Nursing is one of the most respected and in-demand professions in the healthcare sector. With the rise of hospitals, advanced healthcare centers, and global demand, nursing graduates play a critical role in patient care, medical assistance, and healthcare management.
India offers a wide range of nursing programs like ANM, GNM, B.Sc Nursing, Post-Basic B.Sc Nursing, and M.Sc Nursing, regulated by the Indian Nursing Council (INC) and respective State Nursing Councils.
Admissions are based on national/state entrance exams, university-level tests, and merit-based selection, depending on the program and institution.
| Type of Institute | No. of Colleges | Seats (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Government Nursing Colleges | 400+ | 35,000+ |
| Private Nursing Colleges/Universities | 1,800+ | 1,00,000+ |
| Deemed/Autonomous Institutions | 50+ | 8,000+ |
| Total | ~2,250+ | ~1,43,000+ |
Pursuing a Nursing degree in India is a great choice for students who want to enter the healthcare field with strong global opportunities.
Top nursing institutes in India include:
Nursing graduates not only get excellent placements in India but are also highly in demand in countries like the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, UAE, and Germany.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the Course | Nursing (ANM, GNM, B.Sc Nursing, M.Sc Nursing) |
| Popularly Known as | B.Sc Nursing / GNM / ANM |
| Level of Course | Diploma, Undergraduate, Postgraduate |
| Duration | ANM: 2 years, GNM: 3 years, B.Sc Nursing: 4 years, Post-Basic B.Sc: 2 years, M.Sc Nursing: 2 years |
| Internship | Mandatory clinical internship/hospital postings |
| Eligibility | Class 12 with PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) & English, minimum 45–50% |
| Minimum Age | 17 years (No maximum age limit as per INC guidelines) |
| Regulating Body | Indian Nursing Council (INC), State Nursing Councils |
| Number of Colleges | 2,250+ |
| Number of Seats | ~1,43,000 annually |
Admissions for B.Sc Nursing & M.Sc Nursing are conducted via:
National-Level Exams:
State-Level Exams:
University-Level Exams:
Direct Admissions (Private Colleges):
Cutoffs depend on college reputation, entrance exam difficulty, and seats available:
General category cutoff rank up to 200–300 (very competitive).
Typically admits students with ranks around 1,000–1,200.
Require 60–70%+ in Class 12 with high entrance exam scores.
Moderate cutoffs, often 45–50% PCB marks in 12th.
Pursuing Nursing in India ensures a stable, respected, and globally employable career path in healthcare. With government recognition, excellent scope abroad, and quality education, nursing graduates can work in:
AIIMS, Apollo, Fortis, Max Healthcare, Manipal, Medanta, Narayana Health, Indian Armed Forces, WHO, UN health organizations, and leading global hospitals.
