Nursing is one of the most reputed and high-on-demand career options in India. The job of a nurse is to assist the doctors, help patients to deal with illness, and maintain the general record of the hospital. Nurses practice in a variety of specializations with a major focus on the care and treatment of patients to improve health and quality of life.
Candidates who want to be a nurse need to have a graduation degree in the field of B.Sc Nursing. After getting a degree in nursing, candidates can pursue their careers as nursing staff, paramedic staff, nursing supervisor, or nursing tutor.
Candidates seeking admission to the best nursing institutes in India have to clear different national or state-level entrance exams. Choosing the best nursing college in India might be the most daunting task for an individual. Therefore, we’ve provided the list of the top 10 best nursing colleges in India to assist the candidates in the best possible way.
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Type of Nursing courses available in India
The different courses are offered in the area of nursing such as BSc (Post-Basic) Nursing, General Nursing & Midwifery, B.Sc Nursing, MSc Nursing, etc. In India, there are generally three types of Nursing programs that are being offered by the various nursing colleges across the country. Details of these courses are as follows:
Degree Nursing Courses: These courses are offered at both the UG level land PG level with a duration of 2-4 years.
Diploma in Nursing: Such courses are offered at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The duration of these courses is normally less than the other regular degree-level courses.
Certified Nursing courses: These courses are available at graduation level and have a duration of around 6 months to 1 year.
Eligibility Criteria for admission to nursing colleges in India
Below, we’ve provided the basic eligibility criteria for nursing admission. Candidates should note that the eligibility criteria may vary depending up on the choice of course, university/institute, and other factors. Nursing admission eligibility criteria, in general, are as follows:
| Course Level | Eligibility Criteria |
| For UG -level courses | Candidates must have passed 12th with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) as mandatory subjects with no less than 50% marks. |
| For PG Level courses | Applicants should have done graduation in the relevant stream of nursing and also must have passed with the required qualifying percentage of marks or grade points (CGPA). |
| For diploma courses | Candidates must clear 12th with minimum qualifying marks from a recognized board. |
| PhD. courses | Candidates must have completed their master’s in the relevant stream with minimum qualifying marks from a recognized university. |
Top 10 Nursing Colleges in India 2024
There are many universities and colleges in India which offers high-quality education in the field of nursing. For admission to such colleges, candidates have to clear the respective entrance exam conducted at the university/ college, state, and national levels. Below, is the list of top nursing colleges in India.
| Name of the Nursing colleges | Location |
| All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) | New Delhi |
| Acharya Institute of Health Science | Bangalore |
| Armed Forces Medical College | Pune |
| PGIMER Chandigarh | Chandigarh |
| Christian Medical College | Vellore, Tamil Nadu |
| Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Research & Education | Pondicherry |
| Jamia Hamdard University | New Delhi |
| Kasturba Medical College (KMC) | Mangalore |
| King George’s Medical University | Lucknow |
| Madras Medical College | Chennai |
Details about the best nursing colleges in India
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
Founded in 1956, the All-Indian Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi (AIIMS, Delhi) is an Institution of National Importance by an Act of Parliament. AIIMS, Delhi is one of the top government nursing colleges in India. It is an independent government-wide group of public colleges under the Indian Ministry for Health and Family Welfare.
AIIMS, Delhi Highlights
| Name | All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) |
| Ownership type | Government |
| Location | New Delhi |
| Recognized by | NMC, MCI |
| Campus | 213 acres |
| Courses offered | Medical and Paramedical courses at UG, PG Doctoral level |
| Entrance exam | NEET UG and NEET PG/INI-CET |
| B.Sc Nursing Fee | Rs 2400/- |
Acharya Institute of Health Science
Founded in 1997, Acharya Institute of Health Science is one of the best nursing colleges in Bangalore. The college offers various medical courses such as UG Diploma, B.Sc., BPT, M.Sc., MHA, MPT, and Medicine and Health Sciences, Nursing courses.
Acharya Institute of Health Science Highlights
| Name | Acharya Institute of Health Science (AIHS) |
| Ownership type | Private |
| Location | Bangalore |
| Recognized by | INC |
| Campus | 100 acres |
| Courses offered | UG, PG level courses |
| Entrance exam | Karnataka 2nd PUC, CBSE 12thth marks |
| B.Sc nursing Fee | Around Rs 2 lakh-2.9 lakh |
Armed Forces Medical College, Pune
Established in 1948, Armed Forces Medical College is accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with a grade-A. It offers admission at various levels including undergraduate, postgraduate, postgraduate diploma, and doctorate.
Armed Forces Medical College Highlights
| Namea | Armed Forces Medical College |
| Institute type | Affiliated college |
| Location | Pune |
| Recognized by | NAAC with A grade, MCI |
| Campus | 119 acres |
| Courses offered | UG, PG, and PG diploma courses |
| Entrance exam | NEET |
| B.Sc nursing Fee | Around Rs 80, 000 |
PGIMER Chandigarh
Founded in 1962, the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Chandigarh also known as PGIMER Chandigarh is a UGC-recognized institute. The institute offers over 40 super specialty courses, 24 postgraduate courses, and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs in all medical and non-medical disciplines.
PGIMER Chandigarh Highlights
| Name | PGIMER Chandigarh |
| Institute type | Public |
| Location | Chandigarh |
| Recognized by | INC, MCI |
| Campus | 277 acres |
| Courses offered | UG, PG, and PG diploma courses |
| Entrance exam | INI CET |
| B.Sc nursing Fee | Average Rs 1800/- |
Christian Medical College, Vellore
Founded in 1900, Christian Medical College (also known as CMC, Vellore) is an autonomous private college in Vellore. It is one of the top nursing colleges in Tamil Nadu. The college offers various courses at UG, PG, Diploma, and Doctoral level courses.
CMC Vellore Highlights
| Name | Christian Medical College (CMC, Vellore) |
| Institute type | Private |
| Location | Vellore, Tamil Nadu |
| Recognized by | MCI, Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University |
| Campus | 200 acres |
| Courses offered | UG, PG, PG diploma, and doctoral courses |
| Entrance exam | NEET, NEET PG, NEET SS |
| B.Sc nursing Fee | Average Rs 1339/- |
Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Research & Education
The Jawaharlal Medical Education & Research Institute (also known as JIPMER) is a well-known medical university in Pondicherry. Founded in 1823, JIPMER Pondicherry offers admission to UG, PG, & doctoral programmes in the area of medicine & allied sciences.
JIPMER Highlights
| Name | Jawaharlal Medical Education & Research Institute (JIPMER) |
| Institute type | Public |
| Location | Pondicherry, Puducherry |
| Recognized by | NMC, INC |
| Campus | 192 acres |
| Courses offered | UG, PG, and doctoral courses |
| Entrance exam | NEET |
| B.Sc nursing Fee | Average Rs 4800/- |
Jamia Hamdard University
Founded in 1989, Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi, is deemed a university accredited by NAAC with an ”A’ grade. The university offers admission to undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Diploma courses in different steams. The university accepts NEET UG, NEET-PG, and NEET MDS scores for admission to various medical courses.
| Name | Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi |
| Institute type | Public |
| Location | New Delhi |
| Recognized by | UGC, the Ministry of HRD, Government of India, MCI, CCIM, INC, AICTE, PCI |
| Campus | 100 acres |
| Courses offered | UG, PG, and doctoral courses |
| Entrance exam | NEET |
| B.Sc nursing Fee | Average Rs 4,87,999/- |
Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Mangalore
Founded in 1955, Kasturba Medical College (KMC) is one of the top nursing colleges in Karnataka. The college is recognized by the Medical Council of India and offers various UG, PG, & fellowship courses in different streams.
Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Highlights
| Name | Kasturba Medical College (KMC) |
| Institute type | Private |
| Location | Mangalore |
| Recognized by | MCI |
| Campus | 30.78 acres |
| Courses offered | Undergraduate, postgraduate, and fellowship program |
| Entrance exam | NEET UG |
| M.Sc nursing Fee | Average Rs 20,31,167/- |
King George’s Medical University
Founded in 1905, King George’s Medical University is a well-known medical school, hospital, and university in Lucknow. The university offers various diplomas, and undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes in medical and allied sciences streams.
King George’s Medical University, Highlights
| Name | King George’s Medical University |
| Institute type | State University |
| Location | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh |
| Recognized by | UGC, NMC, DCI, INC |
| Campus | 24.71 acres |
| Courses offered | Undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral courses |
| Entrance exam | NEET UG, NEET PG, NEET MDS |
| B.Sc nursing Fee | Average Rs 48,000 |
Madras Medical College
Founded in 1835, the university offers UG, PG, PG diplomas, and PG super-specialty courses across various medical streams.
Madras Medical College Highlights
| Name | Madras Medical College |
| Institute type | Affiliated college |
| Location | Chennai |
| Recognized by | NMC, MCI |
| Campus | 24.71 acres |
| Courses offered | Undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral courses |
| Entrance exam | NEET |
FAQs
No, NEET is not mandatory for admission to all top nursing institutes in India.
Some of the highly popular nursing medical colleges in India are AIIMS Delhi, Acharya Institute of Health Science, Christian Medical College, PGIMER Chandigarh, Armed Forces Medical College, etc.
Candidates seeking admission to nursing colleges should have basic skills like time management, cultural awareness, compassion, attention to detail, teamwork spirit, professionalism, sympathy, etc.
The top nursing entrance exam includes Indian JIPMER Nursing, Army BSc Nursing, AIIMS Nursing, AFMC Nursing Exam, etc.
The highest-paying post at BSC Nursing is Male Staff Nurse, who earns around 3.9 LPA.
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