Indian Nursing Council : Check All States GNM/ ANM, Nursing Admission Procedure

The Indian Nursing Council is an autonomous body that regulates nursing education in India. The Council controls the policies and conduct of various nursing courses in India. The main objective of the Nursing Council of India is to ensure uniformity in Nursing Education in India. The council has undergone several amendments since its formation. Some of these amendments have been a subject of much criticism. Indian Nursing Council believes in the concept of health as laid down by the world health organization (WHO) i.e., “Health is the state of complete physical mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. But, overall, the council regulates the smooth functioning of nursing education and nursing practices in India.

Updates:

• AIPMST Online Registration has started for the 2025 session. AIPMST is a medical scholarship for the aspirants of B.Pharma, Paramedical, BPT, Bio-tech, BSc Nursing, BSc Agriculture, and B.M.L.T Courses. The last date for registration has been extended till 12th May 2025.
• Indian Army Nursing 2025 Application Form has been released in online mode. In addition, the form must be submitted on or before 10th March 2025.

How do the Indian Nursing Council Functions?

The Indian Nursing Council comes under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. However, the INC functions as an autonomous body, governing all the nursing courses and nursing training institutes in India. The head of the INC iS the President who has the powers of the Head of the Department. Secretary INC is the Head of the Office. Also, there is a Secretary of INC, who handles all the works of the department. In addition, there are various committees like the Executive Committee, Nursing Education Committee, Finance Committee, etc, which assist in the overall smooth functioning of the council.

Similarly, the INC functions to hold power over various state nursing councils, which are registered under Indian Nursing Council. INC is a body consisting of members who are Professionals in the Nursing Field, elected from State Councils, nominated by the Government including Members of Parliament. They represent the public in relation to the formulation of policy and implementation.

List of Few Important Functions of the INC

• To prescribe minimum standards of Nursing Education and Training in various Nursing Programmes and to prescribe the syllabus
• Also, to recognize Nursing Qualification under INC Act and to withdraw recognition of qualification under the INC Act when an institution fails to maintain Standards prescribed by the Council
• The INC also Enlists the minimum requirements for the establishment of various Nursing Programmes
• Granting Suitability to various nursing Institutions in India, through accepting the online application forms
• Also, the INC is responsible for redressing the grievances of various nursing institutions in India
• Power to require information as to courses of study and training and examinations
• Similarly, INC has the power to withdraw the recognition from any nursing institute
• INC also holds power for prescribing the tenure of office and the powers and duties of the Secretary and other officers and servants of the Council
• Likewise, the INC is responsible for prescribing the standard curricula for the training of nurses, midwives, and health visitors, for training courses for teachers of nurses, midwives, and health visitors, and for training in nursing administration
• Prescribing the conditions for admission to courses of training as aforesaid
• Prescribing the standards of examination and other requirements to be satisfied to secure qualifications recognition under this Act

List of State Level Nursing Councils

The Indian Nursing Council withholds power over various state-level nursing councils in India. These state nursing councils are responsible for conducting various nursing courses and nursing training programs in their respective states. The state-level nursing councils are registered and function under the regulation of INC. Therefore, we have a list of various state-level nursing councils:

Indian Nursing Council

List of Indian Council of Nurses (INC) Recognized Nursing Qualifications

There are many courses under the nursing program in India. Therefore, the INC recognizes a few of the nursing courses and it enlists these courses in the prospectus. Any candidate who wishes to pursue their career in General Nursing can check the list of these recognized courses. Some of these are Diploma-level which can be pursued after passing class 12th from any recognized university. However, few courses are Graduation-level which offers a graduate degree after its completion. Therefore, it is important for the applicants to know about the eligibility of any nursing course which they are going to pursue. So, here is the tabular form of the list of recognized nursing programs by INC and the list of colleges offering that program with their official website link.

General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM)

The Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery program aims to prepare nurses with a sound educational program in nursing to enable them to function as efficient members of the health team, beginning with the competencies for first-level positions in all kinds of health care settings. In addition, it helps nurses develop an ability to co-operate and co-ordinate with members of the health team in the prevention of disease, promotion of health, and rehabilitation of the sick. Moreover, it helps nurses in their personal and professional development, so that they are able to make the maximum contribution to society as useful and productive individuals, citizens as well as efficient nurses. It also serves as a base for further professional education and specialization in nursing. Consequently, it prepares nurses to keep pace with the latest professional and technological developments and use these for providing nursing care services.

Eligibility Criteria

The Indian Nursing Council suggests the Minimum education eligibility criteria for admission to GNM

• 10+2 with English and must have obtained a minimum of 40% at the qualifying examination and English individually for any recognized board. Candidates are also eligible from State Open School recognized. Also, the candidates from State Open School recognized by the State Government and National Institute of Open School (NIOS) recognized by Central Government. However, Science is preferable.
• 10+2 with English having 40% of marks in vocational ANM course from the school recognized by the Indian Nursing council.
• 10+2 with English having 40% of marks in Vocational Stream-Health care Science from a recognized CBSE board/ Centre.
• Registered ANM with a pass mark.

For Foreign Nationals

• The entry qualification equivalency i.e., 12th standard will be obtained by the Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi. The institution, State Nursing Council is responsible to ensure that the qualification and eligibility are equivalent to what has been prescribed as above.

• The minimum & Maximum age for admission will be 17 and 35 years respectively.
• Minimum education: 10, +2 class passed or its equivalent.
• Any group aggregate of 40% marks.
• Further 5% relaxation is permitted to SC/ ST students for GNM Programme.

Duration of the Course

• The Diploma course in General Nursing and Midwifery shall be of three years and six months duration.
• There should be a preliminary period of 12 weeks. During this time the student attend the wards for observation and supervised practice not exceeding 16 hours per Exemption for ANMs/ LHVs/ Female Health Workers
• Six months exemption in training shall be given during the third year (in midwifery) to those:

•  Who have undergone ANM training of 18 months or 2 years recognized by INC.
• LHV’s with 2½ years of training recognized by INC

Therefore, the duration of training shall be of 3 years.

Reservation

• For disabled candidates: 3% Disability reservation to be considered with a disability of locomotor to the tune of 40% to 50% of the lower extremity and other eligibility criteria with regard to age and qualification will be the same as prescribed for each nursing program.
  Note: A committee to be formed consisting of a medical officer authorized by the medical board of state government and a nursing expert in the panel which may decide whether the candidates have the disability of locomotor of 40% to 50%.
• 5% is relaxed for SC/ ST candidates.
• Any other quotas as per the State Govt. under the reservation policy
  Note: Quotas shall be included in the seats sanctioned and not above it.

For more details about the GNM course, please check the PDF

GNM Course Details PDF

Auxiliary Nursing and Midwifery (ANM)

Indian Nursing Council (INC) believes that ANM/ FHW plays a vital role in the rural health care delivery system. The main objective is to create nurses who should be sensitive and accountable to meet the health needs of the community. Also, she should be able to provide accessible, equitable, affordable, and quality health care. Therefore, the ANM/ FHW can act as a catalyst for promoting inter-sectoral convergence in promotive and preventive health care.

Above all, the ANM curriculum intends to prepare skilled and effective female health workers to achieve the goals of the National Rural Health Mission. The NRHM aims at bringing about dramatic improvement in the health system and the health status of the country. Also, the ANM/ FHW gets training in community health skills to practice basic health care at a defined level of proficiency in accordance with local conditions and to meet local needs. In addition, the program fits into the general educational pattern as well as the nursing education system.

Eligibility Criteria

• The minimum age for admission shall be 17 years on or before 31st December of the year in which admission is sought.
• The maximum age for admission shall be 35 years.
• The minimum educational requirements shall be 10 + 2 in Arts (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Economics, Political Science, History, Geography, Business Studies, Accountancy, Home Science, Sociology, Psychology, and Philosophy) and English Core/ English Elective or Science or Health care Science – Vocational stream ONLY passing out from recognized Board.
• However, the Medical Fitness of students is compulsory.
• Students qualified in 10+2 Arts or Science examinations conducted by the National Institute of Open School.
• Also, Students shall be admitted once a year.

• The minimum age for admission shall be 17 years on or before 31st December of the year in which admission is sought.
• The maximum age for admission shall be 30 years.
• The minimum educational requirements shall be the passing of 12 years of schooling (10+2 year course) recognized by CBSE/ ICSE/ SSSCE/ HSCE or a recognized equivalent examination.
• Medical Fitness Admission is subject to a satisfactory medical examination report.

Duration of the Course

• The total duration of the course is 2 years (18 months + 6 months internship)
• First Year: Total weeks – 52 weeks
• Vacation – 4 weeks, Gazetted holidays – 2 weeks, Preparatory holidays and examination -3 weeks, Teaching hours in weeks – 43 weeks, Teaching hours per week – 43 weeks x 40 hours/ weeks=1720 hrs
• Second Year (including internship) Total weeks – 52 weeks
• Vacation – 4 weeks, Gazetted holidays – 2 weeks, Preparatory holidays and examination – 2 weeks, Teaching hours in weeks – 44 weeks, Teaching hours per week – 44 weeks x 40 hours/ weeks = 1760 hrs

Therefore, the total duration shall be 2 years.

However for more details about the ANM course, please check the PDF

ANM Course Details PDF

B.Sc (Hons) Nursing

B.Sc in Nursing is a higher qualification in the study of Nursing. Indian Nursing Council recognizes this Bachelor’s in Nursing course and offers a proper curriculum for the course. The objective of the course is to provide knowledge of how to describe the structure and function of the human body so as to permit her to appreciate aberrations from normal and their consequences. Also, she should be able to observe and record the vital functions of the body while nursing the sick and report the effects of therapeutic measures instituted. Moreover, she should also be able to assist in common investigative procedures and recognize the deviations in the results from normal. Consequently, the course aims to administer comprehensive as well as specialized nursing care to the sick in the hospital or home environments.

Also, she should be able to provide first aid to the injured or the sick in an emergency independently in the absence of a doctor. She should be able to demonstrate skills in cardiopulmonary resuscitations in the hospital or home environment. In addition, she should explain the local patterns of diseases in the country and common diseases in the country. Also, she should be able to administer special nursing care required for the management of these diseases. Similarly, she should be able to recognize the symptoms of common diseases and suggest suitable therapeutic measures for diseases like malaria, cholera, gastroenteritis, etc. in the absence of the availability of a doctor. Above all, she should at the same time be able to recognize her limitations and be able to decide the situations where the patient must consult a doctor.

Eligibility Criteria

• The minimum age for admission is 17 years on 31st December of the admission year.
• Minimum education:
  • 10+2 class passed with Science (PCB) & English Core/ English Elective with aggregate of 45% marks from recognized board under AISSCE/ CBSE/ ICSE/ SSCE/ HSCE or other equivalent Board.
• However, the Medical Fitness of students is compulsory.
• Students appearing in 10+2 examination in Science conducted by National Institute of Open School with 45% marks.
• Moreover, the Admission takes place only once a year.

Duration of the Course

• BSc. Nursing is a 4-year course in Nursing. The mode is the semester system. Therefore, there are a total of 8 semesters in the entire curriculum.
• However, for more details about the ANM course, please check the PDF

BSc. Nursing Course PDF

Post-Basic B. Sc. (N)

Post Basic B.Sc. degree in Nursing is a broad-based education aimed to build upon the skills and competencies acquired at the diploma in nursing level. It is specifically directed to the upgrading of critical thinking skills, competencies, and standards required for the practice of professional nursing and midwifery as envisaged in National Health Policy. The course is intended to enable the graduates: ” Assume responsibilities as professional, competent nurses and midwives at a basic level in providing promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative services.

Make independent decisions in nursing situations, protect the rights of and facilitate individuals and groups in pursuit of health, function in the hospital, community nursing services, and conduct research studies in the areas of nursing practice. In addition, The trained nurses also take the role of teacher, supervisor, and manager in clinical/ public health settings. Also, the course prepares graduates to assume responsibilities as competent nurses and midwives in providing promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative services who can make independent decisions in nursing situations and conduct research studies, in the areas of nursing practice and assume the role of teacher, supervisor, and manager in a clinical/ community health setting/ institutions of nursing education.

Eligibility Criteria

The Indian Nursing Council lays a few eligibility conditions for admission in this course. A few of them are as follows:

• The applicant must have the Higher Secondary or Senior Secondary or Intermediate or 10+2 or an equivalent examination recognized by the university for this purpose. Those who have done 10+1 in or before 1986, are eligible for admission.
• Obtained a certificate in General Nursing and Midwifery and registered as R.N.R.M. with the State Nurses Registration Council. A male nurse, trained before the implementation of the new integrated course besides being registered as a nurse with the State Nurses Registration Council, shall produce evidence of training approved by the Indian Nursing Council for a similar duration in lieu of midwifery in any one of the following areas:
  • O.T. Techniques
  • Ophthalmic Nursing
  • Leprosy Nursing
  • TB Nursing
  • Psychiatric Nursing
  • Neurological and Neurosurgical Nursing
  • Community Health Nursing
  • Cancer Nursing
  • Orthopedic Nursing
• However, the Medical Fitness of students is compulsory.
• Moreover, Admission takes place only once a year.

Duration of the Course

• The maximum period to complete the course successfully shall not exceed 4 years (double the duration of the course).
• However, for more details about the ANM course, please check the PDF

Post Basic Nursing Course Details PDF

M. Sc. (N)

The Indian Nursing Council believes that the Post Graduate program is essential to prepare nurses to improve the quality of nursing education and practice in India. A postgraduate program in nursing builds upon and extends competence acquired at the graduate levels, emphasizes the application of relevant theories into nursing practice, education, administration, and development of research skills. The program prepares nurses for leadership positions in nursing and health fields who can function as nurse specialists, consultants, educators, administrators, and researchers in a wide variety of professional settings in meeting the National priorities and the changing needs of society.

Consequently, this program provides the basis for the postgraduate program in nursing. Further, the program encourages accountability and commitment to lifelong learning which fosters improvement of quality care. Also, the aim of the postgraduate program in nursing is to prepare graduates to assume responsibilities as nurse specialists, consultants, educators, administrators in a wide variety of professional settings.

Eligibility Criteria

• The candidate should be a Registered Nurse and Registered midwife or equivalent with any State Nursing Registration Council.
• In addition, the minimum education requirements shall be the passing of B.Sc. Nursing/ B.Sc. Hons. Nursing/ Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks.
• However, the candidate should have undergone in B.Sc. Nursing / B.Sc. Hons. Nursing / Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing.
• Also, a minimum of one year of work experience after Basic B.Sc. Nursing.
• Minimum one year of work experience prior to or after Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing.
• Medical Fitness Admission is subject to a satisfactory medical examination report.
• And, the admission takes place only once a year.

Duration of the Course

The MSc. in Nursing is a 2-year course duration.

• Available- 52 weeks
• Vacation- 4 weeks
• Examination-2 weeks
• Gazetted holidays- 3 weeks
• Total weeks available- 43 weeks
• 40 hours per week- 1720 hours
• Total hours for 2 years-3440 hours

However, for more details about the ANM course, please check the PDF

MSc. Nursing Course Details PDF