multiple candidates reported technical glitches with exam systems. Faulty biometric devices and unstable computers allegedly led to lost time, leaving students unable to attempt solvable questions despite being fully prepared. “We pay Rs. 3,000 for the application fee, and this is the infrastructure we get? Do we need to waste another 6 months on this mismanagement?” wrote one aspirant in frustration. For many, missing questions due to equipment failure feels like an unfair penalty, especially when the next NORCET cycle is half a year away.

In response to the growing outcry, a Committee of nursing aspirants has taken up the matter formally. The committee has reportedly written to AIIMS authorities, urging them to investigate both the alleged leak and the widespread technical lapses. Their demand is clear: ensure transparency in recruitment, uphold the credibility of NORCET, and safeguard the trust of thousands of nurses who rely on this exam as their career gateway.

Despite the uproar, AIIMS went ahead and declared the NORCET 9 Prelims Results on 18 September 2025, just four days after the exam. While some candidates welcomed the timely release, others questioned whether the evaluation could truly be fair given the ongoing controversy. On social media, aspirants voiced concerns that the institution appeared to be “rushing past” the controversy rather than addressing it.

The demands from students and aspirant groups are now becoming louder and more unified. Many are calling for:

So far, AIIMS has not issued an official statement addressing the allegations. With NORCET being a high-stakes exam that opens doors to 3,500 nursing officer vacancies, the credibility of the process is under the scanner. For now, the nursing community awaits clarity from AIIMS, but the controversy has already cast a shadow over one of the country’s most sought-after nursing recruitments.