Updated on May 30, 2022 05:47 IST
Akansha Bisht

Akansha BishtSenior Executive

Nursing is one of the most sought after courses in Medical and allied sciences. Nursing courses offer students the skills and training to assist doctors and patients during various medical procedures. Nursing as a subject is offered across undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate levels. Apart from full-time degree courses in Nursing, Certificate and Diploma courses are also offered. The duration of the undergraduate courses ranges from three to four years, while that of the postgraduate courses is one to two years. Although the general notion is that Nursing courses are meant for female students, there are a few colleges which accept applications from male students as well. Know all about Nursing courses including eligibility criteria, duration, admission process and more here on this page.

Nursing Courses Offered at UG Level

The Nursing courses offered at undergraduate levels can be divided into degree, diploma and certificate courses. Let us take a look at the types of undergraduate Nursing courses along with the related information.

Nursing Degree Courses

The following table brings the list of Nursing courses offered at the degree level, along with their duration.

Course Name

Duration

BSc Nursing

4 Years

BSc (Hons.) Nursing

2 Years

Post Basic BSc Nursing

2 Years

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Nursing Diploma Courses

Take a look at the diploma courses in Nursing that are offered in India along with their duration.

Course Name

Duration

ANM

2 Years

GNM

3 years - 3.5 years

Advanced Diploma in Ophthalmic Care Management

2 Years

Diploma in Home Nursing

1 Year

Diploma in Emergency and Trauma Care Technician

2 Years

Diploma in Nursing Administration

3 Years

Diploma in Neuro Nursing

2 Years

Diploma in Health Assistant (DHA)

1 Year

Nursing Certificate Courses

The certificate courses in Nursing are generally conducted for six months to one year. The list of programmes is given in the table below.

Course Name

Duration

Certificate course in Ayurvedic Nursing

1 Year

Certificate in Home Nursing

1 Year

Certificate in Maternal and Child Health Care (CMCHC)

6 Months

Certificate in Care Waste Management (CHCWM)

6 Months

Certificate in Primary Nursing Management (CPNM)

1 Year

Nursing Courses Offered at PG Level

The Nursing postgraduate courses are offered at degree, diploma, MPhil and PhD levels. In the following sections, we bring the list of Nursing courses offered at the PG level.

Postgraduate Degree Courses in Nursing

The table below carries a list of PG degree courses in Nursing along with their duration

Course Name

Duration

MSc Nursing

2 Years

MSc in Child Health Nursing

2 Years

MSc in Community Health Nursing

2 Years

MSc in Medical-Surgical Nursing

2 Years

MSc in Maternity Nursing

2 Years

MSc in Paediatric Nursing

2 Years

MSc in Obstetrics and Gynecological Nursing

2 Years

MSc in Psychiatric Nursing

2 Years

MPhil

1 Year

PhD

3-5 Years

Postgraduate Diploma Courses in Nursing

The postgraduate diploma courses in Nursing along with their duration are listed in the below table.

Course Name

Duration

Post Basic Diploma in Critical Care Nursing

1 Year

Post Basic Diploma in Orthopedic & Rehabilitation Nursing

1 Year

Post Basic Diploma in Cardio-Thoraic Nursing

1 Year

Post Basic Diploma in Neurology Nursing

1 Year

Post Basic Diploma in Operation Room Nursing

1 Year

Post Basic Diploma in Paediatric Critical Care Nursing

1 Year

Post Basic Diploma in Midwifery Nursing

1 Year

Post Basic Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing

1 Year

Post Basic Diploma in Ontological Nursing and Rehabilitation Nursing

1 Year

Post Basic Diploma in Neo-Natal Nursing

1 Year

Post Basic Diploma in Emergency & Disaster Nursing

1 Year

Post Basic Diploma in Oncology Nursing

1 Year

Post Basic Diploma in Geriatric Nursing

1 Year

Post Basic Diploma in Forensic Nursing

1 Year

Post Basic Diploma in Haematology Nursing Residency Programme

1 Year

Post Basic Diploma in Burn & Reconstructive Surgery – Residency Programme

1 Year

Specialisations Offered in Nursing Courses

Specialisations are offered in the following subjects or areas in the Nursing courses:

Eligibility Criteria for Nursing Courses

The eligibility criteria for Nursing courses vary from programme to programme. The course-wise eligibility criteria stated by the Indian Nursing Council are presented below.

BSc Nursing Course Eligibility Criteria

  • Candidates should have passed or appeared for the Class 12 Board exam in Science stream (PCB) and English as a core/elective subject with minimum 45 per cent aggregate.

  • Candidates should be of minimum 17 years of age and maximum 35 years of age as on December 31 of the year of taking admission.

  • Students should be medically fit.

Post Basic Nursing Course Eligibility Criteria

  • Candidates should have passed the Class 12 Board exam.

  • They should have a certificate in General Nursing and Midwifery and be 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.

  • Applicants should be medically fit.

MSc Nursing Course Eligibility Criteria

  • The candidate should be a Registered Nurse and Registered midwife or equivalent with any State Nursing Registration Council. 

  • They should have completed BSc Nursing/BSc (H) Nursing/Post Basic BSc Nursing with a minimum 55 per cent aggregate.

  • They should have at least one year of work experience after BSc Nursing or prior or after Post Basic BSc Nursing.

ANM Nursing Course Eligibility Criteria

  • Candidates should pass Class 12 Board exam in Science/HealthCare Science/Arts with English as a compulsory subject.

  • The minimum and maximum age limit is 17 years and 35 years respectively as on December 31 of the year of admission.

  • They should be medically fit.

GNM Nursing Course Eligibility Criteria

  • Candidates should pass Class 12 Board exam in English in a minimum 40 per cent aggregate.

  • They should have a minimum 40 per cent aggregate in vocational ANM course from the school recognised by the Indian Nursing Council, or in Vocational Stream-Health care Science from a recognised CBSE board/Centre.

  • They should be registered ANM with a pass mark.

Nursing Courses Admission process

Admission to Nursing courses at top colleges take place through entrance exams. Since 2021, NEET UG scores are also accepted for Nursing admission. The qualifying candidates will have to participate in the counselling processes conducted by the centre or state admission authorities or by the institutes.

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FAQs Regarding Nursing Courses

Q: What is Nursing?

A: Nursing as a course refers to a medical programme which teaches students the basics of the medical profession and enables skills of a caregiver and assisting doctors. Nursing courses are offered across undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate levels and several specialisations are offered as well.  

Q: Is Nursing a medical course?

A: Yes, nursing is a medical course and an important part of the healthcare department, is also described as the backbone of medicine. These courses cover various medicine topics.
Source: External website and may vary.

Q: Are Nursing courses available at undergraduate level?

A: Yes, Nursing courses can be pursued at undergraduate level as a BSc Nursing or BSc Post Basic Nursing.

Q: What is the eligibility criteria for pursuing Nursing courses?

A: The eligibility criteria of Nursing courses vary from programme to programme. For undergraduate Nursing courses, candidates should pass Class 12 Board exam in Science stream with Biology as a core subject. For postgraduate Nursing courses, applicants should have a degree or diploma in Nursing and have completed the compulsory internship.

Q: Is Mathematics a compulsory subject to have studied in the higher secondary level for pursuing Nursing courses?

A: No, Mathematics is not a compulsory subject to be studied at the higher secondary level. However, a thorough knowledge of the subject and mathematical skills would be beneficial for them in the long run.

Q: What are some of the top Nursing entrance exams in India?

A: Some of the top Nursing entrance exams include AIIMS Nursing entrance exam, IPU CET Nursing, Chhattisgarh State Nursing Entrance Exam, among others. Since 2021, NEET UG exam scores are considered valid for Nursing admission.

Q: Is there an age limit to pursue Nursing courses?

A: Yes, there is an age limit set to get admission into Nursing course. Applicants’ age should not be less than 17 years of age and not more than 35 years of age as on December 31 of the year of admission.

Q: What are the subjects taught in Nursing courses?

A: Some of the main subjects taught in the Nursing courses include Basic Sciences, Nutrition and Dietetics, Psychology, Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing, Nursing Fundamentals, Community Health Nursing, among others.

Q: Can Nursing courses be pursued in Distance learning mode?

A: Yes, Nursing courses are offered in Distance learning mode. But candidates must ensure that the programmes are recognised and accredited by the requisite authorities.

Q: Are part time or certificate courses available for Nursing?

A: Yes, part time and certificate courses are provided for Nursing courses.

Q: What is the name of the competent authority of Nursing courses in India?

A: Indian Nursing Council is the competent authority for the Nursing courses offered in India.

Table of content
  • Popular Nursing Colleges in India
  • Popular Private Nursing Colleges in India
  • Popular Exams
  • Popular Nursing Specializations
  • Most Popular Courses
  • Popular Nursing UG Courses
  • Popular Nursing PG Courses
View More

Popular Nursing Colleges in India

Following are the most popular Nursing Colleges in India. Learn more about these Nursing colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
13 Courses
50 K - 6.36 L
4.5
80 K
5.0
1 Course
38.32 K
4.5
13 Courses
1.2 K - 26.58 K
8 - 24 LPA
400 - 2.4 K
20 - 24 LPA
4 Courses
24 K - 50 K
4.4

Popular Private Nursing Colleges in India

1.3 L - 8.8 L
96 K - 12.15 L
4.8 - 5 LPA
4 Courses
1.27 L - 1.97 L
4.8
1.47 L - 5.16 L
4.0

Nursing Applications open. Apply Now

Popular Exams

Following are the top exams for Nursing. Students interested in pursuing a career on Nursing, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.

24 Oct ' 25 - 28 Oct ' 25

RUHS Nursing Counselling Round-3 Institute Report...

23 Oct ' 25

RUHS Nursing Counselling Round-3 Seat Allotment

28 Jul ' 25

CNET 2025 Counselling Mop-up Round Seat Allotment

12 Jul ' 25

CNET 2025 Counselling Mop-up Round Seat Matrix

14 Jun ' 26

AIIMS BSc Nursing (Post Basic) Exam

21 Jun ' 26

AIIMS BSc Nursing (Post Basic) Result 2026

4 Jul ' 25 - 7 Jul ' 25

Indian Army BSc Nursing Application Correction

15 Jun ' 25 - 2 Jul ' 25

Indian Army BSc Nursing Application Forms

Popular Nursing Specializations

Following are the most popular Nursing Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Popular Nursing UG Courses

Following are the most popular Nursing UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

UG Courses

Popular Nursing PG Courses

Following are the most popular Nursing PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

PG Courses

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Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 4 days ago

Hi.

A specific college named "
JP Nursing College
" in Bhopal appears to be listed on directories like Justdial, but there is no official, independent website to verify its exact contact information. The information available is based on directory listings and might not be official. 
 
Contact details fr

...Read more

h

heena agrawal

Scholar-Level 17

Answered a week ago

hi...

Eligibility Criteria for M.Sc. in Medical Surgical Nursing
To be eligible for the M.Sc. in Medical Surgical Nursing program at the MGM Institute of Nursing, Aurangabad (under MGM Institute of Health Sciences), candidates must meet the following criteria:
  • Registration: The candidate must be a Regi

...Read more

h

heena agrawal

Scholar-Level 17

Answered a week ago

hi.

A BSc Nursing degree offers numerous career advancement and specialisation options beyond a general staff nurse role. The best options depend on your interests in clinical practice, administration, education, or global opportunities. 
 
Career Advancement Options
  • Specialized Clinical Roles: You can

...Read more

h

heena agrawal

Scholar-Level 17

Answered a week ago

hi...

Yes, admission are currently open at Dharan Nursing College for the B.Sc. in Nursing program for the 2025 academic year. 
 
Admission Details for B.Sc. Nursing
  • Application Process: Candidates can register and apply online via the official website or contact the college directly for the application

...Read more

h

heena agrawal

Scholar-Level 17

Answered a week ago

hi...

Yes

Implications for Working Abroad
INC approval is necessary for a nursing qualification to be recognized as valid outside of India. Here's what that means: 
  • Recognition: The INC accreditation ensures that the college's curriculum and standards meet national guidelines, making the degree or diplo

...Read more

h

heena agrawal

Scholar-Level 17

Answered a week ago

hi.

Courses Offered
The college offers the following nursing Diploma course: 
  • GNM (General Nursing and Midwifery): A 3-year Diploma course with a sanctioned intake of 60 seats. 
 
Admission and Eligibility (for GNM)
  • Eligibility: To be eligible, candidates must have passed their 10+2 (intermediate) examina

...Read more

h

heena agrawal

Scholar-Level 17

Answered a month ago

The institute has not announced the fees for the AY 2025-26. When PGIMER will announce the fee, students will be able to pay it using debit or credit card. Last year, the application fee for this course was INR 1,500 for the general and OBC categories and INR 1,200 for the SC/ST category.

P

Pallavi Pathak

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

PGIMER does not accept the NEET UG score. You need to appear in the PGIMER BSc Nursing exam separately for the BSc Nursing program. To appear in this examination, students must have completed the Class 12 examination with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English subjects. A separate counseling will

...Read more

P

Pallavi Pathak

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

To appear in this exam, the students must have completed the BSc Nursing/Post Basic Nursing with a minimum of 55%. It should be completed from a recognised institute. They should also have a minimum of one year of work experience working in a hospital with a minimum of 100 beds. The student should b

...Read more

P

Pallavi Pathak

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

There are around 3,000 BSc Nursing colleges in India offering BSc Nursing courses in various modes. The fee structure of these colleges can vary depending on the college rating, entity type, placement records, faculty rating, etc. Hence, the fee structure can start from INR 1,000 and can go up to IN

...Read more

A

Akansha Bisht

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

In Nursing, the definition of Health is the complete physical, mental, and social well-being of a human, and not just the absence of disease in the body. This definition is described by the World Health Organization (WHO).

R

Rashmi Thakur

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, Nursing courses are offered at various levels and in many specializations. You can pursue a Nursing at the UG-level (BSc Nursing), PG-level (MSc Nursing), Diploma-level (GNM and ANM), Post-Basic BSc Nursing, etc. Also, at the PG-level, you'll even get to choose the specialised areas like Oncol

...Read more

N

Nikita Chauhan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

Today, Nursing is one of the highest-demanding professions worldwide. You can measure the importance of a Nursing course by the fact that there are only 1.9 Nurses per 1,000 people, far below the WHO's recommendation of a ratio of 3 nurses per 1,000. Nurses are the centre of any healthcare facility

...Read more

A

Atul Arora

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

Hi, the average salary of a Registered Nurse in India is INR 4.3 LPA. This range can increase or decrease based on the employer, job location, relevant experience, and skills. For instance, Manipal Hospitals offers INR 3.9 LPA to Nurses, whereas King Fahad Specialist Hospital offers INR 3.4 LPA, Apo

...Read more

R

Rashmi Srivastava

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 2 months ago

Being in the Nursing profession, your focus is to promote, protect, and optimize the health of your patients. Nurses are of different types, for instance, Home Nurse, Community Nurse, Emergency Care Nurse, Child Health Nurse, OT Nurse, Dialysis Nurse, and so on. Their work environment and duties dif

...Read more

S

Shikha Arora

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

There are many. For example:

  • Getting a Nursing degree will allow you to become a Registered Nurse in the healthcare field anywhere around the world.
  • There will be job security, since Nurses are always in high demand across the globe.
  • Nursing is a highly trusted and respected profession.

G

Gunjan Dhawan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

Listed below are the top private BSc Nursing colleges in Lucknow along with their tuition fees:

Private Colleges

Tuition Fee

Eligibility/Exams

IUL Admission

INR 1.8 Lacs – INR 5.6 Lakh

IUET

Avadh Institute of Medical Technology and Hospital Admission

INR 72,000

Merit-Based

Era University Admission

INR 5.4 Lakh

Merit-Based

Vivekanand College of Nursing Admission

INR 3.05 Lakh

Merit-Based

Nishat Hospital and Institute of Paramedical Sciences and College of Nursing Admission

INR 1.44 Lakh

Merit-Based

Disclaimer: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, joining the best BSc Nursing colleges in Lucknow can be worthwhile for you. For that, you need to check its ROI. Listed below are some colleges along with their tuition fees and average placement package:

College Name

Total Tuition Fee

Average Salary Package

KGMU BSc Courses

INR 48,000

INR 5 LPA

IUL BSc Courses

INR 1.8 Lakh- INR 5.6 Lakh

INR 3.25 LPA

Disclaimer: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

T

Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Paramedical courses are distinct from nursing and medical degrees in terms of scope and duration:

  • Nursing Degrees: Nurses provide direct patient care and are involved in the overall management of patient health.

  • Medical Degrees (MBBS): Doctors diagnose and treat diseases, perform surgeries, and overse

...Read more

K

Kanishk Shukla

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Some core subjects included in the MSc Nursing curriculum are Advanced nursing practice (including Genetics), Nursing Education, Nursing Research & Statistics, Nursing Management, and Nursing Research. Apart from these, you'll read all the subjects based on the specialty chosen. Some popular Nursing

...Read more

G

Gunjan Dhawan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

There are more than 800 MSc Nursing colleges in India, and these colleges include both government and private entities. The fee structure of all the colleges can differ depending on the college rating, placement record, faculty rating, college reputation, etc. However, the average M.Sc Nursing Fees

...Read more

I

Ishita Uniyal

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

The MSc Nursing eligibility criteria can vary depending on the colleges, but the general requirements are:

  • Obtain a bachelor's degree (BSc Nursing preferred)
  • A minimum of 50-60% from a recognised university
  • Entrance exam scores like CUET PG, AIIMS MSc Nursing, etc.
  • Be a Registered Nurse and Registered M

...Read more

M

Mohit Datta

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

The MSc Nursing duration is 2 years in India, similar to any other PG degree program. In the first year of MSc Nursing, all the students get in-depth knowledge of Nursing principles, and in the second year, they read particularly about the specialisation chosen. The programme also includes internshi

...Read more

L

Lalit Rastogi

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

Of course, the demand for Nursing professionals is high in the medical field, with a lot of job options in different departments in various healthcare facilities. MSc Nursing is a higher-level degree in the Nursing field, where not only do your chances of getting a higher salary increase, but you'll

...Read more

A

Akansha Bisht

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

The MSc Nursing full form is Master of Science in Nursing, a postgraduate degree programme in Nursing, which you can opt for with a specialisation like Oncology, Cardiovascular & Thoracic, Critical Care, Neurosciences, Psychiatric, Gastroenterology, or Medical-Surgical. It's a high-level degree prog

...Read more

S

Sreetama Shrivastava

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

The average salary for an MSc Nursing graduate is not fixed. It depends on the work profile and the department (chosen at the PG level). However, the average salary a Registered nurse after MSc Nursing can earn is INR 6.7 LPA in India. After a few years of experience, the job position and salary can

...Read more

N

Nikita Chauhan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 months ago

No, candidates do not need to have biology as a compulsory subject during their Class 12 board exams. The eligibility criteria for BSc in Nursing at SIMS mentions that candidates from both the PCM and PCB streams are eligible to apply for BSc courses at SIMS. There is no mention of any mandatory sub

...Read more

S

Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Total fee for the 4-year B.Sc. Nursing program is INR 362,400, which averages to around INR 90,600 per year.

 

Inclusion/exclusion of additional charges (e.g., exam fees, lab fees, development charges, or university affiliation fees).

J

Jaswant yogi

Beginner-Level 3

Answered 2 months ago

Many private institutions, like SSBCN, might not publish detailed cutoff lists similar to national exams (like NEET or CUET). Instead, they rely on internal merit lists derived from academic scores and/or their own entrance criteria.

 

Eligibility criteria: For general category applicants, a minimum o

...Read more

J

Jaswant yogi

Beginner-Level 3

Answered 2 months ago

Nursing graduates pursue a variety of nursing careers roles including hospitals, GPS, district nursing, prisons, private hospitals, charities, armed forces. These nursing courses such as Adult Nursing, Learning Disabilities Nursing, etc. Kingston University has more than 40 practice partners for adu

...Read more

K

Kanishka Gambhir

Contributor-Level 10

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