Nursing Courses After 12th for Arts and Commerce Aspirants
West Bengal ANM/GNM Nursing 2026
West Bengal ANM 2026 Admit Card Release Date
4 Jun '26 - 14 Jun '26
Planning to pursue nursing after class 12, but opted for Arts or Commerce? Here are the details of the programmes in nursing that can be pursued after class 12 for those who opted for the Arts and Commerce streams.
All About Nursing after Class 12
After finishing Class 12, science students can choose medical or engineering. Students who want to join the medical field usually choose MBBS, but students who do not want to study MBBS can choose nursing. Nursing is open to everyone today. Students from Commerce or Arts/Humanities can also study nursing after Class 12.
This may feel new for non-science students, but nursing is now a popular option for all streams. This article shows how students from Commerce and Arts can enter the nursing field. The Medical Council has made it possible for them to join this profession. Read this Shiksha article to know about the eligibility rules and learn how one can become part of the medical field.
- All About ANM and GNM Courses
- Highlights of Nursing Courses After 12th in 2026
- Nursing Course Fees After 12th for Arts and Commerce Students
- ANM vs GNM Eligibility: Key Differences
- Nursing Course Eligibility After 12th for Arts and Commerce Aspirants
All About ANM and GNM Courses
Auxiliary Nursing Midwife (ANM) and General Nursing Midwife (GNM) diploma programmes are available for students who have completed their class 12 examinations with Arts and Commerce streams. After completing the diploma, including an internship, and registration with the relevant state nursing council as a registered ANM or Registered Nurse Registered Midwife (RNRM), you can work as a nurse in hospitals and other healthcare settings.
Read this article to know about the courses, fees, eligibility criteria, and other details of the top Nursing courses after 12th for Arts and Commerce students.
Also Read: Top ANM Government Colleges in India
Highlights of Nursing Courses After 12th in 2026
Find out all the programmes available for the Arts/Humanities stream candidates to pursue their career in the nursing domain:
| Course Level |
Diploma |
|---|---|
| ANM and GNM Full Form |
Auxiliary Nursing Midwife (ANM) and General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) |
| Course Duration |
ANM: Two-year diploma course with a six-month mandatory internship GNM: Three and a half years (Inclusive of a six-month mandatory internship) |
| Session Type |
Semester System or Year-wise (Depends on Governing Institute/University/Conducting Body) |
| Eligibility |
Class 12 with a minimum 40 to 50 percent in aggregate with Arts, Commerce, and Science streams |
| Admission Process |
Based on the performance in the entrance exam and based on Merit |
| Course Fee |
ANM: Fee ranges from INR 2,500 to INR 60,000 per annum GNM: Fee ranges from INR 20,000 to INR 1.5 Lakh per annum |
| Average Starting Salary |
ANM: INR 8,000 to INR 12,000 per month GNM: INR 15,000 to 18,000 per month |
Also Read: ANM Vs GNM Vs BSc Nursing: Which Course is the Best after Class 12?
Commonly asked questions
The WB ANM registration process was conducted entirely online. This year WB ANM application process began in the last week of August. Applicants had to visit the official website of WBJEEB, wbjeeb.nic.in. Create an account by registering using your personal details. Complete and submit the application form, scan and upload a copy of your picture and signature, followed by paying the application fee in online mode.
No, as per the eligibility criteria defined by WBJEEB, a bihar domiciled candidates does not qualify to appear or apply for the entrance exam. He/she will not be able to apply for the government colleges in the state.
Yes, as per the criteria mentioned by the WBJEEB WB ANM GNM 2026 information bulletin, the candidates who are 17 years of age on December 31, 2026, can apply for the WB ANM/GNM entrance exam.
A 30-year-old aspirant are eligible to appear for the entrance exam. For ANM exam, only female candidates can apply.
Yes, the WBJEEB has removed the upper age limit for the WB ANM GNM exam. Earlier it was 27 years but now anyone above 17 years of age can apply for the exam.
The age cutoff date is December 31, 2026.
Nursing Course Fees After 12th for Arts and Commerce Students
You can join ANM and GNM courses in the colleges given below. The course fees for ANM and GNM will be the same for students from Arts or Commerce backgrounds. The fees for each college are given in the table below.
| Institute Name | Average Course Fees |
|---|---|
| Institute of Nursing Education, Bambolim | INR 500 approx |
| School of Nursing, General Hospital, Bharuch (Gujarat) | INR 500 approx |
| Mata Sahib Kaur College of Nursing (Delhi) ANM course | INR 50000 approx |
| Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (Bangalore) |
INR 30000 approx |
| Government College of Nursing, Thrissur (Kerala) |
INR 20000 approx |
| Government ANM Training School, Community Health Centre (Arunachal Pradesh) |
INR 50000 approx |
Students can check the GNM Nursing Course after 12th Arts fees from the table mentioned above, and accordingly, they can plan their strategy to appear and apply for the exam.
Also Read: Top BSc Nursing Exams to Prepare for in 2026
ANM vs GNM Eligibility: Key Differences
Find out the key differences between ANM and GNM eligibility criteria:
| Feature | ANM Diploma | GNM Diploma |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Stream | Accepts Arts, Commerce, Science, and Vocational Healthcare | Prefers Science stream; also accepts vocational ANM/healthcare |
| Minimum Marks | 40%–50% aggregate (varies by state/institute) | Minimum 40% aggregate and 40% in English individually |
| Additional Eligibility | No prior nursing experience required | Registered ANMs and vocational stream students are eligible |
| Gender Preference | Traditionally female, now open to all | Open to all genders |
| Course Duration | 2 years | 3 years + 6 months internship |
Also Read: Qualities of a Nurse - Know Essential Qualifications Required
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Nursing Course Eligibility After 12th for Arts and Commerce Aspirants
After finishing class 12, the Indian Nursing Council (INC) has established certain qualifying requirements that allow candidates to attend ANM and GNM nursing courses. The Indian Nursing Council is an autonomous body of the Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, that was established in 1947 under the umbrella of the Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947. It is the regulating authority for nurses and nursing education in India. The INC has established qualifying requirements for ANM and GNM Nursing diploma programmes. Students who have passed from an Arts and Commerce background can check the eligibility details for Nursing courses, ANM, and GNM after class 12th as mentioned below.
Also Read: BSc Nursing Admission 2026 Without NEET: Colleges & State-wise Process
ANM Nursing Diploma Eligibility Criteria
- The aspirant should have attained minimum educational requirements and have passed class 12 with Arts, Commerce, or Science streams (Mathematics, Physics, C/hemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Economics, Political Science, History, Geography, Business Studies, Accountancy, Home Science, Sociology, Psychology, and Philosophy) along with English Core/English Elective or Science or Health care Science - Vocational stream from a recognized Board
- Students who passed Class 12 in Arts, Commerce, or Science from the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) can also join ANM or GNM courses.
- Aspirants must be at least 17 years old on December 31 of the admission year.
- The student should not be older than 35 years in the year they apply. The student must be medically fit.
- Admission is given only once a year.
Also Read: ANM GNM Entrance Exam Date 2026
For GNM Nursing Diploma Eligibility Criteria
- Aspirants should have passed class 12 in English and must have secured a minimum of 40 percent in aggregate and English individually from any recognized board. Aspirants from State Open Schools recognized by the State Government and the National Institute of Open School (NIOS) recognized by the Central Government are also eligible. However, Science is preferable.
- Students should have passed class 12 in English, securing 40 percent in aggregate in vocational ANM courses from any institute recognized by the Indian Nursing Council
- Aspirants should have passed class 12 with English having 40 percent in aggregate in Vocational Stream-Healthcare Science from a recognized CBSE board/Centre.
- Candidates should be registered ANM with a pass mark
The ANM is the first and most practical choice for nursing aspirants who have completed the class 12 exam from a non-science or science stream and are committed to studying nursing. Diploma graduates can register as nurses and pursue the GNM diploma programme after completing the ANM programme and the internship as well. They will be eligible for the BSc Nursing and BSc (Post-Basic) Nursing programmes as a result of the procedure.
Read More:
GNM Nursing Admission 2026: Application Form, Dates, Eligibility & Counselling Process
News & Updates
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a month ago
Yes, the candidates should note that there is a negative marking of 1/4 marks for each incorrect answer. For each correct answer, 1 mark is awarded.
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
The candidates will get around four days to raise objections against the incorrect answers mentioned in the provisional WB ANM GNM answer key. The candidates will be required to submit a fee of INR 500 (non-refundable) for each objection raised.
V
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
Yes, the WBJEEB mention the category of the candidate in the WB ANM GNM result card because the cutoff is released in the category-wise manner.
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
The WBJEEB will conduct the WB ANM GNM 2026 exam on June 14. The result is expected in July/August. The WB ANM GNM 2026 Counselling will be conducted in August/September 2026.
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a month ago
The candidates will be required to carry one photo identity proof with their WB ANM GNM admit card to establish their identity when asked for. In the absence of photo idenitity proof, the candidate can be denied entry into the examination centre.
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
There will be following sections in the WB ANM GNM Exam
- Life Science
- Physical Science
- Basic English
- Mathematics
- General Knowledge
- Logical Reasoning
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
There will be 100 Multiple Choice Questions in the WB ANM GNM exam. The candidates will be required to mark the answers in the OMR sheet.
A
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
Yes, the candidates will be required to deposit a objection raising fee of INR 500 for each objection raised. It will be non-refundable fee.
R
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
The WB ANM GNM 2026 exam will be conducted on June 14 and the Board will release the provisional answer key on June 24.
R
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
The West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination Board conduct the WB ANM GNM exam once every year. In 2026, the West Bengal ANM GNM will be held on June 14, 2026.
A
Contributor-Level 6
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