Nursing Entrance Exam 2026 — Complete Guide
State-wise guide to BSc Nursing and GNM entrance exams 2026. NEET eligibility, official registration links for Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and central institutes — plus free counselling support.
Note: Always verify current year dates on official government websites. Dates change each year. If you're unsure about the process, our counsellors offer free guidance — contact us here.
NEET UG 2026 — Mandatory for BSc Nursing
Conducted by NTA (National Testing Agency)
Conducting Body
NTA — National Testing Agency
Official Website
neet.nta.nic.in / nta.ac.in
Mode
Offline (Pen & Paper, OMR)
Subjects
Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Botany + Zoology)
Total Marks
720 marks (180 questions)
Eligibility
Class 12 PCB, min 45% marks (UR)
Official NEET & Registration Links
NEET 2026 — Tentative Schedule
| Event | Tentative Date |
|---|---|
| NEET 2026 Notification | December 2025 / January 2026 |
| Application Start Date | January–February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | February–March 2026 |
| Hall Ticket Release | April–May 2026 |
| NEET UG Exam Date | May 2026 |
| NEET Result Declaration | June 2026 |
| State Counselling Begins | July–August 2026 |
State-wise Nursing Counselling 2026
After NEET results, each state conducts its own counselling for nursing seat allotment. Here's the official process and links for each state.
Karnataka — NEET UG + KEA Counselling
Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA)
Courses
BSc Nursing, GNM
NEET Cutoff
NEET 50th percentile (UR), 40th percentile (SC/ST)
Fee Range
₹600–₹1.2L/yr (private colleges)
Step-by-Step Registration
- 1Qualify NEET UG 2026 with required cutoff
- 2Register for KEA NEET counselling at kea.kar.nic.in
- 3Upload documents: NEET scorecard, 12th marks, domicile, Aadhaar
- 4Attend document verification (online/offline)
- 5Fill choice of colleges and courses in KEA portal
- 6Accept seat allotment and pay fee
- 7Report to allotted nursing college
Kerala — NEET UG + CEE Kerala Counselling
Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE Kerala)
Courses
BSc Nursing, GNM, Post Basic BSc Nursing
NEET Cutoff
NEET 50th percentile (UR), varies by category
Fee Range
₹50,000–₹1L/yr (private; govt colleges much lower)
Step-by-Step Registration
- 1Qualify NEET UG 2026
- 2Register on CEE Kerala portal: cee.kerala.gov.in
- 3Submit application with NEET rank, 12th marksheet, community certificate
- 4Attend allotment process (centralised online counselling)
- 5Choose college preferences through CEE portal
- 6Confirm allotment and pay tuition fee
- 7Report to nursing college with original certificates
Tamil Nadu — NEET UG + TNMGRMU / TN Health Dept Counselling
Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University (TNMGRMU)
Courses
BSc Nursing, GNM, Post Basic BSc Nursing
NEET Cutoff
NEET 50th percentile (UR); management quota available at lower scores
Fee Range
₹70,000–₹1.5L/yr (private colleges)
Step-by-Step Registration
- 1Qualify NEET UG 2026
- 2Check notification at tnhealth.tn.gov.in or tnmgrmu.ac.in
- 3Register for TN nursing counselling online
- 4Upload 12th marks, NEET scorecard, community certificate, nativity certificate
- 5Fill college and course choices
- 6Receive allotment and confirm admission
- 7Pay fee and report to allotted nursing college
National (AIIMS / Central) — NEET UG + AIIMS BSc Nursing Entrance
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
Courses
BSc Nursing (AIIMS, JIPMER, central institutes)
NEET Cutoff
Very competitive — top 1% of NEET required for AIIMS
Fee Range
Low (government institute fees)
Step-by-Step Registration
- 1Qualify NEET UG with high score for central quota
- 2Register for AIIMS BSc Nursing at aiimsexams.ac.in
- 3Fill application with academic, category, and ID details
- 4Download admit card and appear for exam (if applicable)
- 5Check results and participate in counselling
- 6Accept seat and report to institute
GNM Admission 2026 — Without NEET
GNM (General Nursing and Midwifery) is a 3-year diploma course that generally does not require NEET. Admissions are managed by State Nursing Councils and Health Departments.
Karnataka
Karnataka State Nursing Council
ksnc.karnataka.gov.in
Kerala
Kerala Nurses & Midwives Council
www.knmckerala.org
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu Nurses & Midwives Board
www.tnhealth.tn.gov.in
National Body
Indian Nursing Council (INC)
www.indiannursingcouncil.org
General GNM Eligibility (2026):
- ✓ Class 12 pass with English, Physics/Chemistry/Biology/Math
- ✓ Minimum 40–45% aggregate marks in Class 12
- ✓ Age: 17–35 years (varies by state)
- ✓ Medical fitness certificate required
- ✓ NEET not required in most states for GNM
📋 Master Document Checklist — Nursing Admission 2026
Academic Documents
- ✓ Class 10 Marks Card & Certificate
- ✓ Class 12 Marks Card (PCB)
- ✓ School Transfer / Migration Certificate
- ✓ Character Certificate from school
- ✓ NEET UG Scorecard 2026
- ✓ NEET Admit Card (for reference)
Identity & Supporting Documents
- ✓ Aadhaar Card (student)
- ✓ Domicile / Nativity Certificate
- ✓ Caste / Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC if applicable)
- ✓ Income Certificate (for scholarships)
- ✓ Medical Fitness Certificate
- ✓ Passport-size photographs (10 copies)
- ✓ Parents' ID proof (Aadhaar / PAN)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NEET required for BSc Nursing admission?+
Yes, NEET UG score is mandatory for BSc Nursing admission in most states including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. The INC (Indian Nursing Council) mandates NEET for BSc Nursing admissions since 2020. Minimum 45% marks in PCB in Class 12 is also required.
What is the NEET cutoff for nursing 2026?+
For BSc Nursing, the NEET cutoff varies by state and college. Generally, government college seats require higher ranks (within top 20,000–50,000), while private college seats are available for lower ranks too. Unreserved (UR) category needs 50th percentile; SC/ST needs 40th percentile.
How to apply for GNM nursing without NEET?+
GNM (General Nursing and Midwifery) is a diploma course and does not require NEET in most states. Admission is based on Class 12 marks in PCB/PCM. Each state has its own application process through the State Nursing Council or health department. Check your state nursing council website for applications.
What is the minimum age for nursing entrance exam?+
The minimum age for BSc Nursing and GNM is 17 years as on December 31 of the admission year. The maximum age is generally 35 years, though this varies by state. NEET itself has no upper age limit as per the Supreme Court ruling.
Can I get nursing admission without high NEET score?+
Yes, private nursing colleges in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka accept students with moderate NEET scores. Management quota seats are also available. Our free counselling service can help you find the best college matching your NEET score and budget.
Find Nursing Colleges — South India
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