The IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026 is prescribed by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) for the IGNOU OPENNET 2026 (OPENNET-XIV) entrance examination conducted on 29 March 2026 for admission to the 3-year Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing programme (January 2026 session). The IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026 is drawn from the General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) diploma-level curriculum and covers core subjects taught at the GNM level. The IGNOU OPENNET 2026 entrance test comprises 120 MCQs over 2 hours 30 minutes for 120 marks, with each correct answer carrying +1 mark. Candidates can download the IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026 PDF from ignou.ac.in and prepare strategically by understanding topic-wise coverage and previous year question patterns.
Latest: – IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026 PDF is available for reference at ignou.ac.in. The IGNOU OPENNET 2026 exam was conducted on 29 March 2026; result expected May / June 2026.
IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026
What is the IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026?
The IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026 is the official outline of subjects and topics on which the IGNOU OPENNET 2026 (OPENNET-XIV) Entrance Examination is based. The IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026 has been designed to assess candidates’ competence in core nursing subjects at the GNM (General Nursing and Midwifery) diploma level. The IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026 covers fundamental as well as applied areas of nursing, midwifery, and allied medical sciences. Mastering the IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026 is essential for scoring well in the entrance exam and securing admission to IGNOU’s prestigious Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing programme, offered in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode and recognised by the Indian Nursing Council.
IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026 Direct Link – Candidates can download the IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026 PDF and prospectus from the official IGNOU website ignou.ac.in and admission portal ignounursing.samarth.edu.in.
IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026 Exam Pattern
Before going through the IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026 in detail, candidates should be familiar with the exam pattern:
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | OPENNET-XIV (Open Nursing Entrance Test – 14th edition) |
| Mode of Exam | Offline (Pen-paper-based) |
| Duration | 2 hours 30 minutes (150 minutes) |
| Total Questions | 120 MCQs |
| Total Marks | 120 |
| Marking Scheme | +1 mark for each correct answer |
| Medium | English |
| Syllabus Source | GNM (General Nursing and Midwifery) diploma curriculum |
IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026 – Subject-wise Coverage
The IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026 is drawn from the GNM diploma-level curriculum and covers the following major subject areas:
1. Anatomy and Physiology
- Human body systems – Skeletal, Muscular, Nervous, Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Digestive, Excretory, Endocrine, Reproductive
- Cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems
- Body fluids and homeostasis
- Functions of major organs
2. Fundamentals of Nursing
- Concept and definition of nursing
- Nursing process and care planning
- Basic nursing skills and procedures
- Patient hygiene and comfort
- Vital signs monitoring
- Documentation and record-keeping
3. Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Common medical and surgical conditions
- Pre-operative and post-operative care
- Disorders of major organ systems
- Wound care and infection control
- Emergency nursing
- Care of patients with non-communicable diseases (Diabetes, Hypertension, etc.)
4. Maternal and Child Health Nursing (Midwifery)
- Anatomy and physiology of female reproductive system
- Antenatal, natal, and post-natal care
- Normal and abnormal labour
- Care of mother and newborn
- Family planning and contraception
- Common gynaecological disorders
- Pediatric nursing – Growth, development, immunisation
5. Community Health Nursing
- Principles of community health
- National Health Programmes (RMNCH+A, NTEP, NLEP, etc.)
- Primary Health Care
- Health education and counselling
- Environmental sanitation
- Vital statistics and demography
- Communicable and non-communicable disease control
6. Mental Health Nursing
- Concepts of mental health and mental illness
- Common psychiatric disorders
- Therapeutic communication
- Psychotropic medications
- Care of patients with mental illness
- Crisis intervention
7. Microbiology
- Introduction to microorganisms (Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi, Parasites)
- Infection and immunity
- Sterilisation and disinfection
- Common infectious diseases
- Hospital infection control
8. Pharmacology
- Basic principles of pharmacology
- Routes and methods of drug administration
- Common drug classes used in nursing practice
- Antibiotics, analgesics, antihypertensives, antidiabetic drugs
- Drug calculations and dosage
- Adverse drug reactions and management
9. Nutrition and Dietetics
- Basic nutrients – Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats, Vitamins, Minerals
- Balanced diet and meal planning
- Therapeutic diets for various conditions
- Nutrition in pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood
- Common nutritional deficiency disorders
10. First Aid and Bandaging
- Principles and aims of first aid
- First aid for common emergencies (fractures, burns, poisoning, drowning, electric shock)
- CPR and basic life support
- Different types of bandages and their applications
11. Personal Hygiene and Health Education
- Personal hygiene practices
- Mental and emotional health
- Health promotion and disease prevention
- Methods of health teaching
12. Professional Trends and Adjustment
- History and development of nursing in India
- Nursing as a profession – ethics, values, code of conduct
- Indian Nursing Council (INC) and nursing regulations
- Professional organisations (TNAI, etc.)
- Legal aspects of nursing
- Continuing nursing education
How to Download IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026 PDF
Follow these steps to download the IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026 PDF from the official IGNOU website:
- Visit the official IGNOU website at ignou.ac.in or admission portal ignounursing.samarth.edu.in.
- Navigate to the “Programmes” or “Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing” section.
- Look for the “OPENNET 2026 Information Brochure” or “Prospectus” link.
- Download the PDF which contains the IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026 and exam pattern.
- Save the syllabus PDF for offline reference and prepare accordingly.
- Plan your preparation strategy based on the topic-wise weightage in the IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026.
IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026 Preparation Tips
To prepare effectively from the IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026, candidates should follow these strategies:
- Understand the exam pattern and topic distribution in the IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026.
- Create a study plan and allocate time for each subject as per weightage.
- Revise your GNM diploma textbooks thoroughly, especially Anatomy & Physiology, MSN, MCH Nursing, and Community Health.
- Stay updated on current healthcare policies and national health programmes.
- Practice nursing case scenarios and clinical situations.
- Solve IGNOU OPENNET previous year question papers and sample papers (OPENNET I to XIII).
- Refer to standard nursing textbooks for clarification of concepts.
- Take regular mock tests to enhance speed, accuracy, and time management.
- Revise notes regularly to strengthen memory and avoid last-minute panic.
- Focus on weak areas identified through mock tests and sample papers.
IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026 FAQs
The IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026 is based on the GNM (General Nursing and Midwifery) diploma-level curriculum. It covers core nursing subjects including Anatomy and Physiology, Medical-Surgical Nursing, Maternal and Child Health Nursing, Community Health Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Nutrition, First Aid, Fundamentals of Nursing, and Professional Trends.
As per the IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026, the entrance exam consists of 120 MCQs to be attempted in 2 hours 30 minutes for 120 marks. Each correct answer carries +1 mark. The questions are drawn from the GNM diploma syllabus.
Candidates can download the IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026 PDF by visiting the official IGNOU website ignou.ac.in or admission portal ignounursing.samarth.edu.in, navigating to the Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing section, and downloading the Information Brochure / Prospectus which contains the detailed syllabus and exam pattern.
The most important subjects in IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026 include Medical-Surgical Nursing, Maternal and Child Health Nursing (Midwifery), Community Health Nursing, Anatomy and Physiology, Fundamentals of Nursing, and Pharmacology. These typically carry significant weightage in the entrance exam.
The IGNOU OPENNET 2026 entrance exam is conducted in English medium. The IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026 is also available in English, drawn from the GNM diploma-level curriculum.
To prepare from the IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026, candidates should revise their GNM diploma textbooks, focus on Medical-Surgical Nursing, MCH Nursing, and Community Health Nursing, solve previous year question papers (OPENNET I-XIII), refer to standard nursing books, take regular mock tests, and stay updated on national health programmes.
Yes, the IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026 includes a significant portion on Midwifery (Maternal and Child Health Nursing). This covers antenatal, natal, and post-natal care, normal and abnormal labour, gynaecological disorders, family planning, and pediatric nursing.
Quick Links
- IGNOU OPENNET 2026 Main Page
- IGNOU OPENNET Admit Card 2026
- IGNOU OPENNET Answer Key 2026
- IGNOU OPENNET Result 2026
- IGNOU OPENNET Model Question Paper
- IGNOU OPENNET Best Books
IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026 – Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Document Name | IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026 |
| Released By | Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) |
| Programme | Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing (January 2026 Session) |
| Exam Name | OPENNET-XIV |
| Mode of Exam | Offline (Pen-paper-based) |
| Duration | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Total Questions / Marks | 120 / 120 |
| Marking Scheme | +1 per correct answer |
| Syllabus Source | GNM Diploma Curriculum |
| Major Subjects | Anatomy, MSN, MCH Nursing, Community Health, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Nutrition, Mental Health |
| Medium | English |
| Exam Date | 29 March 2026 (Sunday) |
| Result (Tentative) | May / June 2026 |
| Official Website | ignou.ac.in |
| Admission Portal | ignounursing.samarth.edu.in |
If you have any questions about the IGNOU OPENNET Syllabus 2026, please ask in the comments below. And if you found this page useful, please share!
![](https://admission.aglasem.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/300x250-Nurturing-approved-1-2.png")
