IGNOU OPENNET previous year question papers for 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025 are free to download here, the entrance test for IGNOU’s Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing, with IGNOU’s official answer keys for 2025 and 2026. Each test has 120 one-mark questions from the GNM syllabus in 2 hours 30 minutes, with no negative marking, so the complete 2025 booklet and its key are the best match for the test expected in March 2027.
IGNOU OPENNET Previous Year Question Papers
Pick a year to open its OPENNET booklet; the 2025 page has the paper and key together, and the 2026 page has the key only.
Newest papersIGNOU OPENNET 2026 Question Paper
View 2026 papersAnswer key only
IGNOU OPENNET Question Papers by Year
| Year | Papers | Answer key | Pattern that year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IGNOU OPENNET 2026 | Answer key only | Yes | View papers | |
| IGNOU OPENNET 2025 | 1 paper | Yes | 120 Q · 120 marks · 150 min | View papers |
| IGNOU OPENNET 2023 | 1 paper | Not available | 120 Q · 120 marks · 150 min | View papers |
| IGNOU OPENNET 2022 | 1 paper (memory-based) | Not available | View papers | |
| IGNOU OPENNET 2021 | 1 paper | Not available | View papers | |
| IGNOU OPENNET 2019 | 1 paper | Not available | View papers | |
| IGNOU OPENNET 2017 | 1 paper | Not available | 120 Q · 120 marks · 150 min | View papers |
IGNOU OPENNET Paper at a Glance
| Questions | 120 multiple-choice questions in sections A to H, options (a) to (d) |
|---|---|
| Marks and time | 120 marks (1 mark per question) in 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Marking | No negative marking (2025 booklet instructions) |
| Syllabus | Subjects taught in the GNM diploma, as per the Indian Nursing Council syllabus |
| Mode and medium | Offline OMR test; the 2025 paper is in English |
| Papers on this page | 2017, 2019 (Q1–60 only), 2021, 2022 (memory-based), 2023 (to Q116) and 2025; official keys for 2025 and 2026 |
| Next exam | IGNOU OPENNET 2027: March 2027 (expected). Application: February 2027 (expected) |
How to Use IGNOU OPENNET Previous Year Papers?
- Give each paper 150 minutes. 120 questions in 2 hours 30 minutes is 75 seconds a question, so most nurses finish early. Use the spare time to recheck the questions you marked.
- Answer every question. OPENNET has no negative marking, so a blank OMR bubble can only cost you. Make your best choice even when you are unsure.
- Start with the 2025 OPENNET-XIII booklet, because it is complete and IGNOU’s key lets you score it exactly. Some questions in that key accept more than one option, so mark those as correct either way.
- Use older papers for topic practice. The 2017, 2021 and 2023 booklets are scans of the real test. The 2022 paper is rebuilt from memory and 2019 has only the first 60 questions, so check answers from your GNM textbooks.
- Plan for March 2027. About five months remain. One paper every two weeks covers all six papers before the test, alongside your hospital duty.
IGNOU OPENNET Previous Year Question Papers FAQs
How many questions are there in the IGNOU OPENNET paper?
120 multiple-choice questions of 1 mark each, for 120 marks in 2 hours 30 minutes. The questions come from the GNM syllabus.
Is there negative marking in IGNOU OPENNET?
No. The 2025 booklet instructions do not deduct marks for wrong answers, so you should attempt all 120 questions.
Which OPENNET papers have answer keys?
IGNOU’s official key is here for 2025 (OPENNET-XIII, held on 16 March 2025) and for 2026. The 2017 to 2023 papers have no key.
Is the IGNOU OPENNET 2026 question paper available?
Not yet. The 2026 page has only the answer key for the test held on 29 March 2026.
Are all the OPENNET papers complete?
The 2017, 2021 and 2025 papers have all 120 questions. The 2023 scan stops at question 116, the 2019 paper has questions 1 to 60, and the 2022 paper is memory-based.
In which language is the OPENNET paper?
The 2025 paper is in English. The Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing programme is also taught in English.
When is IGNOU OPENNET 2027?
IGNOU OPENNET 2027: March 2027 (expected). Application: February 2027 (expected). See the IGNOU OPENNET 2027 page for every date.