Nursing Exams in India 2026: Your Complete Guide to BSc Nursing Entrance Exams and Government Jobs

If you're planning to pursue a career in nursing, 2026 offers a wide range of opportunities through various BSc Nursing entrance exams and recruitment tests. Whether you're preparing for a national-level BSc Nursing admission test or a state-specific entrance exam for BSc Nursing, this guide consolidates all major nursing exams in India to help you plan strategically and succeed.

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Category 1: BSc Nursing Entrance Exams (For Admission)

National-Level and Premier Institution Exams

These are the most competitive BSc Nursing entrance tests in India, offering admission to top-tier institutions.

Exam	Seats	Key Dates	Highlights
AIIMS BSc Nursing Entrance Exam	500+	Jun 1 (Hons), Jun 21 (Post Basic)	CBT format, negative marking
JIPMER BSc Nursing Admission Test	75 (BSc), 25 (MSc)	May 4 (via NEET), Jul 27 (MSc)	NEET-based UG admission
PGIMER BSc Nursing Entrance Test	155	Jul 27	CBT, age limit 17–25 (UG)
AFMC/MNS BSc Nursing Entrance Exam	220	May 4 (via NEET)	Military pathway, multi-stage screening
NEET UG	Varies	May 4	Centralized entrance exam for BSc Nursing and medical courses

NEET UG is increasingly being used as a qualifying exam for BSc Nursing admission in premier institutions such as JIPMER, BHU, AFMC, and NEIGRIHMS.

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University/Institution-Specific BSc Nursing Admission Tests

These entrance exams for BSc Nursing vary by institution and may include NEET scores, institutional tests, or state CETs.

Institution	Seats	Admission Mode	Key Dates
BHU BSc Nursing Entrance Exam	75	NEET UG	Counselling in July
CMC Vellore BSc Nursing Admission Test	50	AP EAPCET	Counselling in August
CMC Ludhiana BSc Nursing Entrance Test	25	Own CBT	Exam: Jun 26
Jamia Hamdard BSc Nursing Admission	70	NEET + Interview	July counselling
KGMU BSc Nursing Admission (via UP CNET)	110	UP CNET	Exam: May 21
IGNOU Post Basic BSc Nursing Entrance Exam	320	Own Test	Dates TBA
HPU BSc Nursing Entrance Test	120	Own Test	Exam: Jun 11
BFUHS BSc Nursing Admission Test (PPMET)	60	Own Test	Exam: June

Some programs, such as HPU Nursing, are exclusively for female candidates and may require state domicile.

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State-Level BSc Nursing Entrance Exams

State CETs are essential for BSc Nursing admission in government and private colleges within each state.

State	Exam	Seats	Date
Uttarakhand	UBTER/HNBUMU BSc Nursing Entrance Exam	200+	June
Karnataka	KCET BSc Nursing Admission Test	500+	Apr 16–17
Maharashtra	MHT CET BSc Nursing Entrance Exam	600+	Apr 9–17
Chhattisgarh	CG Vyapam BSc Nursing Entrance Test	200+	May 29
Uttar Pradesh	UP CNET BSc Nursing Admission Test	800+	May 21
Bihar	BCECE BSc Nursing Entrance Exam	6360	Jun 8–9
Jharkhand	JCECE BSc Nursing Entrance Test	200+	Jul 26
West Bengal	JENPAS UG BSc Nursing Admission Test	500+	July
Assam	SSUHS BSc Nursing Entrance Exam	150+	Jun 22
Rajasthan	RUHS CUET BSc Nursing Entrance Test	400+	May 27
Meghalaya	NEIGRIHMS BSc Nursing Admission	50	May 4 (via NEET)
Odisha	SVNIRTAR CET BSc Nursing Entrance Exam	100+	July-Aug counselling

Many of these entrance exams for BSc Nursing require candidates to be permanent residents of the respective states.

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Category 2: Nursing Recruitment Exams (For Government Jobs)

National-Level Nursing Job Exams

These exams offer opportunities for Nursing Officer and Staff Nurse roles in central government institutions.

Exam	Vacancies	Date
AIIMS NORCET	3700	Sep 14 (Prelims), Sep 27 (Mains)
RRB Staff Nurse Exam	272	To be announced
ESIC Nursing Officer Exam	573	Feb 26
DSSSB Nursing Officer Exam	1000+	Aug (Tentative)
JIPMER Nursing Officer (via NORCET)	446	Sep 14
SSC Staff Nurse Exam	1000+	Nov (Tentative)
NVS School Nurse Exam	121	May 14–19
NIMHANS Staff Nurse Exam	100+	Aug (Tentative)

NORCET is now the central recruitment exam for Nursing Officer posts across AIIMS and JIPMER.

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State-Level Nursing Recruitment Exams

State governments conduct frequent recruitment drives for nursing roles, often with large vacancy numbers.

State	Vacancies	Key Recruiters
Uttar Pradesh	15,000+	NHM, UPSSSC, UPPSC, SGPGI, UBTER
Rajasthan	1941	NHM (RSMSSB)
Madhya Pradesh	2634	NHM MP
West Bengal	5018	NHM WB
Odisha	5248 (MO), 1500+ (Staff Nurse)	OPSC, OSSSC
Bihar	11389	BTSC
Haryana	500+	HSSC
Jammu & Kashmir	621	JKSSB
Telangana	1000+	TSPSC/MHSRB
Chandigarh	424	GMCH

Each state has its own eligibility criteria, application process, and exam format. Domicile and registration with state nursing councils are often required.

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Preparation Tips for BSc Nursing Entrance Exams and Recruitment Tests

• Start early and build a structured study plan.
• Master core subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English, and Nursing Aptitude.
• Practice MCQs and Previous Year Questions regularly.
• Take full-length mock tests to simulate exam conditions.
• Stay updated with official notifications and changes in exam schedules.

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NPrep: Your Partner in Nursing Exam Preparation

NPrep – Transforming Nursing Education empowers nursing aspirants with accessible, high-quality preparation for BSc & MSc Nursing entrance exams and government job recruitments like NORCET, RRB, CHO, ESIC, DSSSB, and KGMU.

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What NPrep Offers

• Expert-led lectures by AIIMS alumni and senior faculty
• 15,000–20,000+ MCQs with detailed explanations
• PYQ analysis, especially for NORCET
• Daily mock tests simulating real exam conditions
• Clinical scenario integration for practical readiness
• **24/7 expert support through helpline no, 6377639169

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Popular Course Plans

Plan	Features	Ideal For
Gold Batch (Link to gold batch)(CTA)	900+ hrs theory, 100 hrs revision, 15,000+ QBank, PYQs, test series	Long-term, full-syllabus preparation
Rapid Revision(Link to rapid revision)(CTA)	100 hrs syllabus, 18,000+ QBank, PYQs, free book	Last-minute, high-yield topic focus
Test Series (Link to test series)(CTA)	20,000+ questions, PYQs, IBQs, clinical scenarios, mocks	Practice-focused prep for recruitment exams

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Proven Results

• 60%+ student success rate in top exams like NORCET, ESIC, DSSSB, RRB
• 10,000+ placements in government nursing jobs
• 30,000+ students mentored across India

NPrep’s structured, tech-enabled approach makes it a trusted companion for nursing exam success.

Q&A: Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is NEET mandatory for BSc Nursing admission in India? Not universally. While premier institutions like AIIMS, JIPMER, BHU, and AFMC require NEET scores, many state-level and private colleges conduct their own BSc Nursing entrance exams.

Q2. Which is the toughest BSc Nursing entrance exam? AIIMS and AFMC/MNS are considered among the toughest due to limited seats and high competition.

Q3. What is the age limit for BSc Nursing admission? Typically, candidates must be at least 17 years old. Upper age limits vary between 25 and 35 depending on the program and institution.

Q4. What qualifications are needed for nursing recruitment exams? Most require a BSc Nursing or GNM diploma, along with registration with a State Nursing Council or the Indian Nursing Council.

Q5. How can I prepare effectively for BSc Nursing entrance exams? Combine theory mastery with MCQ practice, PYQ analysis, and mock tests. Platforms like NPrep offer structured courses tailored to exams like NORCET, RRB, and state-level recruitments.

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Final Thoughts

2026 is a pivotal year for nursing aspirants in India. With a wide range of BSc Nursing entrance exams and recruitment tests, success depends on strategic planning, consistent preparation, and staying informed. Whether you're aiming for academic excellence or a government job, the right approach can help you achieve your goals.

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