Nursing Council extends admission deadline for all nursing courses to November 15 as seats lie vacant

A large number of seats are lying vacant in nursing colleges in Nagpur. In view of this, the Indian Nursing Council (INC) has decided to relax the eligibility conditions for admission to nursing courses once again.

The council has extended the last date for admission to all courses, including ANM, GNM, BSc Nursing and MSc Nursing, from October 31 to November 15. Students who have not been able to take admission so far will get one more chance.

The minimum percentile under the new conditions has not yet been announced. On October 16, the percentile for the general category had been reduced from 50 to 40. It was fixed at 35 for persons with disabilities and 30 for reserved categories. It is now believed that it could be lowered further.

The extension will also change the batch arrangements. Students who have taken admission by October 31 will be placed in the regular batch, while a separate batch will be formed for those admitted between November 1 and 15. The examinations for the two batches will also be held separately. The arrangement will apply to all these courses, including BSc Nursing.

The council has also made it clear that no college can admit more students than its approved intake capacity. The admission date will not be extended beyond November 15. Strict action will be taken against institutions and their managements that violate the rules.

Experts believe the council's move will bring big relief to thousands of students who could not take admission so far because of the minimum percentile requirement or other reasons. According to them, it will also help fill the vacant seats in colleges.

Educationists, on the other hand, say that holding separate classes and examinations for the two batches could put additional pressure on the management and evaluation of the academic session. Institutions will therefore have to make special administrative preparations.