MSc Nursing Admission for GNM Graduates: Eligibility & Colleges
Know all about the MSc Nursing Admission Criteria for GNM Graduates. Get complete information about the MSc Nursing eligibility criteria, top colleges, and entrances for which you can prepare.
MSc nursing offers great career growth for aspirants planning a future in the medical industry. Not only in India, but there are plethora of opportunities in foreign lands for such aspirants. However, candidates who pursue a GNM degree are often in a fix about whether they can pursue the MSc Nursing programme or not.
In this article, find out all about the career trajectory, open for the GNM aspirants, and which route they should follow to pursue MSc nursing in India. Get complete details about the MSc Nursing Admission for GNM Graduates. Find out who the eligible candidates are and which are the top MSc Nursing colleges in India in the upcoming sections:
- Can a GNM Nurse do MSc Nursing?
- MSc Nursing Admission for GNM Graduates: Eligibility Criteria
- Can I pursue MSc Nursing after completing GNM?
- Top MSc Nursing Entrances in India
- MSc Nursing Admission in Government College
Can a GNM Nurse do MSc Nursing?
Yes, a GNM-qualified candidate can plan to pursue MSc nursing. However, he/she must first enroll for the BSc nursing degree in order to level up for the postgraduate course. After completing GNM, a candidate will get a six-month clinical experience. Then the logical progression is a BSc nursing degree. Know the eligibility criteria to apply for the programme.
Commonly asked questions
The AIIMS nursing entrance is conducted for admission to AIIMS BSc (hons). A separate entrance exam is conducted for admission to the AIIMS Nursing (Post Basic) programme. Candidates must check the AIIMS Nursing eligibility criteria mentioned below to appear for the entrance exam:
Eligibilty Criteria for AIIMS BSc (Hons)
- It is mandatory to clear or have passed Class 12 exams or equivalent exams from a recognised board with Physics Chemistry, Biology and English subjects.
- Candidate must have secured a minimum of 55 per cent marks in aggregate in class 12.
- SC/ST category candidates should have secured 50 per cent in aggregate.
Eligibilty Criteria for AIIMS BSc (Post basic)
- To appear in the BSc (Post basic) nursing exam, candidates possessing a Diploma in GNM (General Nursing and Midwifery) from any Indian Nursing Council recognised institution are eligible to apply.
- In addition, the applicant must have registered themselves as nurses or midwives with the State Nursing Council.
- A mandatory six months of training as a registered nurse.
Candidates with minimum age for admission is 17 years on or before 31st December 2025 can apply for the nursing entrance exam. It is mandatory to have passed class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB) taken together. English must be a mandatory subject in Class 12. 45 per cent aggregate marks in PCB for general category candidates, and 40% marks in PCB for reserved category candidates are mandatory.
Candidate not more than 35 years of age can apply for the UP CNET exam. The minimum age to appear for the CNET nursing exam is 17 years. Age is an important criterion. Candidates must adhere to it while filling the application form. Candidates not fulfilling this criterion but having qualified the exam will not be given admission to the CNET participating institutes.
MSc Nursing Admission for GNM Graduates: Eligibility Criteria
Here are the eligibility conditions that a candidate must fulfill if they aim to seek admission in the MSc nursing entrance exam:
- The aspirant must have passed the BSc Nursing or Post Basic Nursing programme from a recognized university or college.
- The candidate must have scored 55% aggregate marks in the qualifying degree (for reserved categories, this score can be 45% to 50% aggregate marks).
- The applicant must have been registered as a Registered Nurse (RN) and Registered Midwife (RM) or equivalent with a State Nursing Council.
- It would be preferred if the candidates had gained a minimum of one year of experience after completing their graduation.
- Medical Fitness is a mandatory requirement to thrive in the field as per the Indian Nursing Council (INC).
Can I pursue MSc Nursing after completing GNM?
No, you cannot pursue an MSc Nursing just after completing the GNM degree. There is an academic progression that you must follow to pursue an MSc nursing.
Also Read: GNM Nursing Admission 2026: Application Form, Dates, Eligibility & Counselling Process
In case a candidate is pursuing or plans to pursue Post Basic BSc Nursing, then also he/she will be eligible to apply for the postgraduate nursing degree programme. The applicant must be a Registered Nurse with a State Nursing Council. In the upcoming sections, find out all about the top colleges and important entrance exams to prepare for admission.
Commonly asked questions
Yes, candidates will have to appear for the AIIMS nursing 2026 entrance exam because NEET UG is not accepted by the AIIMS for nursing courses. AIIMS Delhi conducts a separate exam for granting admission to AIIMS BSc nursing program
The minimum age limit to apply for the UP CNET 2026 exam is generally set at 17 years as of December 31, 2026. The exam is held once a year by ABVMU, Lucknow. It is mandatory to fill out the application form to appear for the UG-level nursing entrance.
The candidates who secure the qualifying marks as per the cutoff will be considered qualified. The qualifying status of the candidates will be mentioned on the AIIMS Nursing 2026 result.
Explore colleges based on JEMScN
Top MSc Nursing Entrances in India
Here is a list of the top MSc nursing entrance exams for which BSc nursing aspirants can appear to secure a seat in both government and private colleges:
- AIIMS MSc Nursing: This is a top PG-level entrance exam for nursing aspirants, which will be conducted on June 13, 2026, in online mode. After the result announcement on June 20, 2026, candidates can participate in the counselling process to seek admission.
- PGIMER MSc Nursing: This is another sought-after entrance whose score will only be accepted by the PGI Chandigarh. Candidates can appear for this exam in July 2026, tentatively.
- UP CNET: Some premier colleges, such as KGMU, SGPGIMS, and RMLIMS, are among the highly sought-after choices among other colleges. Do appear for this entrance if you wish to secure a seat in these top nursing colleges.
- JEMScN: The candidates hailing from West Bengal domicile can appear for this exam as it offers admission to the best colleges in the state itself.
Also Read: Nursing Courses: All About Eligibility, Top Exams, Career Scope, Jobs
MSc Nursing Admission in Government College
Here is a list of the top 10 MSc nursing government colleges in India for which aspirants can apply in the academic year 2026-27. Shortlist a college of your choice from the ones given below and prepare for the entrance exam accordingly:
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi
- Armed Forces Medical College
- KGMU - King George's Medical University
- JIPMER Puducherry
- National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences
- Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur College of Nursing
- Madras Medical College, Chennai
- PGIMER Chandigarh
- BJ Medical College, Ahmedabad
- Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University
Read More:
MSc Nursing Admission Through AIIMS NORCET: Dates, Pattern & Selection
ANM Vs GNM Vs BSc Nursing: Which Course is the Best after Class 12?

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