The Nursing Entrance Exam 2026 is the gateway for admission to ANM, GNM, B.Sc Nursing, Post Basic B.Sc Nursing, M.Sc Nursing, M.Phil and Ph.D. programmes at hospitals, AIIMS, government and private nursing colleges across India. Generally, the most prestigious national-level tests are the AIIMS B.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam and AIIMS M.Sc Nursing Entrance, conducted by AIIMS Delhi. Furthermore, the IGNOU Post Basic B.Sc Nursing (OPENNET) and Indian Army Military Nursing Service (admission through NEET) cover national-level options. Moreover, every state and several universities run their own nursing CETs and ANM / GNM entrance exams. This page lists every major nursing admission test in India along with eligibility, exam pattern, important details and preparation tips — see the full list of entrance exams in other streams too.
- Regulated by the Indian Nursing Council (INC) and respective State Nursing Councils.
- Cover admission to ANM, GNM, B.Sc Nursing, Post Basic B.Sc Nursing, M.Sc Nursing and Ph.D. programmes.
- Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB) is the standard eligibility for B.Sc Nursing admission.
- Most exams are conducted in online Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode with multiple-choice questions on nursing fundamentals, science and aptitude.
- Importantly, AIIMS B.Sc Nursing and PGIMER B.Sc Nursing are the most competitive entrances, with stipend-paid quality training.
Quick Highlights – Nursing Admission
| Exams Listed | 80+ | Levels | National • State • Institute |
| Course Levels | ANM / GNM / UG / PG / PhD | Regulating Body | Indian Nursing Council (INC) |
| B.Sc Nursing Duration | 4 Years | Exam Mode | Online CBT (mostly) |
What is Nursing Entrance Exam 2026?
A nursing admission test is a competitive examination conducted at national, state or institute level to shortlist candidates for ANM, GNM, B.Sc Nursing, Post Basic B.Sc Nursing, M.Sc Nursing and Ph.D. in Nursing programmes. Generally, the most prestigious national-level tests are the AIIMS B.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam and AIIMS M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam, conducted by AIIMS Delhi. Furthermore, the IGNOU Post Basic B.Sc Nursing (OPENNET) covers Post Basic B.Sc Nursing through open distance learning. Additionally, the Indian Army Military Nursing Service (MNS) admits candidates through NEET. State and institute-level tests such as PGIMER B.Sc Nursing, GMCH Chandigarh, JIPMER, NIMHANS, RUHS CUET, CMC Vellore, CMC Ludhiana, TMC, WBJEE JENPAUH and several others further broaden the choices for nursing aspirants.
Nursing Entrance Exam 2026 – Complete List
The complete list of nursing admission exams in India, grouped by level, is given below. In particular, click any exam name to see its full details — dates, application form, syllabus, admit card, answer key, result and counselling.
National Level Nursing Entrance Exam 2026
| Name of Exam | Conducted By |
|---|---|
| AIIMS B.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam | All India Institute of Medical Sciences |
| AIIMS M.Sc Nursing Entrance Exam | All India Institute of Medical Sciences |
| IGNOU Post Basic B.Sc Nursing (OPENNET) | Indira Gandhi National Open University |
| Indian Army B.Sc Nursing (MNS) | Indian Army — admission through NEET |
State Level Nursing Entrance Exams
Institute Level Nursing Entrance Exams
| State | Institute Level Exam |
|---|---|
| Assam | SSUHS B.Sc Nursing, AIN Guwahati B.Sc Nursing, AIN Guwahati M.Sc Nursing |
| Chandigarh | GMCH Combined Entrance Test, PGIMER B.Sc Nursing, PGIMER Post Basic B.Sc Nursing, PGIMER M.Sc Nursing, PGIMER Paramedical |
| Delhi | ILBS M.Sc Nursing, RAKCON M.Sc Nursing |
| Gujarat | VNSGU M.Sc Nursing |
| Karnataka | NIMHANS Entrance Exam |
| Maharashtra | BVP CET, KIMS University Nursing, MGM UG CET |
| Manipur | RIMS Imphal M.Sc Nursing |
| Meghalaya | NEIGRIHMS B.Sc Nursing, NEIGRIHMS M.Sc Nursing |
| Odisha | KIITEE |
| Puducherry | JIPMER M.Sc Nursing |
| Punjab | CMC Ludhiana B.Sc Nursing / BPT, CMC Ludhiana M.Sc Nursing |
| Tamil Nadu | CMC Vellore B.Sc Nursing, CMC Vellore PG Nursing |
| Tripura | TMC B.Sc Nursing |
| Uttar Pradesh | ABVMU M.Sc Nursing CET, ABVMU Post Basic B.Sc Nursing CET, SHUATS Entrance Exam |
| West Bengal | AUAT |
ANM & GNM Entrance Exams and Admissions
| State | ANM / GNM Admission |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | AP ANM, AP GNM |
| Assam | OIL GNM |
| Bihar | ANM / GNM through DCECE |
| Chhattisgarh | CG GNM |
| Delhi | ANM / GNM through ANM CEE |
| Gujarat | ANM / GNM through Gujarat ANM GNM Counselling |
| Haryana | Haryana ANM / GNM |
| Himachal Pradesh | HP ANM, HP GNM |
| Jammu & Kashmir | ANM / GNM through J&K Paramedical Entrance |
| Jharkhand | ANM / GNM through Jharkhand ANM GNM |
| Kerala | Kerala GNM Admission |
| Madhya Pradesh | ANM through MP ANMTST |
| Maharashtra | Maharashtra ANM / GNM CET |
| Odisha | ANM / GNM through Odisha ANM GNM Counselling |
| Punjab | Punjab ANM / GNM |
| Rajasthan | Rajasthan ANM, Rajasthan GNM |
| Telangana | TG ANM, TG GNM |
| Tripura / NE States | Tripura ANM / GNM |
| Uttar Pradesh | ANM / GNM through CPPNET |
Top Exams for Nursing Admission in 2026
Of the exams listed above, the following are typically the most widely accepted and most competitive options for nursing aspirants in 2026.
| Exam | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| AIIMS B.Sc Nursing | Gateway to B.Sc (Hons.) Nursing at AIIMS Delhi and other AIIMS campuses — among India’s most respected nursing programmes with stipend-paid training. |
| AIIMS M.Sc Nursing | Entrance for M.Sc Nursing specialisations at all AIIMS campuses. |
| PGIMER B.Sc Nursing | Highly competitive entry to the prestigious B.Sc Nursing programme at PGIMER Chandigarh. |
| WBJEE JENPAUH | West Bengal’s joint nursing UG entrance for B.Sc Nursing, B.P.T, B.M.L.T and other paramedical courses. |
| MH B.Sc Nursing CET | Maharashtra’s state-level CET for B.Sc Nursing admission at all state nursing colleges. |
| CMC Vellore B.Sc Nursing | One of India’s most respected nursing programmes with exceptional clinical exposure. |
Courses Offered Through These Exams
Nursing entrance exams open doors to a wide spectrum of diploma, UG, PG and doctoral programmes across general, midwifery, psychiatric, community and critical-care nursing.
Diploma & Certificate Courses
- Auxiliary Nurse Midwifery (ANM) — 2-year programme
- General Nursing & Midwifery (GNM) — 3-year programme
- Post Basic Diploma in specialisations (Critical Care, Cardio-Thoracic, Oncology, Operation Theatre)
Undergraduate (UG) Courses
- B.Sc Nursing — 4-year programme
- B.Sc (Hons.) Nursing — AIIMS / PGIMER 4-year programme
- Post Basic B.Sc Nursing — 2-year programme for GNM-qualified candidates
Postgraduate (PG) Courses
- M.Sc Nursing — 2-year programme with specialisations in Medical-Surgical, OBG, Paediatric, Psychiatric, Community Health Nursing
- Nurse Practitioner in Critical Care (NPCC) — 2-year programme
Doctoral (PhD) Programmes
- M.Phil in Nursing
- Ph.D. in Nursing — at AIIMS, PGIMER, CMC, RAK College of Nursing and other recognised universities
Eligibility Criteria for Nursing Entrance Exam 2026
Eligibility varies by course level. However, the general framework prescribed by the Indian Nursing Council (INC) and most state authorities is summarised below.
| Level | Academic Qualification | Minimum Marks | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANM | Class 10 / 10+2 (any stream) | 40–50% aggregate | Age limit: 17–35 years |
| GNM | 10+2 in any stream (Science preferred) | 40–45% aggregate | Age limit: 17–35 years |
| B.Sc Nursing (UG) | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English | 45–50% PCB aggregate | Age limit: 17–25 years (relaxation for reserved categories) |
| Post Basic B.Sc Nursing | GNM + Registered Nurse and Midwife (RN&RM) | Pass criteria + 1 year experience (for some institutes) | State Nursing Council registration required |
| M.Sc Nursing | B.Sc Nursing / Post Basic B.Sc Nursing | 55% aggregate + 1 year clinical experience after RN&RM | Specialisation chosen at admission |
| Ph.D. in Nursing | M.Sc Nursing | 55% aggregate (50% for reserved) | Research proposal + interview |
Always confirm exam-specific eligibility on the official notification, since many institutes additionally specify age, domicile and clinical-experience rules.
Common Exam Pattern
Although the exact pattern varies, most nursing entrance exams share a common structure. Generally, candidates can expect the following.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Online Computer-Based Test (CBT); some state ANM / GNM exams are offline |
| Duration | 2 to 3 hours (typical) |
| Sections (UG) | Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English, General Knowledge / Aptitude |
| Sections (PG) | Nursing fundamentals, Medical-Surgical, OBG, Paediatric, Community Health, Mental Health Nursing |
| Type of Questions | Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Approximate Marks | 100 (AIIMS B.Sc); 80 (AIIMS M.Sc); varies for state exams |
| Negative Marking | Yes — typically –1/3 per wrong MCQ in AIIMS exams |
| Medium | English (most exams); state regional languages in select state ANM / GNM tests |
How to Prepare — Step-by-Step Plan
A structured 6 to 12 month plan that balances Science and aptitude is ideal for cracking the leading nursing admission tests. Follow these steps:
- First, read the latest official syllabus for your target exam (AIIMS B.Sc Nursing / PGIMER / state CET, etc.) and map every topic systematically.
- Next, build strong fundamentals from NCERT Class 11 and 12 textbooks — most B.Sc Nursing entrance exams draw heavily from NCERT Biology.
- For PG entrance exams, additionally use BT Basavanthappa’s Nursing Theories, Brunner & Suddarth, Park’s Community Medicine and previous year question papers.
- Make handwritten notes for Anatomy and Physiology, focusing on diagrams, structure-function relationships and clinical correlates.
- Strengthen English grammar, comprehension and vocabulary — daily newspaper reading helps both English and General Knowledge.
- Stay updated on current health news, government schemes (Ayushman Bharat, NHM) and recent medical developments.
- Furthermore, take weekly full-length mock tests on AglaSem Mock Test in CBT mode to build speed and accuracy.
- Finally, in the last month, focus on revision, NCERT line-by-line review and mock-test analysis rather than starting new topics.
Top Nursing Colleges in India
India has over 4500 INC-recognised nursing institutions. Notably, the following are considered among the most prestigious institutions admitting candidates through nursing entrance test scores.
| Institute | Location | Admission Route |
|---|---|---|
| College of Nursing, AIIMS Delhi | New Delhi | AIIMS B.Sc / M.Sc Nursing |
| National Institute of Nursing Education, PGIMER | Chandigarh | PGIMER B.Sc / M.Sc Nursing |
| RAK College of Nursing | Delhi | RAKCON / CUET |
| JIPMER College of Nursing | Puducherry | JIPMER M.Sc Nursing |
| CMC College of Nursing, Vellore | Vellore | CMC Vellore Nursing |
| CMC Ludhiana College of Nursing | Ludhiana | CMC Ludhiana Nursing |
| Armed Forces Medical Services — College of Nursing | Pune | Indian Army MNS (via NEET) |
| NIMHANS — College of Nursing | Bengaluru | NIMHANS Entrance Exam |
| ILBS College of Nursing | Delhi | ILBS M.Sc Nursing |
| RAK College of Nursing / Government College of Nursing, AIIMS Bhopal / Bhubaneswar / Jodhpur / Patna / Raipur / Rishikesh | Various | AIIMS B.Sc Nursing |
Career Scope After Nursing Course
A B.Sc Nursing or M.Sc Nursing degree obtained through any nursing admission test typically opens up roles across hospitals, public health, academia, international healthcare and research. Notably, qualified nurses enjoy global mobility with opportunities in the UK NHS, US, Canada, Australia and the Middle East.
- Hospital nursing — Staff Nurse, Senior Staff Nurse, Nursing Officer, Ward Sister at AIIMS, PGIMER, Apollo, Fortis, Max, Manipal.
- Specialised nursing — Critical Care Nurse, Cardiac Care Nurse, Operation Theatre Nurse, Oncology Nurse, Dialysis Nurse, Neonatal ICU Nurse.
- Public sector — Nursing Officer via UPSC; Staff Nurse via SSC / Railway / state PSC exams; Health Worker at PHC / CHC; Officer in Armed Forces Military Nursing Service (MNS).
- Community & public health — Community Health Nurse, ASHA Trainer, Programme Officer at WHO, UNICEF, state NHM.
- Education & research — Tutor, Lecturer, Professor at nursing colleges; Nurse Researcher; Clinical Nurse Specialist.
- Abroad & international — NCLEX-RN for US / Canada; OSCE / OET / CBT for UK NHS; AHPRA for Australia; HAAD / DHA / Prometric for the Gulf region.
- AIIMS Exams ↗ — conducts AIIMS B.Sc / M.Sc Nursing entrances.
- PGIMER Chandigarh ↗ — conducts PGIMER Nursing tests.
- Indian Nursing Council (INC) ↗ — apex regulator of nursing education in India.
- IGNOU ↗ — conducts OPENNET for Post Basic B.Sc Nursing.
- Respective State Nursing Council / DTE websites for state-level nursing admission.
Nursing Entrance Exam 2026 – FAQs
It refers to the set of national, state and institute-level tests conducted in India for admission to ANM, GNM, B.Sc Nursing, Post Basic B.Sc Nursing, M.Sc Nursing and Ph.D. in Nursing programmes. The most prominent national-level exams are AIIMS B.Sc Nursing, AIIMS M.Sc Nursing, IGNOU OPENNET and Indian Army MNS (through NEET). State CETs and institute tests further broaden the choices.
AIIMS B.Sc Nursing is generally considered the best nursing entrance in India because of the unmatched clinical exposure, stipend-paid training and career opportunities at AIIMS Delhi and other AIIMS campuses. PGIMER B.Sc Nursing, CMC Vellore Nursing and CMC Ludhiana Nursing are equally strong alternatives.
Yes. Male candidates are eligible for B.Sc Nursing, Post Basic B.Sc Nursing, M.Sc Nursing and most GNM programmes. However, the Indian Army Military Nursing Service (MNS) admits only female candidates, and a few state nursing colleges run female-only programmes. Always check the eligibility section of the official notification for each entrance.
GNM (General Nursing & Midwifery) is a 3-year diploma programme awarded by State Nursing Councils, while B.Sc Nursing is a 4-year degree programme awarded by a university or institute. Both qualify candidates as Registered Nurses and Midwives (RN&RM) after State Nursing Council registration, but B.Sc Nursing enables academic progression to M.Sc Nursing and PhD, and is preferred for international career mobility.
Post Basic B.Sc Nursing is a 2-year programme designed for GNM-qualified candidates who wish to upgrade their qualification to a B.Sc degree. The entrance tests include IGNOU OPENNET, PGIMER Post Basic B.Sc Nursing, JKBOPEE Post Basic B.Sc Nursing and various state-level Post Basic CETs. State Nursing Council registration is mandatory before applying.
Yes. The Indian Nursing Council requires a minimum of one year of clinical experience after Registered Nurse & Registered Midwife (RN&RM) registration before applying for M.Sc Nursing at most colleges. AIIMS, PGIMER and CMC follow this rule strictly. The experience must be in a recognised hospital or nursing institution.
Yes. India faces a significant shortage of qualified nurses, and the demand for nursing professionals is growing rapidly both domestically and internationally. Qualified nurses enjoy strong career mobility — opportunities range from hospital practice to public health, education, research and overseas roles in the US (NCLEX-RN), UK NHS, Canada, Australia and the Middle East.
The official website for AIIMS Nursing entrance exams (B.Sc, M.Sc, Post Basic B.Sc) is aiimsexams.ac.in, maintained by AIIMS Delhi on behalf of all AIIMS campuses. PGIMER Nursing notifications are released on pgimer.edu.in. The Indian Nursing Council’s official website is indiannursingcouncil.org. All notifications, application links, admit cards, answer keys and results are released on these official portals.
This page is a comprehensive reference for the nursing entrance exam 2026 ecosystem in India — covering national, state and institute-level admission tests, course options, eligibility, exam pattern, preparation strategy and career outcomes. For real-time notifications, always cross-check with the official AIIMS Exams, PGIMER, INC or respective state nursing council websites linked above.
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