Post Basic Bachelor of Science [P.B.B.Sc] (Nursing) – 2 Years – Registered Nurse, Nursing Officer, ICU/OT, Community Health, Nursing Education and Management roles. For GNM-qualified, State Nursing Council-registered nurses – Admission through entrance exams, counselling or merit, depending on the institute. P.B.B.Sc Nursing is a 2-year regular degree-upgrade programme; it is not a direct Class 12 entry course.
Course Highlights
| Colleges | Colleges Total Fees Range | Main Admission Routes | Average Starting Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 429 Colleges | INR 2,965 – INR 6.15 Lakh | 2 Main Routes – Entrance / Merit | INR 3 LPA – INR 5 LPA |
Course Details
- Duration: 2 years – regular P.B.B.Sc Nursing; distance P.B.B.Sc through approved IGNOU study centres has a longer duration
- Eligibility: 10+2/equivalent + General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) + Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife (RNRM) registration with a State Nursing Registration Council; medically fit. Minimum GNM marks vary by institute, commonly around 50% where specified.
- Entrance Exam: AIIMS Post Basic B.Sc Nursing, PGIMER Post Basic B.Sc Nursing Entrance, RUHS PBBSC Nursing Entrance, IGNOU BSCN(PB) Entrance Test, Kerala LBS P.B.B.Sc Nursing Entrance, CMC Vellore Nursing
- Selection: Entrance rank + counselling/interview/assessment + document verification; qualifying-exam merit at selected institutions
- Approx. Total Cost: Government institutions cost approximately INR 3,000–60,000 in selected low-fee examples; Private/Deemed institutions cost approximately INR 20,000–6.15 Lakh among listed institutions. Hostel, mess and other charges may be extra.
- Admission Season: Generally February–September. Applications, entrance tests, results and counselling differ by state/institution. Several 2026 processes extend into September.
Top Entrance Exams
AIIMS Post Basic B.Sc Nursing Entrance Examination: National-level / AIIMS New Delhi (National-level – All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi)
For: P.B.B.Sc Nursing at AIIMS New Delhi.
Admission Route: Stage-I entrance examination - shortlist - Stage-II personal assessment/interview - Final merit - Admission.
2026 Status: 2026 cycle completed. Stage-I examination was held on May 30, 2026, followed by the selection stage. The final P.B.B.Sc Nursing result was released on July 24, 2026.
PGIMER B.Sc Nursing (Post Basic) Entrance Test: Institute-level / PGIMER Chandigarh (University/Institute-level – PGIMER Chandigarh)
For: Post Basic B.Sc Nursing at PGIMER Chandigarh.
Admission Route: Computer-Based Entrance Test - score/rank - provisional merit - document verification - counselling - admission.
2026 Status: The entrance examination was conducted on July 24, 2026 and the official entrance result was published on August 10, 2026. Post Basic document verification and counselling were scheduled for August 13–14, 2026. The main 2026 selection stage has therefore been completed.
RUHS Post Basic B.Sc Nursing Entrance Examination: State-level / RUHS Rajasthan (State-level – Rajasthan University of Health Sciences)
For: Government, government self-financed and participating private P.B.B.Sc Nursing colleges affiliated through the Rajasthan admission process.
Admission Route: Entrance examination – result/rank – online counselling/choice filling – seat allotment – reporting.
2026 Status: The entrance examination was conducted on August 30, 2026. The published schedule places the result on September 5, 2026, followed by online counselling from September 10, 2026 onwards. Therefore, as of September 2, 2026, the result is awaited.
IGNOU BSCN(PB) Entrance Test: National-level / IGNOU (National-level – Indira Gandhi National Open University)
For: Post Basic B.Sc Nursing offered through eligible IGNOU nursing study centres.
Admission Route: Entrance examination - regional merit/rank - counselling at Regional Centre - document verification - admission.
2026 Status: The January 2026 entrance examination was held on March 29, 2026, and the entrance result has been published. Qualified candidates proceed through region-wise merit and counselling according to seat availability.
Special Note: IGNOU's programme is designed for in-service nurses and is longer than the standard 2-year regular P.B.B.Sc Nursing programme. INC recognises the distance route only through approved IGNOU study centres.
Kerala LBS P.B.B.Sc Nursing Entrance Examination: State-level / LBS Centre for Science & Technology (State-level – Kerala)
For: Government and participating nursing colleges covered by Kerala's P.B.B.Sc Nursing admission process.
Admission Route: Entrance examination - rank list - centralised allotment - college allotment - reporting/admission.
2026 Status: Admit cards are available, and the entrance examination is scheduled for September 6, 2026, at Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode.
CMC Vellore P.B.B.Sc Nursing Selection: Institute-level / Christian Medical College Vellore (University/Institute-level – CMC Vellore)
For: College of Nursing, Christian Medical College Vellore.
Admission Route: Step-I assessment/CBT - shortlisted candidates - Step-II assessment/interview/clinical evaluation - final selection - admission.
2026 Status: The 2026 final selection result has been published. The regular 2026 selection cycle is therefore completed.
Three Myths Busted
- Myth: Class 12 PCB is enough for P.B.B.Sc Nursing.
- Fact: Candidates normally need a GNM qualification plus RNRM/State Nursing Council registration.
- Myth: P.B.B.Sc Nursing and 4-year B.Sc Nursing are the same admission route.
- Fact: Regular B.Sc Nursing is an entry-level undergraduate course; P.B.B.Sc Nursing is generally a 2-year degree-upgrade programme for qualified nurses.
- Myth: NEET is compulsory for P.B.B.Sc Nursing everywhere.
- Fact: Major P.B.B.Sc routes use institution/state-specific exams such as AIIMS, PGIMER, RUHS, IGNOU and Kerala LBS, while some institutions use merit.
Ques. Is NEET required for Post Basic B.Sc Nursing admission?
Ans. NEET is not the standard common entrance examination for P.B.B.Sc Nursing across India. Major institutions use exams such as AIIMS Post Basic Nursing, PGIMER Nursing, RUHS PBBSC, IGNOU BSCN(PB) and Kerala LBS, while selected colleges admit through merit.
Ques. What is a good score in a P.B.B.Sc Nursing entrance exam?
Ans. There is no universal good score because AIIMS, PGIMER, RUHS, IGNOU, CMC and state authorities use different papers, seat matrices and merit systems. Candidates should compare their marks with the current year's rank, category cutoff and available seats for the particular examination.
Ques. What is the difference between P.B.B.Sc Nursing and regular B.Sc Nursing?
Ans. Regular B.Sc Nursing is normally a 4-year entry-level degree for eligible Class 12 students. P.B.B.Sc Nursing is normally a 2-year regular degree-upgrade course for GNM-qualified registered nurses.
Ques. Which is better after GNM: P.B.B.Sc Nursing or continuing only with GNM?
Ans. P.B.B.Sc Nursing provides a bachelor's qualification and can improve eligibility for higher education such as M.Sc Nursing, teaching, administration and roles that specifically require a nursing degree. Existing GNM holders can still work as nurses subject to recruitment eligibility.
Ques. What salary can I expect after Post Basic B.Sc Nursing?
Ans. A practical early-career range in India is approximately INR 3–5 LPA. Staff Nurse and Registered Nurse roles may start around INR 3–4.5 LPA, while supervisory or specialised roles can pay more with experience.
Ques. Does P.B.B.Sc Nursing guarantee a higher salary than GNM?
Ans. No salary increase is guaranteed simply because of the degree. Salary depends on employer, city, government/private sector, experience, speciality and recruitment grade. The degree mainly improves academic progression and eligibility for certain graduate-level nursing roles.
Types of Admission Routes in India
1. National-Level Entrance Examination
Important Exams: AIIMS Post Basic B.Sc Nursing, IGNOU BSCN(PB) Entrance Test.
Candidates from eligible regions/categories can compete through an entrance examination followed by the institution's selection or counselling process.
2. State-Level Entrance Examination
Important Exams: RUHS P.B.B.Sc Nursing Entrance, Kerala LBS P.B.B.Sc Nursing Entrance.
These routes cover participating nursing colleges within the respective state's centralised admission system.
3. University/Institute-Level Entrance Examination
Important Exams: PGIMER Post Basic B.Sc Nursing Entrance and CMC Vellore Nursing Selection.
The institution conducts its own test and may add counselling, document verification, interviews or clinical assessments.
4. Merit-Based Admission
Selected universities/colleges prepare admission merit using GNM/qualifying-examination performance, sometimes followed by an interview or verification. The method is not universal and must be checked for the current admission year.
5. Counselling-Based Admission
Entrance-qualified candidates in systems such as RUHS, Kerala LBS, PGIMER and IGNOU proceed through counselling, regional merit or centralised allotment before seat confirmation.
P.B.B.Sc (Nursing) Admission Process
- Qualifying Education: 10+2/equivalent and complete General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) from a recognised nursing institution.
- Registration: Hold valid Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife (RNRM) or applicable State Nursing Registration Council registration.
- Minimum Marks: No single all-India percentage applies to every college. Around 50% in GNM is commonly specified by several institutions, while exact criteria vary.
- Academic Background: This programme is meant for candidates with a prior nursing qualification; fresh Class 12 students without GNM normally cannot apply.
- Entrance Application: Apply for AIIMS, PGIMER, RUHS, IGNOU, Kerala LBS, CMC Vellore or another applicable admission test.
- Entrance Result: Selection is based on marks/rank or a shortlist generated from the respective entrance examination.
- Counselling/Assessment: Attend online/offline counselling, personal assessment, clinical assessment or interview wherever prescribed.
- Document Verification: Submit Class 10/12 certificates, GNM marksheets/certificate, nursing registration, category certificate where applicable, identity documents, medical fitness and experience certificate when required.
- Seat Confirmation: Complete reporting and pay the prescribed admission/course fee within the allotted deadline.
- Merit Route: Selected universities also use qualifying-examination merit. Merit/direct admission should not be assumed unless the institution's current notification specifically allows it.
Top P.B.B.Sc. Nursing Colleges in India
| Top Colleges | Total Course Fee |
|---|---|
| AIIMS New Delhi | INR 2.9 K |
| CMC Vellore | INR 77.7 Lakh |
| Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi | INR 2.4 Lakh |
| PG College of Nursing, Bhilai | INR 2 Lakh |
| SOA Bhubaneswar | INR 6.15 Lakh |
Ques. Can I study P.B.B.Sc Nursing through distance education?
Ans. The regular programme is generally 2 years. IGNOU offers an approved distance/open-learning P.B.B.Sc Nursing route for eligible in-service nurses through designated study centres; the distance programme is longer than the regular programme. INC specifically identifies approved IGNOU study centres for this route.
Ques. Is nursing work experience compulsory before P.B.B.Sc Nursing?
Ans. It is not identical across all institutions. Some regular programmes primarily require GNM and nursing registration, while institutions such as PGIMER and programmes aimed at working nurses may impose specific experience requirements. Always check the current college prospectus.
Ques. Can P.B.B.Sc Nursing graduates work abroad?
Ans. Yes, but the Indian degree alone does not automatically provide overseas nursing registration. Graduates must satisfy the destination country's nursing regulator, qualification assessment, English-language and licensing requirements. Overseas salary therefore varies substantially by country, licence, experience and employer.
Ques. What is the foreign package after P.B.B.Sc Nursing?
Ans. There is no reliable single foreign package. Salaries in countries such as the UK, Australia, Canada, the Gulf countries or the US differ significantly, and candidates usually need local nursing registration before working as a registered nurse. Currency conversion should not be treated as take-home salary because tax and living costs differ.
Ques. What government career options are available after P.B.B.Sc Nursing?
Ans. Graduates can apply for eligible Nursing Officer, Staff Nurse, Public Health Nurse and other nursing posts in central/state hospitals, AIIMS, ESIC institutions, medical colleges and health departments. Recruitment examination, registration and experience requirements depend on the specific vacancy.
Career Opportunities After P.B.B.Sc. (Nursing)
| Career Option | Average Salary (Approx. Starting Years) |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | INR 3 LPA – INR 4.5 LPA |
| Staff Nurse | INR 3 LPA – INR 4.5 LPA |
| Critical Care / ICU Nurse | INR 3 LPA – INR 4.5 LPA |
| Community Health Nurse | INR 3 LPA – INR 5 LPA |
| Nursing Instructor / Clinical Instructor | INR 3 LPA – INR 5 LPA |
| Operation Theatre Nurse | INR 3 LPA – INR 5 LPA |
| Infection Control Nurse | INR 3 LPA – INR 5 LPA |
| Public Health Nurse | INR 3 LPA – INR 5 LPA |
| Rehabilitation Nurse / Specialist | INR 2.5 LPA – INR 4 LPA |
| Junior Nurse Manager / Ward Supervisor | INR 4 LPA – INR 6 LPA; supervisory roles usually require experience |
Top College Placements
| Indicative Tier | Representative Colleges | Average Salary / Placement Indicator |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | AIIMS New Delhi, CMC Vellore, MAHE Manipal | INR 3–5 LPA typical early-career range; a separate P.B.B.Sc campus average is generally not published |
| Tier 2 | Jamia Hamdard, SOA Bhubaneswar, Sharda University | Around INR 3–5 LPA typical early-career range; institution-wide packages should not be treated as P.B.B.Sc-specific |
| Tier 3 | Ramaiah Institute of Nursing Education and Research, Pravara Institute, SGT University | Around INR 3–5 LPA typical early-career range; actual salary depends on role, hospital and prior nursing experience |
| Sector | Major Recruiters |
|---|---|
| Private Hospitals | Apollo Hospitals, Fortis Healthcare, Max Healthcare, Manipal Hospitals |
| Multi-Speciality Healthcare | Medanta, Narayana Health, Aster DM Healthcare |
| Government Healthcare | AIIMS, ESIC Hospitals, State Government Medical Colleges and Hospitals |
| Home Healthcare | Portea Medical, HCAH |
| Public Health / Community Programmes | National Health Mission, State Health Missions, Indian Red Cross Society |
| Nursing Education | Colleges of Nursing, university nursing departments, hospital-based nursing schools |
Higher Education Options
| Course | Duration |
|---|---|
| M.Sc Nursing | 2 Years |
| Master of Public Health (MPH) | 2 Years |
| Master of Hospital Administration (MHA) | 2 Years |
| MBA Healthcare / Hospital Management | 2 Years |
| Post Basic Diploma in Specialty Nursing | Usually 1 Year |
| Ph.D. Nursing | Generally 3–6 Years after an eligible Master's degree |
Scholarships
- SC/ST/OBC/EWS Post-Matric Scholarships: Tuition reimbursement or financial support varies by state and scheme.
- Minority Merit-cum-Means Scholarships: Amount and eligibility vary by scheme.
- Institutional Merit Scholarships: Partial tuition support where offered; percentage varies by college.
- Need-Based Financial Assistance: Partial fee concession/support at selected institutions.
- National Scholarship Portal Schemes: Applicable only when the candidate meets the individual scheme's eligibility.
- In-Service Nurse Sponsorship: Government departments or hospital employers may provide study leave, sponsorship or reimbursement under their service rules.
- State Nursing/Health Department Support: Available in selected states and categories; amount varies.
FAQ's
Ques. What is Post Basic B.Sc Nursing?
Ans. Post Basic B.Sc Nursing is a bachelor's degree designed mainly for nurses who have already completed GNM. The regular course is generally 2 years and upgrades diploma-level nursing education to a bachelor's-level qualification.
Ques. Can I join P.B.B.Sc Nursing directly after Class 12?
Ans. Generally, no. Class 12 alone is not sufficient. Candidates normally need a GNM qualification and registration as a Registered Nurse/Registered Midwife with the State Nursing Registration Council.
Ques. Is GNM compulsory for Post Basic B.Sc Nursing?
Ans. Yes, GNM is the standard qualifying nursing background for admission to regular P.B.B.Sc Nursing. Special provisions may exist for older nursing qualifications under applicable INC rules, but fresh applicants should follow the current institutional eligibility notice.
Ques. Is RNRM registration compulsory?
Ans. State Nursing Registration Council registration as a Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife is part of the standard eligibility requirements. Male nurses covered by older training structures may have specific alternative speciality-training provisions.
Ques. What percentage is required in GNM for P.B.B.Sc Nursing?
Ans. There is no single percentage applied by every college in India. Several institutions prescribe around 50% in GNM, while others follow their own qualifying criteria. Students should therefore check the institution-specific eligibility rather than assuming one universal cutoff.
Ques. Can I pursue M.Sc Nursing after P.B.B.Sc Nursing?
Ans. Yes. P.B.B.Sc Nursing graduates can progress to M.Sc Nursing, subject to the university/INC eligibility requirements, minimum qualifying marks, nursing registration and work-experience conditions where applicable.
Ques. What are the popular higher-study options other than M.Sc Nursing?
Ans. Common alternatives include Master of Public Health, Master of Hospital Administration, MBA Healthcare/Hospital Management and speciality nursing diplomas. These are useful for public health, hospital management, administration or specialised clinical careers.
Ques. Does P.B.B.Sc Nursing offer specialisations?
Ans. The standard degree is usually not awarded as a formally specialised P.B.B.Sc. Students study advanced areas such as Medical-Surgical Nursing, Community Health, Maternal Nursing, Child Health, Mental Health, Nursing Administration, Education and Research. Formal specialisation is more common at M.Sc or specialty-diploma level.







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