In the absence of a uniform, technology-enabled admissions system, the process for nursing and paramedical courses remains fragmented and inequitable. This information asymmetry creates problems:

  • For students: Lack of clarity on admission timelines, eligibility, fees, and institute quality; restricted choices due to proximity and poor visibility of statewide options.
  • For institutes: Admissions driven by inconsistent practices—some merit-based, others first-come-first-served or fee-based—leading to unfair competition.


The National Nursing and Midwifery Commission (NNMC) Act, 2023 allows the National commission to provide for a uniform mechanism for admission into the nursing and midwifery institutes at all India level. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 calls for technology-driven admissions to broaden access and ensure fairness.

A centralised admissions system operationalises these mandates by providing a transparent platform for applying to all recognised institutes, ensuring fair, merit-based seat allocation.

To establish a credible and transparent centralised admissions system for all nursing and paramedical diploma courses, enabled by technology and integrated with institute ratings, that ensures merit-based selection, expands equitable access.

The centralised admissions process is designed and should be implemented in line with the mandated set up by NNMC Act, 2023, upholding the following principles:

  • Equity and Access: Ensure admissions are merit-based and free from bias, favouritism, or financial influence.
  • Transparency: Publish clear eligibility criteria, seat availability, timelines, and fee structures in advance.
  • Uniform standards and procedures: Apply standardised eligibility verification, merit score normalisation, and reservation policies across all participating institutes.
  • Technology-enabled processes: Use a secure online platform to manage the entire admissions lifecycle, from registration to allotment.

  • Issue a formal government order/ notification adopting the centralised admissions framework,
    detailing its scope, courses covered, timelines, process flow, and compliance requirements.
    Publish it on the official admissions portal and circulate it to all recognised institutes.

    • Central admissions board: Establish a multi-member board including senior officials from the Department of Medical Education/Health, the state nursing and paramedical council, and other designated experts.

    • Scope and coverage: Cover all recognised nursing courses across government and private institutes affiliated to the state’s regulatory authority

    • Phased implementation: Where immediate universal coverage is not feasible, adopt a phased transition.

    • Eligibility criteria: Define age, educational, and medical fitness requirements in line with Indian Nursing Council (INC) guidelines.

    • Reservation: Provide transparent provisions for NRI quota and other categories.

    • Merit normalisation method: Use a published methodology (e.g., percentile-based normalisation across education boards) with clear tie-breaker rules to ensure fairness.

    • Counselling process: Conduct multi-round counselling including registration, document verification, choice filling, seat allotment, acceptance, and reporting, with an optional mop-up round.

    • Grievance redressal: Operate an online Query Redressal System for registered candidates.

  • Constitute a multi-member body to oversee the entire admissions process, address
    contingencies, and ensure regulatory alignment. Their key responsibility will be taking decisions
    regarding any steps in the entire admissions process.

    • Description of Officers for Counselling Board: Role in Counselling Board

    • Director General, Department of Medical Education and Training: Member

    • Secretary, state nursing council: Co-Member

    • Nominated nodal officer by Secretary, state nursing council: Co-Member

    • Any other Officer designated by the Secretary, State: Co-Member

  • Prepare and maintain a comprehensive workplan mapping every activity in the admissions cycle
    from policy release to final seat reporting. Include milestones such as agency onboarding, portal
    development, application processing, counselling rounds, and mop-up processes.

  • A communication plan informing students, parents and institutes about the new system. This
    may include press releases, social media campaigns, personal messages/ calls and posters.

  • Launch the online portal for students to register. The platform should allow for profile creation, document upload, and the submission of course and institute preferences.

  • Compile candidate merit using the approved normalisation procedure to ensure fairness across
    different education boards and years. Prepare a common merit list by averaging normalised
    percentile scores. Publish the final list on the admissions portal to guide seat allotment.

  • The counselling process will be carried out entirely through the centralised admissions portal,
    following published schedules and procedures.

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