HEALTH
Nurse
Caring for patients day to day — needed in every hospital, in India and abroad.
Facts checked 17/10/2026
- Class 11–12 subjects
- Class 12 science with at least 45% in Physics, Chemistry and Biology together (40% SC/ST/OBC) and a pass in English. Age 17 to 35 on 31 December. Married candidates can apply.
- First degree
- B.Sc Nursing, 4 years including internship. Or GNM diploma (3 years), then Post-Basic B.Sc.
- Entrance exams
- University or state entrance tests. NEET UG scores are also used for some B.Sc Nursing seats, and NEET is required for Military Nursing Service.
- Licence or registration
- Registration as a Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife (RN RM) with the State Nursing Council.
What the work is like
Patient care in wards, ICUs and operating theatres; community health; teaching; many nurses work abroad.
Professional qualificationRun by Indian Nursing Council (INC) and State Nursing Councils. You can start after: Class 12 with PCB. Minimum time: 4 years after Class 12.
The full route: exams, training, registration
- Step 1 · Class 12Science with 45% in PCB together, and English.
- Step 2 · 4 yearsB.Sc Nursing at an INC-recognised college; the 8th semester is a 22-week internship.
- Step 3Register as RN RM with your State Nursing Council (renewed every 5 years); you are added to INC's national register.
- OptionalM.Sc Nursing (needs RN RM registration), or exams and registration for work abroad.
Good to know
- India has no national nursing licence exam yet.
- Check INC recognition of the college for your year of joining.
About pay: it varies a lot by city, employer and skill, and changes year to year, so we don't print salary numbers. Ask us in a session and we'll show you current, sourced figures for your case.
Sources: Indian Nursing Council · INC B.Sc Nursing Regulations 2020 (Gazette) · NEET UG 2026 information bulletin (NTA)
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