How to become a Nurse in India
नर्स
Care for patients round the clock, give treatment, monitor recovery and support doctors and families.
- Streams
- Science (PCB)
- Time it takes
- 4 years after Class 12 for B.Sc Nursing
- Key exams
- NEET, AIIMS B.Sc
What you actually do
- Monitor vital signs and give medicines and injections as prescribed
- Assist in procedures, operation theatres and emergencies
- Educate patients and families about care after discharge
A day in the life
A handover from the previous shift, rounds to check every patient, giving medicines on schedule, assisting a doctor with a procedure, updating charts and handing over to the next shift.
The path, step by step
- Class 9–10: science and good communication skillsabout 2 yr
- Class 11–12: Science with PCB and Englishabout 2 yr
- Entrance: NEET (UG) at some institutes and states, or the institute/state nursing entrance test (e.g. AIIMS B.Sc Nursing)about 6 mo
- B.Sc Nursing (4 years including clinical training); register with the State Nursing Councilabout 4 yr
- Optional: prepare for government staff nurse / Nursing Officer recruitment examsabout 6 mo
- First job: Staff Nurse / Nursing Officer in a government or private hospitalabout 1 yr
Entrance and recruitment exams
| Exam | Conducted by | How often |
|---|---|---|
| NEET (UG) | National Testing Agency (NTA) | Once a year (usually May) |
| AIIMS B.Sc (Hons) Nursing and Nursing Officer recruitment (NORCET) | AIIMS New Delhi | Once a year for admission; NORCET as notified |
Exam dates, eligibility and patterns change every cycle. Always read the latest notice on the official website before you apply.
Cost and pay
Government / public route
Government nursing colleges: roughly ₹5,000 to ₹50,000 per year in tuition
Private route
Private nursing colleges: roughly ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakh per year in tuition
Approximate. Fees change every year and differ by state, institute and category (fee waivers and scholarships may apply). Always check the official fee notice.
Salary
In central government hospitals such as AIIMS, the Nursing Officer post is at Level 7 of the 7th CPC pay matrix. Private hospital pay varies widely by city and hospital; check recruitment notices.
Skills that matter
Is this for me?
Good fit if…
- You want hands-on caring work
- You can handle shifts, including nights
- You stay steady in emergencies
Maybe not, if…
- You dislike physical, on-your-feet work
- You find blood, wounds or death very hard to cope with
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Common questions
How do I become a Nurse in India?
1. Class 9–10: science and good communication skills 2. Class 11–12: Science with PCB and English 3. Entrance: NEET (UG) at some institutes and states, or the institute/state nursing entrance test (e.g. AIIMS B.Sc Nursing) 4. B.Sc Nursing (4 years including clinical training); register with the State Nursing Council 5. Optional: prepare for government staff nurse / Nursing Officer recruitment exams 6. First job: Staff Nurse / Nursing Officer in a government or private hospital
Which entrance exams lead to a career as a Nurse?
NEET (UG) (National Testing Agency (NTA)); AIIMS B.Sc (Hons) Nursing and Nursing Officer recruitment (NORCET) (AIIMS New Delhi). Check each official website for current dates and eligibility.
Which stream should I choose after Class 10 to become a Nurse?
Science (PCB).
How long does it take to become a Nurse?
4 years after Class 12 for B.Sc Nursing
How much does it cost to become a Nurse?
Government route: Government nursing colleges: roughly ₹5,000 to ₹50,000 per year in tuition. Private route: Private nursing colleges: roughly ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakh per year in tuition. Approximate. Fees change every year and differ by state, institute and category (fee waivers and scholarships may apply). Always check the official fee notice.
What is the salary of a Nurse in India?
In central government hospitals such as AIIMS, the Nursing Officer post is at Level 7 of the 7th CPC pay matrix. Private hospital pay varies widely by city and hospital; check recruitment notices.
Sources and last check
We list every rate, limit and date this page relies on, where it comes from and when we last checked it. Rules change: please confirm on the official website before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
- Nurse: path, eligibility and costsVerified 13 Oct 2026
Approximate. Fees change every year and differ by state, institute and category (fee waivers and scholarships may apply). Always check the official fee notice.
Indian Nursing Council · AIIMS Exams · Department of Expenditure — 7th CPC pay matrix
- Entrance and recruitment examsVerified 13 Oct 2026
Frequency shown is typical; dates, eligibility and patterns change every cycle.
NEET (UG) — National Testing Agency (NTA) · AIIMS B.Sc (Hons) Nursing and Nursing Officer recruitment (NORCET) — AIIMS New Delhi
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