GNM or General Nursing and Midwifery is a three-year course with a six-month Internship that deals with equipping students with the knowledge of several Nursing methods under various clinical approaches to managing patients in Health Centres. GNM course is designed to enable potential aspirants to acquire job opportunities such as nursing assistants, specialist nurses, nursing aides, etc.
Table of Contents
| Degree | Diploma |
| Full Form | Diploma in General Nursing & Midwifery |
| Duration | 3 Years |
| Age | Minimum age limit is 17 years |
| Minimum Percentage | An aggregate of 50 % in 10+2 |
| Average Fees | INR 10,000-5,00,000 per year |
| Average Salary | INR 2- 6 LPA [Source: Ambition Box] |
| Employment Roles | Nurse, Nursing Assistant, Specialist Nurse, Nursing Aides, etc. |
| Top Recruiters | Students are placed in top hospitals and care units such as Fortis Hospitals, Apollo Hospitals, etc. |
GNM full form stands for General Nursing and Midwifery which is a diploma program designed to train individuals with specialized practices in clinical nursing with an emphasis on several functionalities of midwifery services. GNM Nursing course fee ranges between INR 15,000 PA – 1.2 LPA.
GNM course duration is 3.6 years long and 6 months of mandatory internship. The GNM syllabus and subjects cover topics such as Microbiology, Psychology, Sociology, Fundamentals of Nursing, Community Health Nursing, etc.
GNM Nursing admission requires candidates to pass their High School education (10+2) in the Science stream with an aggregate of 50 % from a recognised university and qualify with necessary cut-off marks under the assessments conducted by the GNM entrance exam.
The GNM job scope is vast and employment opportunities are available in both the public and private sectors as the GNM Course is a highly job-oriented program with students acquiring several job roles in the health sector as Nurses, Nursing Assistants, Specialist Nurses, Nursing Aides, etc.
The GNM nursing full form stands for General Nursing and Midwifery, where the name itself defines the significance of the course. The diploma in general nursing and midwifery has a lot of benefits for candidates in the Medical Feild.
Before deciding on pursuing the GNM Degree, students encounter queries like, “What is GNM course?” and “Why choose GNM Nursing?”. To clearly understand answers to these questions and know more about GNM Nursing course details, we have framed the following pointers to explain these queries in better ways:

Demand
Industry Relevant Syllabus
Job Opportunities
The GNM course gets pursued by several students each and every year. The following are the top reasons for students to pursue this particular course.
GNM Nursing admission is offered to only those students who meet the requirements of GNM eligibility. The typical eligibility requirement for GNM admission is listed below.
For pursuing GNM Nursing, students must ensure that they satisfy the eligibility criteria. Students can find GNM course information for admissions on the relevant conducting organisations website. The selection for the GNM Nursing best colleges in India is either based on merit or an entrance-based admission process. Mentioned below are the details of the process for GNM admission in general:

GNM Nursing Admission 2024:
Almost all colleges offering GNM Nursing have an entrance exam-based admission process after students meet the GNM Nursing eligibility criteria. The State-level entrance exams are the most acceptable for getting into GNM courses. Some of the top GNM Nursing entrance examinations are:
There are various state-level GNM Nursing entrance exams candidates need to appear for to secure GNM Nursing admission. Listed below in the table is information regarding GNM Nursing Entrance Exam at the state level:
| Sl.No. | Name of the State | Entrance Exam |
| 1 | Tami Nadu | TN GNM |
| 2 | West Bengal | WB GNM |
| 3 | Uttar Pradesh | UP GNM |
| 4 | Rajasthan | RJ GNM |
| 5 | Madhya Pradesh | MP GNM |
| 6 | Andhra Pradesh | AP GNM |
Before appearing for the GNM Nursing entrance exams, students should be aware of the details regarding the entrance exams. In general, the exam pattern for GNM Nursing is:
GNM Entrance Exam pattern mostly cover the general syllabus of all popular entrance exam. The GNM Entrance Exam syllabus includes physics, chemistry, general ability, English language, General Knowledge, and biology from the 10+2 curriculum.
The GNM Nursing fees for various colleges in India are around INR 20,000 – 1 LPA. However, the structure of the GNM course fee may vary based on the type of institute, location, infrastructure, faculties, and facilities available. When it comes to the GNM fees in a private college, It is usually on the higher side compared to a government-based college.
Below is the information regarding GNM Nursing fees for the top Nursing institutions along with the GNM admission fees:
| GNM Fees in India | ||||
| Sl.No. | Name of the Institute | Average Annual Fees (INR) | Admission Fees (INR) | Miscellaneous Fees (INR) |
| 1 | Christian Medical College [CMC], Vellore | 50,000 PA | 5,000 | 15,000 |
| 2 | KIIT Bhubaneswar | 30,000 PA | 2,000 | 10,000 |
| 3 | Government Medical College, Kozhikode | 15,000 PA | 1,000 | 5,000 |
| 4 | Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata | 45,000 PA | 2,000 | 13,000 |
| 5 | Sharda University, Greater Noida | 80,000 PA | 5,000 | 15,000 |
The Post Basic GNM Nursing programme can be considered a nursing bridge course. Those with a Diploma in Nursing are eligible for the course. The goal of the GNM Nursing Bridge course is to bridge the knowledge gap between pre-university and graduation levels.
The other six-month bridge course for GNM Nursing is in Community Health. The bridge course in community health is a certification that aims to introduce nurses to National Health Programs and Health Systems, and adherence to national protocols of treatment and care.
GNM Nursing, often known as General Nursing Midwifery (GNM), is a diploma programme offered by prominent institutions. GNM Nursing colleges are located all across the country in different regions. A candidate should be aware of the course curriculum of the GNM Nursing college they seek to get admitted.
Here are a GNM colleges list that students can choose from:
| Sl.No. | Name of the Institute |
Average Fees (INR) |
| 1 | Christian Medical College |
70,000 PA |
| 2 | Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research |
45,000 PA |
| 3 | KIIT University |
30,000 PA |
| 4 | Government Medical College |
15,000 PA |
| 5 | Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research |
1.2 LPA |
| 6 | Armed Forces Medical College |
1 LPA |
| 7 | Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University |
1.2 LPA |
| 8 | Madras Medical College |
5.7 LPA |
| 9 | Aligarh Muslim University |
50,000 PA |
| 10 | NIMS University |
1.2 LPA |

The capital city of Karnataka is renowned around the country for colleges offering top GNM Nursing programmes. Check the table below for the best GNM Nursing colleges in India:
|
Sl.No |
Institution |
|
1 |
All India Institute of Medical Sciences Patna |
|
2 |
Gopal Narayan Singh University |
|
3 |
Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences |
|
4 |
Al-Karim University |
|
5 |
Narayan Nursing College |
Tamil Nadu’s capital city is home to some of the premier institutions for GNM Nursing in India. Check the table below for the best GNM Nursing colleges in Chennai:
|
Sl.No |
Institution |
|
1 |
Arafa School of Nursing |
|
2 |
Bishop Vayalil Medical Centre School of Nursing |
|
3 |
Century Hospital School of Nursing |
|
4 |
Christu Raj School of Nursing |
|
5 |
Cochin Medical College |
The table below contains the names of the top GNM Nursing colleges in Kolkata:
| Sl.No. | Institution |
| 1 | Kolkata Medical College |
| 2 | Institute of Postgraduate Medical Research |
| 3 | IMS |
| 4 | Adamas University |
| 5 | Sister Nivedita University |
| 6 | The Neotia University |
| 7 | Techno India University |
Mumbai is home to premier nursing colleges, as detailed in the table below:
| Sl.No. | Institution |
| 1 | Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College |
| 2 | SNDT Women’s University |
| 3 | Vikas Night College of Arts, Science and Commerce |
| 4 | Topiwala National Medical College |
| 5 | DY Patil University |
| 6 | Bombay Hospital Institute of Medical Science |
| 7 | PD Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre, College of Nursing |
The table below contains the names of the top GNM Nursing colleges in Delhi:
Bangalore is home to some of the best colleges for nursing in India, listed in the table below:
In India, there are many government colleges that offer GNM courses along with placement in government hospitals. The average GNM course fees in government colleges are in the range of INR 20,000-1 LPA. Here is a list of some of the top government colleges:
Some of the top private colleges that offer GNM also provide placement with some of the big medical institutions and hospitals. The average GNM course fee in private colleges is in the range of INR 50,000-2.5 LPA. Here is a list of some of the top private colleges in India:
GNM course has a duration is 3 years and 6 months. GNM syllabus and subjects are designed for providing an in-depth understanding of techniques to cure and treat disease with the assistance of a doctor. Listed below are a few core subjects in the course:
Read More: GNM Nursing Syllabus and Subjects
It is a diploma course, and students should know all about the GNM course before pursuing it. Some of the essential tips for students seeking admission to the GNM course are
There are various courses based on Nursing. Students can obtain diverse training through these courses to become efficient Nursing agents in the medical field. The most popular courses for Nursing are ANM, BSc Nursing, or a GNM. The contrast between these courses is given below.
Given below is a table depicting the difference between GNM and ANM:
| Parameter | GNM Nursing | ANM Nursing |
| Course Full Form | General Nursing and Midwifery | Auxiliary Nursing and Midwifery |
| Course Overview | The GNM program combines nursing training with an interdisciplinary focus and teaches students to provide first aid, work as a team, aid in research, etc. | ANM students have to take courses at the community level and are trained in only the basics of nursing. |
| Duration | 3.5 years | 2 years |
| Course Level | Diploma | Diploma |
| Eligibility | Class 12th | Class 12th |
| Fees | INR 20,000-1 LPA | INR 40,000-80,000 PA |
| Top Colleges | CMC Vellore, CMC Ludhiana, IPGMER Kolkata, etc. | Teerthanker Mahaveer University, CMJ University, etc. |
| Jobs | Forensic Nurse, Clinical Nurse Consultant, etc. | In-charge and Helper, Junior Lecturer, Traveling Nurse, etc. |
| Average Salary | INR 2-5 LPA | INR 2-5 LPA |
Read More: Auxiliary Nursing and Midwifery
Given below is a table representing the general information regarding BSc Nursing vs GNM Nursing:
| Parameter | GNM Nursing | B.Sc Nursing |
| Course Full Form | General Nursing and Midwifery | Bachelor of Science in Nursing |
| Course Overview | The GNM program combines nursing training with an interdisciplinary focus and teaches students to provide first aid, research, etc. | Students in the BSc program are trained to provide first aid, set up equipment, brief patients, coordinate the proper functioning of hospital wards. |
| Duration | 3.5 years | 4 years |
| Course Level | Diploma | Graduate |
| Eligibility | 10+2 from a recognized board | 10+2 from a recognized board |
| Fees | INR 20,000-1LPA | INR 20,000-2.5LPA |
| Top Colleges | CMC Vellore, CMC Ludhiana, IPGMER Kolkata, etc. | AIIMS Delhi, Christian Medical College, etc. |
| Jobs | Forensic Nurse, Clinical Nurse Consultant, etc. | Govt and Private Hospitals, Healthcare Centers, etc. |
| Average Salary | INR 2-5 LPA | INR 2-5 LPA |
Read More: B.Sc Nursing
The table below showcases the differences between GNM Nursing vs BMLT:
| Parameter | GNM Nursing | BMLT |
| Course Full Form | General Nursing and Midwifery | Bachelor in Medical Laboratory Technology |
| Course Overview | The GNM program combines nursing training with an interdisciplinary focus and teaches students to provide first aid, research, etc. | BMLT focuses on diagnosing and treating diseases using laboratory tests with specialized knowledge about basic and complex lab diagnostic procedures. |
| Duration | 3.5 years | 3 years |
| Course Level | Diploma | Bachelors |
| Eligibility | 10+2 from a recognized board | 10+2 from a recognized board |
| Fees | INR 20,000-1LPA |
INR 30,000 to 1 LPA |
| Top Colleges | CMC Vellore, CMC Ludhiana, IPGMER Kolkata, etc. | Manipal University, JHU, AU, etc. |
| Jobs | Forensic Nurse, Clinical Nurse Consultant, etc. | Medical Laboratory Technician, Medical Clinical Laboratory Technician, etc. |
| Average Salary | INR 2-5 LPA | INR 3-5 LPA |
Read More: BMLT
The table below showcases the differences between GNM Nursing vs DPharma:
| Parameter | GNM Nursing | DPharma |
| Course Full Form | General Nursing and Midwifery | Doctor of Pharmacy |
| Course Overview | The GNM program combines nursing training with an interdisciplinary focus and teaches students to provide first aid, research, etc. | DPharma is the study of pharmaceuticals that focuses on the analysis of medications and clinical trials. |
| Duration | 3.5 years | 6 years |
| Course Level | Diploma | Masters |
| Eligibility | 10+2 from a recognized board | 10+2 from a recognized board |
| Fees | INR 20,000-1LPA |
INR 50,000 – 2 LPA |
| Top Colleges | CMC Vellore, CMC Ludhiana, IPGMER Kolkata, etc. | Poona College, Chandigarh University, Jaipur National University, etc. |
| Jobs | Forensic Nurse, Clinical Nurse Consultant, etc. | Nutritionist, Medical Writer, Drug Advisor, etc. |
| Average Salary | INR 2-5 LPA | INR 3-6 LPA |
Read More: DPharma
The table below showcases the differences between GNM Nursing vs B.Pharma:
| Parameter | GNM Nursing | B.Pharma |
| Course Full Form | General Nursing and Midwifery | Bachelor of Pharmacy |
| Course Overview | The GNM program combines nursing training with an interdisciplinary focus and teaches students to provide first aid, research, etc. | The B.Pharma course focuses on making students equipped in testing and researching drugs for various ailments and illnesses. |
| Duration | 3.5 years | 4 years |
| Course Level | Diploma | Bachelors |
| Eligibility | 10+2 from a recognized board | 10+2 from a recognized board |
| Fees | INR 20,000-1LPA |
INR 4 – 10 LPA |
| Top Colleges | CMC Vellore, CMC Ludhiana, IPGMER Kolkata, etc. | Madras Medical College, BITS Pilani, Amity University, etc. |
| Jobs | Forensic Nurse, Clinical Nurse Consultant, etc. | Health Inspector, Pharmacist, research officer, etc. |
| Average Salary | INR 2-5 LPA | INR 2 – 5 LPA |
Read More: B.Pharma
GNM is a diploma degree that students pursue to make a career in the medical science field. Listed below are some of the popular higher education options available for students:
The average salary for a GNM Nursing graduate is around INR 2-5 LPA (Source: PayScale), which would increase with experience, position, and skills. GNM offers ample job opportunities to students in the medical sector. It also offers many opportunities in terms of higher education.
Read More: GNM Salary
GNM Nursing is best suited for students who wish to pursue a career in the nursing branch of medical sciences. GNM also opens various other avenues for students who can choose a career from a diverse range of profiles, like:
The Indian government offers a number of scholarships to physically, mentally or financially disadvantaged students who wish to enroll in a GNM Nursing degree. A number of private and government scholarships are available to those who qualify.
The several GNM Scholarships are given below:
Read more: Nursing Scholarships
GNM Nursing graduates should develop the problem and decision-making skills. A few necessary skills for GNM graduates are:
GNM Nursing syllabus deals with equipping students with the knowledge of several nursing methods under various clinical approaches to managing patients in health center.
Students can download a detailed PDF of the GNM Nursing syllabus from the respective college website as per the specialization. A detailed view of the generic GNM Nursing syllabus is given below:
GNM Nursing 1st year syllabus focuses on understanding nursing theory and practices. Below listed are common 1st year GNM Nursing subjects:
|
Semester I |
Semester II |
|
Anatomy and Physiology |
Fundamentals of Nursing |
|
Microbiology |
Community Health Nursing-I |
|
Psychology |
English |
|
Sociology |
– |
GNM Nursing 2nd year subjects cover topics like nursing interventions, health education, principles of pharmacology, the role of nurses in public healthcare, and more. Given below is the GNM Nursing 2nd year syllabus:
|
Semester III |
Semester IV |
|
Medical Nursing-I |
Basics of Computer |
|
Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing |
Medical Surgical Nursing-II |
|
Medical Surgical Nursing-I |
– |
GNM Nursing 5th and 6th semester syllabus covers topics like in-depth study of complex medical-surgical conditions, nursing administration principles, legal responsibilities and patient rights, and more. Given below is the GNM Nursing 3rd year syllabus:
|
Semester V |
Semester VI |
|
Community Health Nursing-II |
Internship |
|
Midwifery and Gynecological Nursing |
Project Work |
|
Pediatric Nursing |
– |
GNM Nursing subjects aim at understanding nursing practices, community health principles, application of nursing concepts in maternal and child health, mental health, and more. Below listed are a few core and elective subjects covered in the GNM Nursing syllabus:
The GNM Nursing 1st year subjects are listed below:
|
Subjects |
Topics Covered |
Type of Subject |
|
Anatomy and Physiology |
Structure and function of cells, Organization of body systems, Musculoskeletal system, Cardiovascular system, Nervous system, Endocrine system |
Core |
|
Microbiology |
Classification of microorganisms, Pathogenic and non-pathogenic microbes, Microbial growth and reproduction, Laboratory techniques in microbiology, Immunology basics |
|
|
Psychology |
Introduction to psychology, Psychological disorders and treatment, Mental health and wellness, Cognitive processes and behavior, Psychological assessment techniques |
|
|
Sociology |
Introduction to sociology, Health disparities and social determinants of health, Role of nurses in community health, Impact of technology on society, Research methods in sociology |
|
|
Fundamentals of Nursing |
Nursing process and critical thinking, Basic patient care skills, Health assessment techniques, Documentation and record-keeping, Cultural competence in nursing |
|
|
Community Health Nursing-I |
Principles of community health nursing, Health promotion strategies, Environmental health issues, Epidemiology and disease prevention, Role of nurses in health education, Community resources and referral systems |
|
|
English |
Medical terminology and language, Communication skills in healthcare, Writing skills for nursing documentation, Critical thinking and analysis of written material |
The GNM Nursing second year subjects and topics covered are detailed in the table below.
|
Subjects |
Topics Covered |
Type of Subject |
|
Medical Surgical Nursing-I |
Pre-operative and post-operative care, Nursing interventions for common medical conditions, Care for patients with respiratory disorders |
Core |
|
Computer Education |
Basic software applications (MS Office), Introduction to health informatics, Electronic health records (EHR), Using technology for patient education |
|
|
Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing |
Assessment of mental health disorders, Nursing interventions for psychiatric conditions, Psychopharmacology and medication management, Ethical and legal issues in mental health care |
|
|
Communicable Disease Nursing |
Epidemiology of communicable diseases, Vaccination schedules and management, Role of nurses in outbreak investigations, Health education for disease prevention |
Elective |
|
Orthopaedic Nursing |
Assessment and management of musculoskeletal disorders, Pain management in orthopedic conditions, Application and care of orthopedic devices (casts, splints), Understanding complications in orthopedic nursing |
|
|
Ophthalmic Nursing |
Nursing care for patients with eye conditions, Patient education on eye health, Management of ocular emergencies, Understanding common ophthalmic medications, Rehabilitation for visually impaired patients, |
|
|
Oncology Nursing |
Assessment and management of cancer patients, Palliative care and end-of-life issues, Role of nurses in cancer prevention and screening, Understanding cancer research and clinical trials |
|
|
Skin Nursing |
Assessment of skin disorders, Nursing management of dermatological conditions, Understanding dermatological medications, Role of dermatology nurses in patient care, Community health initiatives for skin health |
Listed below are the GNM Nursing subjects for the third year along with their topics covered:
|
Subjects |
Topics Covered |
Type of Subject |
|
Midwifery and Gynaecological Nursing |
Normal pregnancy and antenatal care, Postpartum care and complications, Neonatal care and assessment, Community-based midwifery practices |
Core |
|
Community Health Nursing -II |
Principles of community health nursing, Maternal and child health programs, Health education and promotion in communities, Management of communicable diseases, Role of nurses in disaster management and preparedness |
|
|
Paediatric Nursing |
Pediatric assessment and examination techniques, common pediatric illnesses and their nursing management, pediatric nutrition and feeding techniques, pediatric pharmacology, and medication administration |
|
|
Educational Methods and Media for Teaching in Practice of Nursing |
Curriculum development and design, Teaching strategies and methodologies in nursing education, Use of technology and media in nursing education, professional development and continuous education for nurses |
|
|
Research Basics |
Introduction to nursing research methodologies, Research ethics in nursing, Literature review and critical appraisal of research, Evidence-based practice in nursing |
|
|
Health Economics |
Economic evaluation in healthcare, Health financing and funding mechanisms, Quality of care and economic outcomes, Role of nurses in health policy and economic decision-making |
The GNM Nursing course structure is designed in a way that it helps students to understand surgical practices through theoretical knowledge with practical skills through clinical experience, project work, etc. The GNM Nursing syllabus course structure is given below:
GNM Nursing projects need to be submitted by students in the final year to showcase the application of theoretical concepts in industry-related topics. Below listed are a few common project topics:
