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Nidhi Gupta
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Updated on Oct 27, 2025 17:37 IST
Want to pursue nursing after class 12, but have opted for Arts or commerce? Here are the details of the programmes in nursing which can be pursued after class with Arts and Commerce streams. Find out eligibility criteria, admission fee, and course details to seek admission to ANM, GNM couses here.

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

All About Nursing after Class 12

After completing Class 12, candidates belonging to a science background either opt for the medical or engineering profession. The medical domain aspirants generally wish to pursue MBBS. However, those who do not want to pursue MBBS can pursue nursing courses to advance their career. Nursing as a professional stream is available to everyone in the current scenario. Infact, candidates belonging to other streams such as Commerce and Arts/humanities can also pursue nursing after Class 12. This might sound new to some non-science aspirants, but the truth in the present scenario makes nursing a popular and available stream for aspirants from unrelated backgrounds. In this article, students hailing from the business and arts streams can explore how to venture into nursing as a profession. The Medical Council has opened a gateway for entry to this profession. Read the eligibility requirements and find out how to be a part of the medical industry here.  

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.

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Read this article to know about the courses, fees, eligibility criteria, and other details of the top Nursing courses in 2024 after 12th for Arts and Commerce students.  

Table of contents
  • Highlights of Nursing Courses After 12th in 2025
  • Nursing Course Fees After 12th for Arts and Commerce Students
  • Nursing Course Eligibility After 12th for Arts and Commerce Aspirants
  • FAQs on Nursing Courses After 12th for Arts and Commerce Aspirants

Highlights of Nursing Courses After 12th in 2025

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

Q:   How to apply for WB ANM GNM exam?
A:

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.

Q:   Can I apply for the WB ANM GNM exam offline?
A:

No. There is no provision for the candidates to apply for the WB ANM GNM entrance exam offline. The WB ANM GNM application form was available only in online mode. WBJEEB provided the application form at the official website, wbjeeb.nic.in/anm-gnm/ from September 4 to September 15, 2025.

Q:   I am 30 years old, can I apply for the WB ANM/GNM nursing exam?
A:

No, as per the criteria mentioned by the WBJEEB, those candidates who are 17 to 27 years can apply for the WB ANM/GNM entrance exam. A 30-year-old aspirant is not eligible to appear for the entrance. 

Also Read: ANM Vs GNM Vs BSc Nursing: Which Course is the Best after Class 12?

Nursing Course Fees After 12th for Arts and Commerce Students

Explore more Nursing exams with upcoming dates

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Join the ANM and GNM courses in the popular colleges listed below. The ANM & GNM Nursing Course fees will be the same for the applicants who complete their 12th standard exams from either the Art or Commerce streams. The institute-wise course fees of ANM and GNM are mentioned 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.

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. 

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
  • Aspirants who have passed class 12 with Arts, Commerce, or Science stream conducted by the National Institute of Open School (NIOS) are also eligible to pursue ANM and GNM diploma courses
  • The aspirant should not be less than 17 years of age as of December 31 of the year in which admission is sought
  • The aspirant’s age should not exceed 35 years in the year he/she apply
  • The candidate should be medically fit and admitted once a year

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
Q:   I belong to Bihar state. Can I appear for WB ANM/GNM exam?
A:

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. 

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.

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

Read More:

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FAQs on Nursing Courses After 12th for Arts and Commerce Aspirants

Q. Can a Commerce student do nursing after 12th?

A. Yes, a commerce student can do Nursing after the 12th standard of the exam. There are various Ug & PG Nursing exams are conducted at the national and state levels. To qualify for the exam applicants need to check the eligibility criteria for these exams and after qualifying the exams students need to learn Nursing at a basic & advanced level. After that candidates will be able to pursue their careers in Nursing. 

Q. What are some of the top Nursing courses after 12?

A. Auxiliary Nursing Midwife (ANM) and General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) are two programmes that applicants can do to pursue their career in Nursing. These exams are conducted by various state government authorities to enable students to pursue a career in Nursing.  

Q. Which Nursing course is best after the 12th without the NEET exam?

A. BSc Nursing courses are one of the popular exams to pursue a career in Nursing. To gain admission into a Nursing course, it is not mandatory to appear for the NEET exam. Many institutes conduct their entrance exam for admission to BSc Nursing courses offered by them.

Applicants are advised to appear for the exam conducted by these institutions and ensure they qualify for the exam. 

Q. What is the fees of Nursing course after 12th?

A. The course varies for both Auxiliary Nursing Midwife (ANM) and General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) programmes. The average fees for the ANM course range from INR 10,000 to INR 60,000 per annum

While for GNM the fee ranges from INR 20,000 to INR 1.5 Lakh per annum. 

This fee range is not absolute and it can vary depending on the courses offered by various state government institutions. 

 

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About the Author
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Nidhi Gupta
Deputy Manager

With over 11 years of experience in digital content, Nidhi is an expert in the Education beat. She has previously worked with a publishing house and a top digital media firm. She holds an MBA degree and yet has prov

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Answered 4 days ago

The West Bengal ANM/GNM Nursing official website is "wbjeeb.nic.in/anm-gnm". Important events such as the online application form, admit card, result, and counselling will be managed and organised through this platform only. 

N

Nishtha Singh

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 4 days ago

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. 

S

Saumya Bhandari

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 4 days ago

No, as per the criteria mentioned by the WBJEEB, those candidates who are 17 to 27 years can apply for the WB ANM/GNM entrance exam. A 30-year-old aspirant is not eligible to appear for the entrance. 

A

Anshuman Dhyani

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 4 days ago

In the WB ANM GNM nursing application form, details such as parents' name, applicant's name, domicile, and date of birth cannot be tweaked. Candidates are requested to cross-check these particulars with utmost care before submitting the registration form. 

R

Raj Rai

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 4 days ago

The West Bengal ANM/GNM nursing application correction process began on September 17 and concluded a day after on September 18, 2025. Candidates are allowed to make changes to a selected few details and to the documents uploaded on the portal. 

K

Kanishk Dhawan

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 5 days ago

It all depends on your preparation strategy. Otherwise, three months duration is enough for the WB ANM/GNM exam preparation. The focus must be on practicing as many MCQs as possible from all subjects. Solve the previous year's papers. Make notes for the last-minute revision. Evaluate your performanc

...Read more

P

Pallavi Shukla

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 5 days ago

No, it is not necessary to join any coaching centre to appear in the West Bengal ANM/GNM Nursing entrance. Self-studies can also suffice for the purpose, provided a candidate must practice from previous year papers, sample papers, model test sheets, and mock tests to brace the exam well on the final

...Read more

N

Nishtha Nishtha

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 5 days ago

To prepare for the WB ANM/GNM Nursing exam, candidates have to practice previous year papers, refer to the best books written by experts, appear for mock tests to enhance their speed and accuracy, and join test series if needed to strengthen their preparation. 

N

Nidhi Gupta

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 5 days ago

No, the West Bengal ANM/GNM nursing entrance will carry only objective questions. However, there are 1-mark and 2-mark questions in the exam. But all these questions carry four options each to test the aspirant. As of now, no subjective questions are given in the entrance. 

S

Shailja Shrivastava

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 5 days ago

The West Bengal ANM/GNM Nursing question paper is important for the aspirants to solve, so that they can gauge an idea about the exam difficulty level. As the exam is conducted in offline mode, the real-time experience of attempting the exam is also possible through this medium. 

N

Nishtha Kumar

Beginner-Level 5