Auxiliary Nursing Midwifery [ANM] (Nursing) – 2 Years – Community health, maternal-child care, midwifery & primary care. Open to eligible 10+2 Arts/Science/Healthcare Science-Vocational students – Admission through state entrance exams or merit/counselling.
Course Highlight
| Colleges | Average Fees (approx.) | Duration | Major Subjects | Average Starting Salary (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 344 listed colleges | INR 35K – INR 1.85 lakh+ | 2 Years | 6 major subject areas | INR 15,000 – INR 25,000/month |
Quick Facts
- Duration: 2 years; includes substantial practical/clinical training. The INC syllabus structure includes 18 months of study/training plus 6 months of internship.
- Eligibility: 10+2 pass in eligible arts subjects with English core/elective, science, or healthcare science-vocational. NIOS Arts/Science is accepted. INC does not prescribe a universal minimum percentage for ANM; state/institute rules may add one. Age generally 17–35 years.
- Entrance Exams: WBJEEB ANM(R) & GNM, Jharkhand ANM Entrance Competitive Examination, Manipur ANM Entrance Examination, Meghalaya CEE; varies by state.
- Selection: State entrance rank + counselling, 10+2 merit + counselling, or institute-level test/merit where applicable.
- Approx. Total Cost: Government- roughly INR 10K–50K in lower-fee/state-run options; Private- roughly INR 40K–3 lakh+ depending on the institute.
- Admission Season: Applications generally run from March to August; entrance exams are mainly held from June to August where used; counselling/admissions mainly run from July to September. The exact schedule is state-specific.
Top Entrance Exams
WBJEEB ANM(R) & GNM 2026: State / West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations Board (State-level – WBJEEB)
For: Participating ANM(R) colleges/institutes in West Bengal for the 2026-27 session.
Admission Route: Entrance exam - rank/GMR - online counselling and choice filling - seat allotment - reporting.
2026 Status: Exam held on June 14, 2026. Registration was March 25–April 22. Online counselling registration and choice filling have started as of August 17, 2026.
Jharkhand ANM Entrance Competitive Examination 2026: State / Jharkhand Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board (State-level – JCECEB)
For: ANM seats in nursing institutions notified for Jharkhand's 2026-27 session.
Admission Route: Entrance exam - merit/rank - state counselling - institute allotment - document verification.
2026 Status: Applications ran July 16–August 9; correction was August 10–11. The exam is scheduled for August 23, 2026. Applications are closed as of August 17.
Manipur ANM Entrance Examination 2026: State / Directorate of Medical Education, Government of Manipur (State-level – DME Manipur)
For: ANM seats covered by the state selection and counselling process in Manipur.
Admission Route: Entrance examination - result/merit - counselling - document verification - seat selection.
2026 Status: ANM result was declared on June 19, 2026. Round 1 counselling was held on July 25, 2026, for all ANM exam candidates; subsequent rounds depend on further notification.
Meghalaya Common State Entrance Examination for GNM & ANM 2026: State / Directorate of Health Services Medical Education & Research (State-level – DME Meghalaya)
For: State Government quota ANM seats in Meghalaya.
Admission Route: CEE - entrance merit - counselling - document verification - admission.
2026 Status: Applications were June 30–July 15, and the examination was held on August 1, 2026. The notified schedule states that result and counselling dates will be announced separately.
Three Myths Busted
- Myth: ANM is only for Science/PCB students. Eligible Arts students with the prescribed subjects and English, Science students, and Healthcare Science-Vocational students can apply under INC eligibility.
- Myth: NEET is compulsory for ANM. There is no single national NEET-based ANM admission route; 2026 admissions include separate state examinations and merit-based counselling.
- Myth: ANM offers several formal specialisations. ANM is primarily one general diploma covering community health, primary healthcare, child health, health promotion, midwifery and health-centre management.
Ques. Can an Arts student apply for ANM Nursing?
Ans. Yes. Eligible Arts candidates can apply if their 10+2 combination meets INC requirements, including English Core/Elective. Science and Healthcare Science-Vocational candidates are also eligible.
Ques. Is PCB compulsory for ANM?
Ans. No. Physics, Chemistry and Biology are not universally compulsory for ANM under INC eligibility. This is different from Basic B.Sc Nursing, for which PCB and English are required.
Ques. What percentage is required in Class 12 for ANM?
Ans. INC's ANM eligibility page specifies a 10+2 pass but does not state a universal minimum percentage. Individual states or institutes may set their own marks criteria; students should follow the applicable 2026-27 prospectus.
Ques. What is the ANM age limit?
Ans. The standard INC eligibility is a minimum age of 17 years and a maximum age of 35 years for admission. State-specific relaxations may apply to particular categories.
Ques. Is ANM Nursing only for female candidates?
Ans. The national INC eligibility page does not present a single gender condition for every admission system, but several states specifically restrict ANM admission to women. Jharkhand and Meghalaya explicitly restrict their 2026 ANM admissions to female candidates, so the relevant state prospectus must be checked.
Ques. Is NEET required for ANM admission in 2026?
Ans. No common NEET-based ANM route has been prescribed nationally. Major 2026 admission systems include separate state exams such as WBJEEB ANM(R) & GNM, Jharkhand ANM Entrance, Manipur ANM Entrance and Meghalaya CEE, while states such as Odisha use merit/counselling.
Types of Admission Routes in India
- State-Level Entrance Examination
- Major 2026 examples include WBJEEB ANM(R) & GNM, Jharkhand ANM Entrance Examination, Manipur ANM Entrance Examination and Meghalaya CEE. These examinations primarily allocate seats within the respective state system.
- Merit-Based Admission
- Some states prepare ANM merit lists from the qualifying examination rather than conducting a separate ANM entrance test. Odisha's 2026-27 ANM process published a provisional/revised merit list followed by seat allotment.
- Institute-Level Entrance/Test or Merit
- Some private universities use their own application, test or merit process where state regulations permit. Bareilly International University lists ANM selection through a test followed by preparation of a merit/admission list.
- Counselling-Based Admission
- Entrance or merit-qualified candidates may need centralised choice filling and seat allotment. West Bengal currently uses e-counselling, while Odisha's 2026 ANM process has already reached first-round seat allotment.
ANM (Nursing) Admission Process
1. Qualifying Examination: Class 12/10+2 from a recognised board. INC does not prescribe one universal minimum ANM percentage; states and institutes may impose additional marks criteria.
2. Eligible Academic Background: Eligible Arts subjects with English Core/Elective, Science, or Healthcare Science-Vocational are accepted under INC norms. NIOS Arts/Science candidates are also eligible.
3. Age & Medical Eligibility: Normally 17 years minimum and 35 years maximum at admission, with medical fitness required. State-specific exceptions or relaxations may apply.
4. Entrance Exam, Where Applicable: Apply for the relevant state examination, such as WBJEEB ANM(R) & GNM, Jharkhand ANM Entrance, Manipur ANM Entrance or Meghalaya CEE.
5. Result / Merit List: Entrance states publish rank/merit results. Merit-based systems may instead prepare the list using qualifying-exam performance; Odisha published ANM merit lists for 2026-27.
6. Counselling / College Application: Register for centralised counselling and fill in college choices where required. Institute-level candidates follow the respective university application/test process.
7. Document Verification: Common documents include Class 10 age proof, Class 12 marksheet, admit card/rank details where applicable, domicile, category certificate, photo ID and medical fitness documents. Manipur's 2026 counselling specifically requires a domicile, a category certificate, a Class X certificate, a Class XII marksheet and an entrance admit card.
8. Seat Confirmation: Accept/freeze the allotted seat, complete verification and pay the prescribed admission/part-course fee. Odisha's first-round 2026 allotment requires payment and freeze/float selection by August 26.
9. Merit / Institute-Level Examples
- Odisha: Centralised ANM merit list + counselling.
- Bareilly International University: Test followed by merit/admission list for ANM.
- Noida International University: ANM is listed for 2026-27 with 10+2-based eligibility; admission remains subject to university and nursing-regulatory requirements.
ANM (Nursing) Colleges in India
| Top Colleges | Total Course Fee |
|---|---|
| St. Mary's College of Nursing, Lucknow | INR 1.28 lakh |
| Ashoka Institute of Nursing, Patiala | INR 57.5 K |
| National Institute of Nursing, Sangrur | INR 60 K |
| Aurovindo College of Nursing, Bhopal | INR 80 K |
| IIMT College of Medical Science, Meerut | INR 80.5 K |
| Holy Cross College of Nursing, Chamarajnagar | INR 40 K |
| Florence College of Nursing, Ranchi | INR 1.35 lakh |
Career Opportunities After ANM (Nursing)
| Career Option | Average Salary – Approx. Starting Years |
|---|---|
| Auxiliary Nurse Midwife / Female Health Worker | INR 1.8 LPA – INR 3 LPA |
| Community Health Worker | INR 1.8 LPA – INR 3.2 LPA |
| Maternal & Child Health Assistant | INR 1.8 LPA – INR 3.2 LPA |
| Home Healthcare Nurse / Assistant | INR 2 LPA – INR 3.4 LPA |
| Nursing Assistant | INR 1.8 LPA – INR 2.8 LPA |
| Rural Health Worker | INR 1.8 LPA – INR 3 LPA |
| Immunisation / Vaccination Worker | INR 1.8 LPA – INR 3.2 LPA |
| Clinic / Nursing Home Assistant | INR 1.8 LPA – INR 3 LPA |
| NGO Field Health Worker | INR 2 LPA – INR 3.5 LPA |
| Maternity Care Assistant | INR 2 LPA – INR 3.4 LPA |
Ques. Which is better for career growth: ANM or B.Sc Nursing?
Ans. ANM offers a faster 2-year entry into community and basic healthcare roles. Basic B.Sc Nursing is a 4-year degree with broader registered-nurse education, but requires 10+2 Science with PCB and English and at least 45% aggregate under INC eligibility.
Ques. Can I study GNM after ANM?
Ans. Yes. INC eligibility explicitly recognises a registered ANM with pass mark as eligible for GNM. A separate ANM-to-GNM Two-Year Bridge Programme has also been framed under INC regulations.
Ques. Can I do B.Sc Nursing directly after ANM?
Ans. ANM itself does not provide automatic lateral entry into Basic B.Sc Nursing. A candidate may apply to the 4-year basic B.Sc. Nursing course only if the independent 10+2 PCB + English eligibility is satisfied; the more structured progression is often ANM - GNM - Post Basic B.Sc Nursing.
Ques. Does ANM have specialisations?
Ans. ANM generally does not have formal admission-level specialisations. Its main study areas include Community Health Nursing, Primary Healthcare Nursing, Health Promotion, Child Health Nursing, Midwifery and Health Care Management.
Ques. Can an ANM graduate work abroad, and what is the foreign package?
Ans. There is no reliable single “foreign package” for ANM graduates. Overseas nursing practice depends on the destination country's qualification assessment, registration, English-language and competency requirements; for example, the UK requires overseas applicants to complete its registration process, and Australia separately assesses internationally qualified nurses and their qualification level.
Ques. What documents are generally required for ANM counselling?
Ans. Students commonly need Class 10 age proof, Class 12 marksheet, entrance admit card/rank details where applicable, domicile certificate, caste/category certificate where applicable, identity documents and medical fitness documents. Exact requirements vary by state; Manipur's 2026 counselling notice specifically lists domicile, category certificate, Class X certificate, Class XII marksheet and entrance admit card.
Top College Placements
| Indicative Tier | College | Average Salary – Approx. Starting Years |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | St. Mary's College of Nursing, Lucknow | ANM-specific average not separately published; market starting range about INR 1.8–3 LPA |
| Tier 2 | Aurovindo College of Nursing, Bhopal | ANM-specific average not separately published; market starting range about INR 1.8–3 LPA |
| Tier 3 | Ashoka Institute of Nursing, Patiala | ANM-specific average not separately published; market starting range about INR 1.8–3 LPA |
Popular Specialisation
| Focus Area – Not a Formal Specialisation | Core Learning | Typical Work Domain |
|---|---|---|
| Community Health | Community health nursing, health education | Sub-centres, community programmes, rural health |
| Maternal & Child Health | Child health, antenatal/postnatal care | Maternity centres, maternal-child programmes |
| Midwifery & Primary Care | Midwifery, primary health care, health-centre management | Primary healthcare and maternity settings |
Top Recruiters
| Sector | Major Recruiters / Employers |
|---|---|
| Government Organisations | State Health Departments, National Health Mission programmes, district hospitals, Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres |
| Private Hospitals | Max Healthcare, Apollo Hospitals and other private hospital groups; ANM eligibility varies by vacancy |
| Home Healthcare | Apollo HomeCare, Max@Home and regional home-health providers; role-specific qualification requirements apply |
| Nursing Homes & Maternity Centres | Nursing homes, maternity hospitals, mother-and-child clinics, primary-care clinics |
| NGOs / Public Health | NGOs working in maternal health, child health, reproductive health and community outreach; eligibility varies by project |
| Community Health Programmes | Government-contracted health projects, urban/rural health programmes, vaccination and outreach programmes |
Higher Education Options
| Course | Duration |
|---|---|
| ANM-to-GNM Bridge Programme | 2 Years |
| General Nursing and Midwifery – GNM | 3 Years; Registered ANM is an eligible entry category |
| B.Sc Nursing – Basic, if PCB + English eligibility is independently met | 4 Years |
| Post Basic B.Sc Nursing – after GNM + RN/RM registration | 2 Years |
| M.Sc Nursing – after eligible B.Sc/Post Basic B.Sc Nursing pathway | 2 Years |
Scholarships
- Central merit/welfare scholarships: Eligible students can apply to schemes available for the 2026-27 academic year where diploma-level study is covered; scheme-specific income, marks and category rules apply.
- State post-matric scholarships: SC/ST/OBC/EWS and other eligible categories; amount and eligibility vary by state.
- Minority welfare scholarships: Where the relevant central/state scheme covers the student's course and institution.
- Institute merit scholarships: Tuition concessions or merit awards where offered; the percentage varies by institution.
- Need-based fee concessions: For economically weaker students where the institute/state provides such support.
- Girl-student/women-focused schemes: Available under selected state, institutional or welfare programmes; not universal across ANM colleges.
FAQ’s
Ques. What is the duration of ANM Nursing in India?
Ans. ANM is a 2-year diploma. The INC syllabus structure provides for 18 months of training plus a 6-month internship component.
Ques. Which ANM entrance exams are important in 2026?
Ans. Important verified examinations include WBJEEB ANM(R) & GNM, Jharkhand ANM Entrance Competitive Examination, Manipur ANM Entrance Examination and Meghalaya Common State Entrance Examination for GNM/ANM. There is no single all-India ANM exam applicable to every college.
Ques. What is the current ANM admission status for 2026?
Ans. As of August 17, 2026, West Bengal counselling has started; Jharkhand's ANM examination is scheduled for August 23; Manipur has completed its first counselling round; Odisha has issued the first-round allotment; Meghalaya conducted its entrance exam on August 1, with subsequent results/counselling notifications awaited in the verified notice set.
Ques. How much does ANM Nursing cost?
Ans. Fees vary sharply by institute. Current listed examples include INR 40,000 total at UPUMS, INR 45,000 at Shankersinh Vaghela Bapu Institute of Nursing, INR 57,500 at Ashoka Institute of Nursing and INR 60,000 at NINS Sangrur; hostel, examination and other charges may be separate.
Ques. What salary can a fresher expect after ANM?
Ans. A realistic broad starting range is about INR 15,000–25,000 per month, or roughly INR 1.8–3 LPA. Government recruitment pay, contractual remuneration, location and employer can produce different figures.
Ques. Can ANM graduates get government jobs?
Ans. Yes. Common work settings include government health centres, public-health programmes and community healthcare. Actual recruitment is vacancy-based and may require state nursing registration, domicile/category conditions, examination or document verification.
Ques. What is the difference between ANM and GNM?
Ans. ANM is a 2-year diploma with a strong emphasis on community health, primary care and maternal-child services. GNM is a broader 3-year nursing programme, and registered ANMs are specifically listed among eligible GNM entry categories under INC norms.
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