Diploma in Nursing: Admission 2025, Eligibility, Colleges, Fees, and Careers

Diploma in Nursing is a 2-3 year skill-based program designed to train students in essential nursing skills, patient care, and hospital management. The course combines classroom learning with practical training, preparing graduates to work as registered nurses or nursing assistants in hospitals, clinics, and community health centers

Students eligible to pursue a Diploma in Nursing must have completed their 10+2 from a recognized board, with an aggregate score of 50%, in science subjects including physics, chemistry, and biology. The students must be medically fit to apply for and pursue a Diploma in Nursing course. The student must also appear for entrance exams, like CUET-UG and NEET-UG, which are required by many institutes and colleges for admission to a Diploma in Nursing course.

Different colleges and institutes in India offer the diploma course in Nursing. These include IGNOU, Shri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Parul University, and Symbiosis School for online and digital learning, where the total course fee ranges from INR 10,800- 76,000. The course focuses on covering different modules and topics like Community health nursing, Health Promotion, Infection and immunization, Nutrition, Communicable Diseases, Human Body & Hygiene, Community health problems, Child Health, Community Health, and Health Centre Management.

Diploma in Nursing is associated with different job profiles and career opportunities. These include Staff Nurse, Community Health Nurse, Critical Care Nurse, Operation Theatre (OT) Nurse, Nursing In‑charge / Supervisor, Nursing Educator, and Professor. Students receive employment opportunities in Apollo, Fortis, Max, AIIMS, Government health centres, Indian Red Cross, NHM, Private hospitals like Medanta, Lilavati, and Columbia Asia, clinics, surgical units, and public health centers, Nursing colleges, and teaching hospitals, where the annual salary package ranges from INR 2-9 LPA.

Diploma in Nursing Key Highlights

Given below are some of the Diploma in Nursing key highlights:

What is a Diploma in Nursing?

Diploma in Nursing is a professional, skill-based course that typically spans from 2-3 years, offered across different colleges and institutions in India. The course focuses on fundamental patient care, clinical procedures, and medical assistance in the healthcare setting. The course helps students to upgrade and strengthen their conceptual knowledge and skills of nursing to enhance their job prospects and help them with multiple career opportunities.

With the help of this course, the students also learn about new trends in general management, healthcare, and the nursing profession. Throughout the course curriculum, the students learn skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, teamwork, and collaboration, which equip them and prepare them for roles in the healthcare industry. Because of easy affordability and accessible education, the course is a highly preferred one for students wanting to become nurses.

Why Study a Diploma in Nursing?

The Diploma in Nursing is a highly demanded program among students, and hence, it is offered in different colleges and universities in India. The reasons to opt for a Diploma in Nursing are given below:

• An opportunity to work in the healthcare field- A Diploma in Nursing will allow students to enter the healthcare and nursing profession much earlier than a full-fledged degree program.
• High demand- There is an increasing demand for nurses and healthcare professionals in both private and public healthcare centers and sectors across India and globally. This makes the course of a Diploma in Nursing a highly preferred and sought-after course among students.
• Affordable education- A Diploma in Nursing is far more accessible and affordable than most degree programs. This makes education more easily accessible and affordable for students interested in studying nursing in the country.
• Hands-on training- The students, throughout the course curriculum, learn clinical skills, are subjected to practical training, and engage in real-life patient care, which helps the students to develop skills essential for immediate work and job opportunities in the healthcare industry.

Who should study for the Diploma in Nursing course?

Reasons, which include individuals who might be a good choice for pursuing a Diploma in Nursing in different colleges in India, are mentioned below:

• Students with an interest in healthcare- A Diploma in Nursing is suitable for those who are passionate about helping people and taking care of patients while engaging in a healthcare setting.
• Individuals seeking early job opportunities- Students who want to start working immediately after completing their studies should opt for a Diploma in Nursing.
• Students with a strong set of skills- The course of a Diploma in Nursing is ideal for those who are compassionate, have patience, and possess strong communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Students seeking government jobs- A Diploma in Nursing is highly suitable for those who have to work in the government sector in various nursing roles.

Diploma in Nursing Eligibility Criteria

To secure a seat in the top colleges and institutes in India for a Diploma in Nursing course, a student must meet the following eligibility criteria to be selected for further application and the admission process. The detailed eligibility criteria are mentioned below:

• The student must have completed their 10+2 in science stream with physics, chemistry, and biology as compulsory subjects from a recognized board,
• They must have scored a minimum of 50% marks or equivalent CGPA/GPA in aggregate in 10+2 boards exams.
• The students are typically required to be medically fit to apply for and pursue a Diploma in Nursing course.
• The student also needs to appear for entrance exams, like CUET-UG and NEET-UG.
• Students belonging to SC/ST/OBC/EWS categories are often given relaxation during the admission process.

Diploma in Nursing Entrance Exams 2025

To secure a seat in the top colleges in the country for a Diploma in Nursing course, the student has to appear for various entrance examinations. The details about the entrance examination for pursuing a Diploma in Nursing have been listed in the table below:

If your goal is to enter the healthcare workforce quickly with basic nursing training, check ANM Nursing

Diploma in Nursing Colleges in India

A Diploma in Nursing is a 2-3-year course opted for by students interested in nursing and healthcare studies. Hence, it is offered by several colleges and universities across India. Colleges offering this course are listed in the table below:

Diploma in Nursing Admission Process 2025

To secure a seat in the top colleges of Diploma in Nursing in India, the student must follow a few steps first. Initially, the student must meet the eligibility criteria of the course and then have to appear for the entrance examinations. The detailed procedure for securing a seat at Parul University, given below:

Step 1- The students must appear for the required entrance exam for the Diploma in Nursing course, which includes a CUET-UG/ NEET.

Step 2- Interested students have to apply online on the official website, and then proceed with the filling of their personal and academic details.

Step 3- The students then need to upload all the relevant documents and proceed with the payment of the application fee.

Step 4- The students have to check the dates of the entrance exam and appear for the exam on the specified date.

Step 5- After the students have appeared for their exams, they must check the website again for their results. Once the results are announced, they have to keep the scorecard and save it for future reference.

Step 6- Selected candidates who will qualify for the CUET-UG/ NEET exam have to register on the Portal, which will be helpful for their counseling process.

Step 7- Admission to the Diploma in Nursing course is sometimes also based on merit. Hence, students with a good academic record will be selected by the university if they qualify for the eligibility.

Step 8- The final selected students will be required to submit their original documents and get them verified.

Step 9- The selected students will be required to confirm their admission by paying the admission fee.

Documents Required:

• 10th and 12th marksheet
• Identity proof such as an Aadhar card, PAN Card
• An entrance exam scorecard
• Recent passport-sized photographs
• Category certificate, if applicable
• Bank details
• Migration certificate
• Domicile certificate

For those seeking practical clinical experience with a stronger hospital focus, check GNM Nursing

Diploma in Nursing Syllabus

A Diploma in Nursing is a 2-3-year full-time course offered across different colleges and universities in India. The subjects taught during the entire course at Parul University are mentioned below:

Planning to pursue nursing long-term for government roles, check B.Sc Nursing

Diploma in Nursing Job Opportunities in India

Multiple job opportunities and careers are associated with a Diploma in Nursing in India, which are mentioned below in the table:

Diploma in Nursing FAQs