What is GNM?
GNM is broader and more advanced than ANM — covers general nursing, midwifery, mental health, community health, paediatrics, medical-surgical nursing, and a 6-month internship. Open to both female and male candidates in most states.
GNM graduates become Registered Nurses (RN, RM) with the State Nursing Council and work as Staff Nurses in private and government hospitals, NHS abroad (with additional qualifying exam), defence nursing, and Railways. Strong demand both domestically and internationally.
GNM Eligibility Criteria 2026
- 10+2 from any stream — minimum 40–50% aggregate
- English as a subject
- Age 17–35 years
- Medical fitness
- Open to both male and female candidates (state-dependent)
GNM Fee Structure
| College Type | Per Year | Total Course Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Government nursing colleges | ₹15K–₹40K | ₹50K–₹1.4 lakh |
| Private (state quota) | ₹50K–₹1.2 lakh | ₹1.7–4 lakh |
| Private (management) | ₹1–2 lakh | ₹3.5–7 lakh |
GNM Admission Process
- Apply via state nursing council portal
- Some states conduct GNM CET
- Merit-based seat allotment
- Medical fitness check
- Document verification + fee payment
Documents Required for GNM Admission
- 10th & 12th marksheets
- Aadhaar + photos
- Domicile (state quota)
- Category certificate
- Medical fitness certificate
Top GNM Colleges in India
- College of Nursing AIIMS New Delhi
- CMC Vellore School of Nursing
- AFMC Pune College of Nursing
- NIMHANS School of Nursing Bangalore
- Tata Memorial Hospital School of Nursing Mumbai
Top GNM Colleges in Uttar Pradesh
- Government Nursing College KGMU Lucknow
- BHU College of Nursing Varanasi
- SGPGI College of Nursing Lucknow
- Babu Banarasi Das College of Nursing Lucknow
- Hind Institute of Medical Sciences Lucknow
- Era's College of Nursing Lucknow
Rudra Career Guidance has direct counselling tie-ups with multiple UP-based colleges. Find your nearest branch for personalised recommendations.
Free GNM counselling — talk to an expert
College shortlist, fee guidance, admission strategy. No obligation.
Career Scope & Opportunities After GNM
- Staff Nurse — private hospital
- Government Staff Nurse (state health, AIIMS, ESI, Railway)
- Defence Nursing (Military Nursing Service)
- NHS / UAE / Saudi nursing (after qualifying exams)
- School / corporate nurse
- Pursue B.Sc Nursing (Post-Basic) for higher roles
GNM Salary Range in India
| Role | Experience | Annual Package |
|---|---|---|
| Private hospital staff nurse | 0–2 yrs | ₹2–4 lakh |
| Government Staff Nurse (state) | Entry | ₹4–6 lakh |
| AIIMS / SGPGI / Central govt nurse | Entry | ₹6–8 lakh |
| Military Nursing Service | Entry (Lt rank) | ₹8–10 lakh + benefits |
| NHS UK / Gulf nursing | With qualifying exam | ₹15–35 lakh |
| Senior Nurse / Nursing Supervisor | 8+ yrs | ₹6–12 lakh |
Higher Studies After GNM
- Post-Basic B.Sc Nursing (2 years)
- M.Sc Nursing (after Post-Basic B.Sc)
- Specialised courses — Critical Care, OT Tech, Cardiac Care, Neonatal
- Foreign nursing licensure (NCLEX-RN for US, CBT for UK)
Related Courses
Frequently Asked Questions — GNM
Yes — GNM is open to male candidates in most states (unlike ANM which is mostly female-only). Demand for male nurses is growing rapidly in India and abroad, especially in psychiatric, orthopaedic, and OT/ICU settings.
B.Sc Nursing (4 yrs degree, INC) has higher academic value and better long-term ceiling — required for nursing officer posts, abroad nursing, and M.Sc Nursing. GNM (3.5 yrs diploma) is faster and cheaper, suitable for direct hospital employment. Both lead to Registered Nurse status but B.Sc has wider scope.
Yes — GNM is the entry-level nursing qualification accepted in UK (after CBT/OSCE), Gulf countries (after DHA/MOH/SCFHS exams), and some other countries. For USA/Canada, B.Sc Nursing + NCLEX-RN is required.
Government nursing colleges (KGMU, BHU): ₹15K–₹40K/year. Private state quota: ₹50K–₹1.2 lakh/year. Top private (Era's, BBD): ₹1.2–2 lakh/year. Total course fee: ₹50K to ₹7 lakh.
Yes — extremely strong. Global nursing shortage means GNM/B.Sc Nursing graduates have multiple employment routes: government (good pay + job security), private corporate hospitals, defence, abroad (very high pay). Demand exceeds supply.
6 months of compulsory internship after 3 years of academic study, making the total course duration 3.5 years. The internship rotates through medical, surgical, OBG, paediatrics, and community health departments.
Ready to apply for GNM 2026?
Get a free college shortlist tailored to your marks and budget.