GNM Nursing admission in Kerala is governed by the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) in association with the Kerala Nurses and Midwives Council. The process of admission typically begins every year after the release of the results of 10+2. Government and private nursing schools in Kerala fall under the system of centralized admission, which is based on transparency and merit-based selection. Shortlisting is based on performance in qualifying examinations, and the entire process is carried out according to norms set by the Indian Nursing Council, along with the state government. Detailed notifications, eligibility criteria, and application processes are placed on official government websites to help prospective applicants.
The General Nursing and Midwifery course in Kerala is of a three-year duration, where there are six months of classroom training and internship, imparting nursing skills, midwifery skills, and community health skills to students. Admission consists of applying online through the respective portal, followed by document verification and several rounds of counseling in which aspirants are allocated to their preferred nursing colleges. Allotment is done based on merit rank, reservation quota, and availability of seats. Candidates have to report to the concerned institutions within the time frame and pay fees and other procedures to complete the admission after allotment. This kind of disciplined procedure assures quality education and standardization for Kerala nursing colleges.
Kerala GNM Eligibility Criteria
GNM Nursing is a three-year diploma to prepare students for a career in the field of healthcare for professional nursing. The course admission in Kerala is based on some eligibility criteria established by the universities and the regulatory authorities.
- Applicants should have passed their 10+2 or equivalent exam from a known board of education.
- They must have obtained a minimum of 40% aggregate marks in the science core subjects of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
- Preference is usually reserved for those candidates who have pursued studies in the Science stream with Biology as a subject in their higher secondary studies.
- The age of the applicant should lie between 17 and 35 years as of December 31 of the year for which admission is applied.
- All the candidates must be medically fit and should produce a valid medical fitness certificate at the time of admission.
- Candidates from the reserved categories are eligible to get relaxation in the minimum marks and age limit as per the government's reservation policy.
- The candidates who have completed ANM training can also apply.
Kerala GNM Entrance Exams
Kerala does not compel the candidates to sit for any national, state, or college-level entrance examination for admission to the General Nursing and Midwifery course. The entire process of choosing the candidate depends on the academic ability of the candidate in the 10+2 examination and is a merit-based and easy admission process. The process is managed by the Kerala Directorate of Medical Education (DME) through centralized counseling, where seats are allocated on the basis of merit lists, reservation, and seat availability. The process offers an open and justifiable admission process with no need for additional entrance examinations.
Kerala GNM Admission Process 2025
Government College of Nursing, Thiruvananthapuram, is also one of Kerala's top institutions providing the General Nursing and Midwifery diploma course. Affiliated to the Kerala Nurses and Midwives Council and approved by the Indian Nursing Council, this college imparts quality nursing education with emphasis on both theoretical knowledge as well as practical training. Admissions to the GNM course in Kerala are done by the centralized counseling process conducted by the Directorate of Medical Education, Kerala.
- Visit the official website of the Directorate of Medical Education (DME), Kerala, for the announcement of the GNM Nursing admission notification.
- Read and understand carefully in detail the detailed admission prospectus for eligibility, application, and dates.
- Enter correct personal information, educational qualification, and contact details while applying for online registration.
- Scan documents such as 10th and 12th mark sheets, proof of identity, a recent passport-sized photo, and a signature, which are to be uploaded.
- Complete the application form and submit it along with the accepted fee of registration via the official payment gateway on the portal.
- Wait for DME to publish the provisional merit list, which will be strictly made on marks obtained in the 10+2 examination.
- Visit the centralized online counseling process by providing your choice of nursing colleges, i.e., Government College of Nursing, Thiruvananthapuram.
- Seat post-release allotments, download your allotment letter in case of selection and read the reporting guidelines carefully.
- Finally, report to the institution posted within the given time limit, along with original documents for verification, and pay the fee for securing admission.
Documents Required
The documents mentioned below are required for GNM Nursing admission in Kerala:
- Class 10 mark sheet and certificate (as proof of date of birth).
- Class 12 mark sheet and certificate.
- Transfer Certificate (TC) from the last attended institution.
- Migration Certificate (if applicable).
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS), if claiming reservation.
- Domicile certificate (if required by the university).
- Medical fitness certificate.
- Recent passport-size photographs.
- Photo ID proof (Aadhaar card, PAN card, etc).
Top GNM Colleges in Kerala
Given below is a list of the top GNM Nursing colleges in Kerala:
Kerala GNM Admission FAQs
Can non-Kerala state students apply for admission to GNM Nursing in Kerala?
Yes, non-Kerala students are eligible to apply for the GNM course conducted in the state's nursing colleges. As Kerala follows a reservation policy to offer weight to local candidates, domicile students are usually given preference while filling seats. Out-of-state students have to follow the official admission regulations annually to understand whether seats are open for non-Kerala candidates and what else has to be provided for the establishment of eligibility.
Is there a provision for lateral entry into the GNM Nursing course in Kerala?
At present, there are no lateral entry provisions in Kerala by which students can enter the GNM course in the second year or in the third year. Any student must enter the full three-year diploma course from the first year. This is done to give integrated training and as per guidelines of the Indian Nursing Council and Kerala Nurses and Midwives Council, which regulate nursing education in Kerala.
How does the Kerala Nurses and Midwives Council contribute to GNM Nursing admissions?
The Kerala Nurses and Midwives Council is the regulating authority that approves courses in nursing, such as GNM, in the state. Although it is not responsible for the admission process, it verifies that all nursing colleges maintain stringent curriculum standards, are provided with necessary infrastructure, and maintain quality education. Registration of course-finished qualified nurses is also handled by the Council.
Is it possible for a Science degree other than Biology graduates to apply for GNM?
Although the course curriculum of GNM is largely based on biological sciences, candidates who have done science subjects other than Biology in the 10+2 examination can also apply if they meet the minimum criteria, especially the aggregate marks. These candidates should, however, be prepared to undertake additional self-study or coaching to understand the biological principles needed for clinical practice and patient care.
Are there any scholarships or financial aid available specifically for GNM students in Kerala?
There are different scholarship schemes for students of nursing in Kerala, including those pursuing the GNM diploma course. Scholarships may be merit-based, requirement-based, or meant for applicants belonging to specific groups such as SC/ST/OBC. The government organisations, as well as private entities, offer scholarships, and students must approach their colleges as well as the Directorate of Medical Education to find out about the existing scholarship schemes as well as how to avail themselves of them.
How long is the validity period of admission after a GNM seat is reserved?
Once a seat is assigned to a candidate, the candidate has to finish the admission process within the stipulated time mentioned in the counselling result letter. The time usually ranges between 3–7 days. If a candidate does not report or submit necessary documents within the time, the seat is deemed to be forfeited and is transferred to the next available candidate in the subsequent round.
How significant is the medical fitness certificate for GNM admission, and what does it comprise?
A medical fitness certificate is also one of the important requirements for the GNM admission process because it ensures that the candidate is physically and mentally fit to pursue the demanding nursing course and clinical workloads. This certificate generally consists of vision, hearing, general physical health, and communicable disease screening tests to ensure the safety of the student and patients during clinical training.
Whether a student of GNM can transfer from one nursing college to another in Kerala?
Transfers among colleges during the period of the GNM course are not permitted except on rare occasions, such as a change in residence or compelling health grounds. Transfer application must be made in writing and is liable to approval from both the Directorate of Medical Education and the Kerala Nurses and Midwives Council. The approval process is stringent to maintain academic standards and continuity of training.
