Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh govt has announced the introduction of a common entrance test for admissions into nursing colleges, becoming the first state in India to implement such an initiative for nursing courses. Health and family welfare minister Y Satya Kumar emphasised that the move aims to enhance the quality of nursing education across the state. On Thursday, Satya Kumar held discussions with representatives from the Nursing Colleges Association.
The govt has also decided to advance the admission process timeline, beginning in April and concluding in July, instead of November. The entrance exam is scheduled for the second week of June, with approximately 13,000 students expected to be admitted annually to B.Sc. (Nursing) programs in the state. Previously, admissions were based on competitive exams such as NEET and EAMCET, while in some states, intermediate marks determined eligibility. Additionally, the minister has approved a proposal to establish a legally constituted board of examinations to conduct entrance tests for General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) courses.
The Nursing Colleges Association raised concerns regarding the current tuition fees, which stand at 15,000 for the three-year GNM program and 19,000 for the four-year BSc (Nursing) program, arguing that these amounts are inadequate to maintain the quality of education. In response, the minister directed officials to reassess the fee structure.
The govt has also decided to advance the admission process timeline, beginning in April and concluding in July, instead of November. The entrance exam is scheduled for the second week of June, with approximately 13,000 students expected to be admitted annually to B.Sc. (Nursing) programs in the state. Previously, admissions were based on competitive exams such as NEET and EAMCET, while in some states, intermediate marks determined eligibility. Additionally, the minister has approved a proposal to establish a legally constituted board of examinations to conduct entrance tests for General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) courses.
The Nursing Colleges Association raised concerns regarding the current tuition fees, which stand at 15,000 for the three-year GNM program and 19,000 for the four-year BSc (Nursing) program, arguing that these amounts are inadequate to maintain the quality of education. In response, the minister directed officials to reassess the fee structure.
