The BSc Nursing course is a 4 year degree that trains you to care for patients in hospitals, health centres and communities. It is the main entry into nursing jobs in India and abroad. If you passed 12th with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English, you can apply. On this page I explain eligibility, duration, the subjects you study each year, entrance exams, fee ranges, salary, and how it compares with GNM and ANM.
What is the BSc Nursing course
The B Sc Nursing course is a degree approved by the Indian Nursing Council (INC) and taught in nursing colleges attached to hospitals. You learn science subjects in the classroom and patient care on the ward from the first year. At the end you register with your State Nursing Council as a Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife. Only then can you work as a staff nurse.
Many parents ask me if nursing is only for girls. It is not. Boys join every year and work in ICUs, emergency wards, operation theatres and dialysis units. The work is demanding but steady, and trained nurses are needed in every district.
Nursing course options: BSc Nursing, GNM and ANM
There are three common nursing course routes after 12th. Here is how they differ.
| Course | Duration | Who can join | Work after |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSc Nursing (degree) | 4 years, including internship in the final year | 12th with PCB and English | Staff nurse, nursing officer, higher study |
| GNM nursing course (diploma) | 3 years under the current INC syllabus | 12th with English; science preferred, check state rules | Staff nurse in many hospitals |
| ANM course (diploma) | 2 years | 12th pass; stream rules vary by state | ANM at sub centres and primary health centres |
The INC has been moving towards the degree as the standard entry for nurses, and some states have cut GNM seats. Before you take GNM admission, check the latest notice on the INC website and your state nursing council site.
GNM course details
The GNM course duration is 3 years. You study general nursing, midwifery, community health and mental health, with hospital duty. GNM course fee is lower than the degree in most places. In government schools of nursing it can be quite low, while private schools charge much more. After GNM you can do Post Basic BSc Nursing (2 years) to get a degree.
GNM course details in Hindi, short mein: GNM ek 3 saal ka nursing diploma hai. 12th pass ke baad admission hota hai. Iske baad aap staff nurse ban sakte hain aur baad mein Post Basic BSc Nursing kar sakte hain.
ANM course details
ANM (Auxiliary Nurse Midwife) is a 2 year course focused on mother and child health, vaccination and village health work. ANM course details in Hindi: ANM 2 saal ka course hai. Isme gaon aur PHC level par maa aur bachche ki dekhbhal, tika aur pariwar kalyan ka kaam sikhaya jata hai.
BSc Nursing course eligibility
- 12th pass with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English, from a recognised board.
- Minimum marks set by INC: usually 45% in PCB for general category, with lower marks for reserved categories. Your state may ask for more.
- Minimum age of 17 years on 31 December of the admission year. Check whether your state or institute also has an upper age limit.
- Medically fit, as per the college rules.
Rules are revised from time to time, so read the INC regulations and the college prospectus before you apply.
BSc Nursing entrance exam
There is no single national test for all colleges. Admission comes through one of these routes:
- State entrance exams: many states run their own nursing CET or use the state health university test. For example, Rajasthan students look for the RUHS BSc Nursing entrance exam.
- AIIMS: the AIIMS institutes run their own BSc Nursing (Hons) entrance on aiimsexams.ac.in.
- NEET (UG) scores: some states, central institutes and the armed forces nursing course use NEET marks. See our NEET UG page.
- Merit: some private colleges admit on 12th marks where the state allows it.
The BSc Nursing entrance exam syllabus is usually class 11 and 12 Physics, Chemistry and Biology, plus English and sometimes general knowledge. Check the exact pattern in the bulletin of the exam you take.
BSc Nursing course duration and subjects by year
The BSc Nursing course duration is 4 years, organised in semesters under the newer INC syllabus. The final part is a supervised internship in a hospital.
| Year | Main subjects |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | Anatomy, physiology, nutrition, biochemistry, nursing foundations, communication and English |
| Year 2 | Microbiology, pharmacology, pathology, adult health (medical surgical) nursing, community health basics |
| Year 3 | Child health nursing, mental health nursing, adult health continued, nursing research basics |
| Year 4 | Midwifery and obstetric nursing, community health nursing, nursing management, internship |
Ward duty starts early. Expect long days, night posting during training, and record writing. Students who are patient and good with people do well.
BSc Nursing course fee: government vs private
Nursing course fees vary a lot by state and type of college.
- Government nursing colleges: the cheapest option. Yearly fees are often in the range of a few thousand rupees to around ₹50,000, and some states give stipends or free hostel.
- Private colleges: often ₹60,000 to ₹2 lakh or more per year, plus hostel and uniform.
Government colleges cost much less than private ones, so prepare well for the entrance. Ask about scholarships for SC, ST, OBC and minority students on your state scholarship portal.
Nursing jobs and BSc Nursing salary
After registration you can apply for staff nurse posts in hospitals, nursing homes, health centres, schools, industries and home care. Government nursing jobs come through central hospitals, railways, ESIC, state health departments and the AIIMS nursing officer exam. Read our nursing officer page for that route.
| Where you work | Typical pay picture |
|---|---|
| Small private hospital or nursing home | Roughly ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 per month for freshers |
| Large city private hospital | Roughly ₹20,000 to ₹35,000 per month for freshers, more with ICU or OT skills |
| Central government (AIIMS and similar) | Nursing officer posts are usually at Pay Level 7, starting basic ₹44,900 plus allowances |
| State government | Each state has its own staff nurse scale; check the notification |
So, BSc Nursing salary per month in a government hospital is clearly higher than at a fresher private job, which is why so many nurses prepare for sarkari bharti. After 5 to 8 years, senior nurses, nurse in charge and ward sisters earn much more. Use our salary calculator to see in-hand pay for a Level 7 post.
GNM nursing salary and ANM nursing salary at the start are usually lower than for degree holders in private hospitals. In government, ANM pay depends on the state scale; for example, ANM salary in Bihar is set by the Bihar health department notification.
After BSc Nursing which course is best
- MSc Nursing (2 years): for teaching and specialist roles. MSc Nursing salary is higher in colleges and senior hospital posts.
- Nurse Practitioner and specialty courses: critical care, oncology, cardiac nursing and more.
- Hospital administration or public health: for management roles.
- Work abroad: needs the licensing exam and English test of that country.
Also compare paramedical courses, pharmacy courses and physiotherapy, and see the full list on medical courses after 12th. Girls can also read government jobs for women.
Questions students ask
What is the BSc Nursing course duration?
It is 4 years, including a supervised internship in the final year. Post Basic BSc Nursing for GNM holders takes 2 years. MSc Nursing after the degree takes another 2 years.
What is the GNM course duration and fee?
GNM is a 3 year diploma under the current INC syllabus. Fees are low in government schools of nursing and much higher in private ones. Check whether your state still admits students to GNM before you apply.
Is NEET needed for BSc Nursing?
Not everywhere. Some states, central institutes and the armed forces nursing course use NEET scores, while others hold their own BSc Nursing entrance exam or admit on merit. Read your state admission notice.
What is the nurse salary in India?
Private freshers usually earn about ₹15,000 to ₹35,000 a month depending on city and hospital size. Central government nursing officers start at Pay Level 7 with basic pay of ₹44,900 plus DA, HRA and other allowances.
What is the AIIMS nurse salary?
AIIMS nursing officer posts are generally at Pay Level 7 of the 7th CPC matrix. Basic pay starts at ₹44,900, and DA, HRA and transport allowance are added. Check the post level in the latest recruitment notice.
Which is better, GNM or BSc Nursing?
BSc Nursing is the better long term choice. It is a degree, it opens MSc, teaching and most nursing officer posts, and many employers now prefer it. GNM is shorter but has fewer growth options.
Sources and official websites
Facts on this page were checked against these official sources. Rules change with each notification, so always read the latest one before you apply.
- Indian Nursing Council
- AIIMS examinations portal
- NEET (UG), National Testing Agency
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Last checked on 11 October. Spot an error? Tell us on the contact page.