PGIMER Nursing Officer Exam Pattern 2026: CBT Structure, Marking & Syllabus Explained

Selection for PGIMER Nursing Officer 2026 is through a single-stage Computer Based Test (CBT) - no interview. The CBT has 100 MCQs worth 100 marks in 100 minutes, with 0.25 negative marking per wrong answer. Minimum qualifying marks are 40% (General/EWS) and 35% (SC/ST/OBC). Shortlisting for document verification follows a 3× post ratio, and the syllabus is based on your nursing qualification/experience rather than a separate fixed syllabus.

If you've registered - or are planning to register - for the PGIMER Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026 (243 Group 'B' posts, Advt. No. PGI/RC/055/2026/2276), understanding the exact exam pattern is your first step toward a focused preparation strategy. PGIMER has laid out the full selection process in its detailed guidelines, and this post breaks it down clearly.

Read the full PGIMER Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026 overview

PGIMER Nursing Officer Selection Process: Overview

There is only one stage in this recruitment - the Computer Based Test (CBT). For Group 'B' (Non-Gazetted) posts, the Government of India has done away with interviews entirely, so your CBT score is the sole basis for merit.

The selection journey looks like this:

1. Computer Based Test (CBT)
2. Shortlisting of candidates based on CBT scores
3. Scrutiny of application & documents of shortlisted candidates
4. Provisional result (selected/waitlisted)
5. Document verification
6. Final selection on merit

PGIMER Nursing Officer CBT Pattern 2026

Here's the exact structure of the Computer Based Test as per the official guidelines:

Component	Details
Post	Group 'B' (Nursing Officer)
Number of MCQs	100
Duration	100 minutes
Marks per question	1 mark
Total Marks	100
Negative Marking	0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer
Medium of Exam	English only
Mode	Online, objective-type MCQs

The test will be conducted on an all-India basis at multiple examination cities, and candidates choose their preferred city while filling the online application form.

Minimum Qualifying Marks

Clearing the CBT isn't just about attempting all 100 questions - you need to cross the minimum qualifying percentage for your category:

• General / EWS category: 40% marks
• SC / ST / OBC category: 35% marks
• PwBD candidates: Minimum qualifying marks as prescribed for their respective caste category (General/SC/ST/OBC)
• Reserved category candidates applying against Unreserved (UR) posts: 40% marks (same as General)

How Shortlisting Works After the CBT

PGIMER doesn't call every candidate who clears the qualifying marks for document verification. Instead, shortlisting follows this formula:

Number of candidates shortlisted = 3 × Number of posts advertised + ties (plus reserved-category candidates scoring above the UR cut-off)

In simple terms, for every single advertised post, roughly three candidates (plus any tied scores) move forward to the scrutiny and document verification stage. The CBT shortlisting result is typically uploaded on www.pgimer.edu.in within about 15 days of the exam.

PGIMER Nursing Officer Syllabus 2026

There's no separate, fixed syllabus document - instead, PGIMER states that:

The CBT syllabus will be based on the prescribed educational qualification, professional course, and experience relevant to the Nursing Officer post, and may include questions on topics candidates have studied or practiced during their qualifying course.

In practice, this means aspirants should revise:

• Core B.Sc. Nursing / GNM subjects (Fundamentals of Nursing, Medical-Surgical Nursing, Community Health Nursing, Obstetrics & Gynaecological Nursing, Paediatric Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing)
• Nursing research and biostatistics basics
• General knowledge and current affairs relevant to the healthcare sector
• General English comprehension, as the exam is conducted in English only

How Tie Cases Are Resolved in PGIMER Nursing Officer Recruitment

If two or more candidates score the exact same aggregate marks, PGIMER breaks the tie using this sequence:

1. Fewer wrong answers/negative marks in the CBT ranks higher
2. If still tied, the candidate with the earlier date of birth ranks higher
3. If still tied, higher aggregate percentage in 10+2 ranks higher
4. If still tied, higher aggregate percentage in Matric/10th ranks higher

Examination Cities for PGIMER Nursing Officer 2026

Candidates can choose their preferred examination city at the time of applying. Allotment is on a first-come-first-serve basis, subject to availability, and cannot be changed later. Some of the 29 likely exam cities include:

• Chandigarh/Mohali, Delhi/NCR, Ambala, Amritsar, Patiala
• Kanpur, Lucknow, Agra, Dehradun, Roorkee
• Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Bhopal, Nagpur, Ahmedabad
• Jammu, Kangra, Hamirpur, Kullu, Palampur, Una, Bilaspur
• Patna, Kolkata, Guwahati

Since city allotment is first-come-first-serve, applying early improves your chances of getting your preferred exam location.

What to Carry (and NOT Carry) to the Exam Hall

PGIMER's guidelines are strict about exam-hall items. Candidates are not permitted to bring:

• Water bottles, mobile phones, or any electronic device
• Car keys (remote), watches, rings, chains, or other jewellery
• Wallets, purses, or pens

Only the Admit Card/Hall Ticket and valid photo ID are required. Entry is denied without the admit card, and the exam venue is under CCTV/biometric surveillance.

Your Edge: Strategic Preparation with NPrep

If you’re serious about cracking PGIMER Nursing Officer Recruitment 2026, you need a platform that understands nursing exams-not generic content.

With NPrep, you get:

• Nursing-specific mock tests
• Exam-level MCQs
• Detailed explanations
• Performance analytics
• Daily practice schedules

Thousands of aspirants are already using structured platforms to stay ahead. You should too.