GNM (General Nursing and Midwifery) – Complete Course Overview
GNM is a 3-year nursing diploma programme that prepares students for patient care, hospital nursing, community health, and maternal and child care. The Indian Nursing Council (INC) lists GNM as a 3-year programme leading to registration as R.N. & R.M.
1. Course Name
General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM)
2. Course Duration
- 3 years
- Includes classroom learning, practical/clinical training and nursing-related field experience.
3. Eligibility
As per the Indian Nursing Council:
- Passed 10+2 (12th) with English
- Minimum 40% marks in the qualifying examination
- 5% relaxation is available for SC/ST candidates under the INC criteria.
- Minimum age: 17 years as on 31 December of the admission year.
- Students must be medically fit.
- Some universities may have additional/state-specific requirements.
Note: Eligibility can vary slightly by state and institution. For example, some institutions accept 10+2 from Science, Arts or Commerce, while some may give preference to Science students.
4. Approximate Fee
Fees vary considerably by college, university, state and hostel requirements.
Examples for 2026–27:
- Parul University: ₹71,000 per year listed for GNM.
- Gopal Narayan Singh University: ₹1,70,000 annual fee, with additional listed charges.
- Shri Guru Ram Rai University: approximately ₹1,22,500 in Year 1, ₹95,000 in Year 2 and ₹1,15,000 in Year 3, excluding the final examination fee.
Counselling point: Always check the current fee structure directly with the institution because tuition, examination, clinical training, uniform, hostel and other charges may be separate.
5. Admission Process
The usual process is:
- Check eligibility and admission notification.
- Complete the university/college application form.
- Submit educational and required documents.
- Appear for an entrance examination if required by the state/institution.
- Merit/selection or counselling.
- Document verification.
- Pay the required admission fee and confirm the seat.
Admission rules are not identical across India. For example, some institutions use merit-based admission, while some states/institutions conduct an entrance test.
6. Mode of Study
- Primarily regular/on-campus study
- Classroom teaching
- Nursing laboratory practice
- Hospital/clinical training
- Community health experience
GNM is a practical healthcare programme, so students should check that the institution provides the required clinical training and is appropriately recognized. The INC publishes lists of suitable nursing institutions for the academic year.
7. Main Subjects / Syllabus
Major areas generally include:
- Nursing Foundation
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Microbiology
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Nutrition
- Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Community Health Nursing
- Child Health Nursing
- Mental Health/Psychiatric Nursing
- Midwifery and Obstetrical Nursing
- Maternal and Newborn Care
- First Aid and Emergency Care
- Nursing Education and Administration
- Practical/Clinical Nursing Training
The exact subject structure can vary according to the applicable nursing board/university curriculum.
8. Career Scope
GNM provides opportunities in the healthcare sector, including:
- Government hospitals
- Private hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Community health centres
- Clinics
- Primary healthcare facilities
- Maternal and child healthcare services
- Healthcare and elderly-care facilities
- Community health programmes
The programme includes clinical exposure designed to prepare students for nursing work in healthcare settings.
9. Job Opportunities
After completing GNM and fulfilling applicable registration requirements, graduates can look for opportunities such as:
- Government hospitals
- Private hospitals
- Community health centres
- Primary health centres
- Nursing homes
- Clinics
- Healthcare organizations
- Home healthcare services
10. Common Job Roles
Common roles may include:
- Staff Nurse
- General Nurse
- Community Health Nurse
- Nursing Assistant/Supervisor-level roles, depending on experience and employer
- Midwifery-related nursing roles
- Home Healthcare Nurse
- Clinical Nursing Staff
The exact job title and eligibility depend on the employer, state registration rules and recruitment notification.
11. Expected Salary Range
Salary depends on state, employer, location, experience, registration status and government/private employment.
As a general counselling estimate, fresh GNM-qualified nurses may commonly see opportunities around ₹15,000–₹30,000 per month, while experienced nurses and government/large healthcare employers may offer higher salaries.
Important: This is a broad employment-market estimate, not a guaranteed salary. Actual government salary depends on the applicable recruitment rules and pay structure.
12. Higher Study Options
After GNM, students can consider:
- Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing
- B.Sc. Nursing through eligible routes/institutions
- Post-basic nursing specializations
- Selected certificate/continuing nursing programmes
- Later, after completing the required bachelor's qualification, M.Sc. Nursing
The INC specifically recognizes Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing as a higher nursing programme and requires a GNM qualification with nursing registration for admission.
13. Universities/Institutions Offering GNM
Examples of institutions currently listing GNM include:
- Parul University, Gujarat
- Gopal Narayan Singh University, Bihar
- K. J. Somaiya School of Nursing, Maharashtra
- Shri Guru Ram Rai University, Uttarakhand
- NIMT Educational Institutions, Uttar Pradesh
- Other institutions listed as suitable/recognized through the relevant State Nursing Council/INC processes.
Important: Students should verify the institution's current recognition/suitability and affiliation before admission.
14. University-wise Eligibility & Approximate Fees
| Institution | Duration | Eligibility | Approx. Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parul University | 3 years | 12th with English; 40% for general category as listed | ₹71,000/year |
| Gopal Narayan Singh University | 3 years | 10+2 with English; 50% as listed | ₹1,70,000/year + other charges |
| Shri Guru Ram Rai University | 3 years | 10+2, preferably Science (PCB) & English; 40% | Year-wise fees approximately ₹95,000–₹1,22,500 |
| K. J. Somaiya School of Nursing | 3 years | 10+2 with English; 40%; Maharashtra domicile requirement for the listed admission | Fee should be checked in the current admission notice |
| NIMT Educational Institutions | 3 years | 10+2 with English and 40% as listed | Approximately ₹1.12–₹1.19 lakh/year in the listed 2026–27 structure |
Sources: institution-specific 2026 information.
15. Entrance Exam / Other Requirements
- Entrance exam: Depends on the state and institution.
- Some institutions use merit-based admission.
- Some states/institutions conduct a GNM entrance examination.
- Candidates generally need 10+2 certificates, marksheets, identity documents and other documents specified by the institution.
- Medical fitness is required under INC eligibility criteria.
- Nursing registration requirements should be checked with the relevant State Nursing Registration Council after qualification.
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