Planning to pursue nursing in India? Understanding the nursing entrance exam landscape is the first step towards securing admission to the right college.
In 2026, there are 4 nursing entrance exams conducted across national, state, and institute levels for admission to MBBS, BDS, MD, MS, and related programs. These exams are accepted by top institutions, including government colleges, national institutes, and state universities, as well as leading private universities and autonomous institutes.
National-level exams such as PGIMER are the most widely accepted and competitive. Alongside, exams like offer admission to top private universities, while state-level exams such as West Bengal ANM/GNM Nursing provide access to regional colleges.
This page provides a complete list of nursing entrance exams 2026, including important dates, eligibility criteria, application details, and participating colleges to help you choose the right exam and plan your preparation.
Overview of Nursing Entrance Exams 2026
Nursing exams in India are conducted by national bodies, state authorities, and private institutions for admission to undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and doctoral programs. In 2026, there are 4 nursing entrance exams that serve as gateways to MBBS, BDS, MD, MS, and related courses across top colleges in the country.
- Total Exams in India: 4
- UG (MBBS/BDS) Exams: 3
- National Level Exams: 1
- State Level Exams: 1
These exams are conducted at different levels to provide multiple admission pathways based on a candidate's rank, preferred colleges, and location. National-level exams such as PGIMER are accepted by top institutions across India, while state-level exams like West Bengal ANM/GNM Nursing are primarily used for admissions within specific states. Institute-level exams such as West Bengal ANM/GNM Nursing are conducted by private universities for direct admissions.
With multiple options available, candidates are advised to shortlist 2–4 relevant exams based on their target colleges and competition level. Most students typically appear for one primary exam like PGIMER along with 1–2 backup options such as West Bengal ANM/GNM Nursing, or state-level CETs. This approach helps maintain focused preparation while increasing the chances of securing admission across multiple colleges.
Top Nursing Entrance Exams 2026
Popular nursing entrance exams attract lakhs of aspirants every year and are accepted by government colleges, state colleges, and leading private universities across India.
The nursing entrance exams highlighted below are among the most competitive tests in India. Leading national and state exams such as PGIMER, West Bengal ANM/GNM Nursing, AIIMS BSc Nursing, JENPAS UG together cover UG and PG pathways in nursing.
| Exam | Full Form | Level | Mode | Duration | Conducting Body | Frequency | Exam Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGIMER | Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research | UG | Online | 180 min | PGIMER, Chandigarh | Once a year | 25 Jul 2025 |
| West Bengal ANM/GNM Nursing | West Bengal Auxiliary Nurse Midwife General Nursing and Midwifery Nursing Exam | UG | — | 90 min | West Bengal Joint Entrance Exam Board | — | 14 Jun 2026 |
| AIIMS BSc Nursing | AIIMS BSc Nursing | UG | Online | 120 min | All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi | — | 28 Jun 2026 |
| JENPAS UG | JENPAS UG | — | — | 90 min | — | — | 07 Jun 2026 |
These exams are conducted every year and are among the most preferred choices for nursing aspirants due to their wide acceptance and structured admission process.
Candidates are advised not to apply for all exams. A better approach is to focus on one main exam such as PGIMER, which is accepted by multiple colleges, and then apply for 1–2 additional exams like West Bengal ANM/GNM Nursing or AIIMS BSc Nursing based on their preferences and backup options. This helps in maintaining a focused preparation strategy while improving admission chancesTop MBBS Entrance Exams 2026
If you are planning to pursue MBBS in 2026, it is important to focus on the entrance exams that are widely accepted across top colleges in India. These exams cover admissions to top government colleges, and leading private universities, making them the most relevant for aspirants.
Top MBBS Entrance Exams 2026 include PGIMER, West Bengal ANM/GNM Nursing, and AIIMS BSc Nursing, which are among the leading options for this stream in India.
| Exam | Colleges Covered | Difficulty | Why Choose |
|---|---|---|---|
| PGIMER | Multiple institutes | Medium–High | Widest acceptance |
| West Bengal ANM/GNM Nursing | Multiple institutes | High | Top choice |
| AIIMS BSc Nursing | Multiple institutes | Medium | Strong option |
For most students, PGIMER becomes the primary exam due to its wide acceptance across multiple colleges. Based on your preparation level and target institutions, you can shortlist 1–2 additional exams such as West Bengal ANM/GNM Nursing}, or — as backup options.
This approach helps you stay focused on preparation while ensuring multiple admission opportunities across both top-tier and private nursing institutes.
Nursing Entrance Exams by Level
To choose the right nursing entrance exam, it is important to align it with your current qualification and career stage. Nursing exams in India are conducted at different levels based on eligibility and the course you want to pursue.
| Level | Exams | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| UG | PGIMER, West Bengal ANM/GNM Nursing, AIIMS BSc Nursing | After Class 12 |
This classification helps candidates quickly identify the exams they should target based on their academic stage. For example, students after Class 12 should focus on UG exams like PGIMER or West Bengal ANM/GNM Nursing, while graduates aiming for MD or MS roles should prepare for PG-level exams.
Understanding this structure ensures that you apply only to relevant exams and plan your preparation accordingly.
Upcoming Nursing Exams 2026
Staying updated with nursing entrance exam dates is important for planning your applications, preparation, and revision schedule. Below is a quick overview of upcoming and recent exam events in 2026:
| Exam | Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| JENPAS UG | JENPAS UG 2026 Exam Date | 07 June 2026 | Upcoming |
| West Bengal ANM/GNM Nursing | WB ANM GNM 2026 Exam Date | 14 June 2026 | Upcoming |
| AIIMS BSc Nursing | AIIMs B.Sc Nursing 2026 Exam Date | 28 June 2026 | Upcoming |
| AIIMS BSc Nursing | AIIMs B.Sc Nursing 2026 Result | 04 July 2026 | Upcoming |
Tracking these dates helps you avoid missing important deadlines and allows you to plan your mock tests, revisions, and final preparation effectively. For better clarity, you can also refer to a detailed or month-wise exam calendar to track all upcoming medical exam events in one place.
Nursing Exams by Month
Planning your preparation month-wise helps you stay on track with exam timelines and manage your revision effectively. Here is a quick overview of major nursing exams scheduled in 2026:
- June 2026: West Bengal ANM/GNM Nursing, AIIMS BSc Nursing, JENPAS UG
Tracking exams by month allows you to plan revision, mock tests, and final preparation more efficiently, especially if you are appearing for multiple exams within a short period.
Rank Predictor & College Predictor
To make informed admission decisions, candidates can use nursing prediction tools that estimate their rank and suitable colleges based on expected scores.
- Medical Rank Predictor
- Medical College Predictor
These tools help convert your expected score into a predicted rank and identify colleges where you have realistic chances of admission.They are especially useful after exams like PGIMER or West Bengal ANM/GNM Nursing, when students need clarity before counselling begins.
Using these tools allows candidates to:
- Identify target and safe colleges
- Plan counselling choices more effectively
- Make data-driven admission decisions
Overall, rank and college predictors simplify the decision-making process and help candidates navigate the nursing admission journey with more confidence.
Cutoff Trends
Cutoff trends help candidates understand the level of competition and expected score or rank range for different nursing entrance exams. Analysing previous year cutoffs allows you to set realistic targets and evaluate your chances of admission.
For example, West Bengal ANM/GNM Nursing and West Bengal ANM/GNM Nursing cutoff trends highlight year-wise changes in qualifying marks and ranks, helping candidates plan shortlist and counselling choices for 2026.
West Bengal ANM/GNM Nursing Cutoff Trends
West Bengal ANM/GNM Nursing 2026 Cutoff Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | West Bengal ANM/GNM Nursing |
| Conducting Body | West Bengal Joint Entrance Exam Board |
| Cutoff Type | Rank |
| Categories Covered | EWS, General, OBC, SC, ST |
| Total Rounds | 3 |
| Total Colleges Participating | 7 |
| Official Website | https://wbjeeb.nic.in/anm-gnm/ |
| Quotas | Home State |
College-wise West Bengal ANM/GNM Nursing 2023 Cutoff (category-wise opening & closing)
| College | General | SC | ST | EWS | OBC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brainware University | 41495 - 69326 | 101574 - 101574 | 119942 - 119942 | 101724 - 101724 | 106557 - 106557 |
| IQ City Institute of Nursing Sciences | 36400 - 80472 | 64909 - 64909 | 59206 - 59206 | 102413 - 102413 | 71339 - 71339 |
| Neotia Academy of Nursing | 36701 - 87883 | 76201 - 76201 | 69649 - 69649 | 103919 - 103919 | 86670 - 86670 |
| RMSP Kolkata | 3817 - 5590 | 7511 - 10678 | 21462 - 31366 | 9454 - 10660 | 7988 - 21577 |
| Sister Nivedita University | 59156 - 121018 | 116925 - 116925 | 113902 - 113902 | 93867 - 93867 | 111385 - 111385 |
| Techno India University Kolkata | 60963 - 112533 | 112533 - 112533 | 99580 - 99580 | — | 112153 - 112153 |
| West Bengal State University | 1292 - 80472 | 2379 - 64909 | 16296 - 59206 | 2470 - 102413 | 2278 - 71339 |
West Bengal ANM/GNM Nursing cutoff (General category, year-wise)
| College Name | 2023 |
|---|---|
| Brainware University | 41495 - 69326 |
| IQ City Institute of Nursing Sciences | 36400 - 80472 |
| Neotia Academy of Nursing | 36701 - 87883 |
| RMSP Kolkata | 3817 - 5590 |
| Sister Nivedita University | 59156 - 121018 |
| Techno India University Kolkata | 60963 - 112533 |
| West Bengal State University | 1292 - 80472 |
Tracking these trends helps candidates benchmark their preparation, estimate safe scores or ranks, and plan college preferences more effectively during admissions.
Compare Nursing Entrance Exams
Comparing major nursing entrance exams helps candidates understand the differences in level, difficulty, and acceptance, making it easier to choose the right exam based on their goals.
| Feature | PGIMER | West Bengal ANM/GNM Nursing | AIIMS BSc Nursing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level | UG | UG | UG |
| Mode | Online | — | Online |
| Conducting Body | PGIMER, Chandigarh | West Bengal Joint Entrance Exam Board | All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi |
| Frequency | Once a year | — | — |
Understanding these differences helps candidates align their preparation strategy with the right exam and make informed decisions about their admission pathway.
Preparation Resources & Study Material
Effective preparation for nursing entrance exams requires access to the right study resources, practice tools, and performance insights. Candidates should focus on complete syllabus coverage, regular mock tests, and previous year papers to strengthen concepts and improve exam readiness.
These resources help candidates track performance, identify weak areas, and improve accuracy over time, ensuring a structured and result-oriented preparation approach.
- Detailed Syllabus
- Mock Tests
- Previous Year Papers
- Preparation Guides
Using the right combination of these resources allows candidates to build consistency, improve scores, and stay aligned with the exam pattern and difficulty level.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
How many Nursing entrance exams are covered on this page for 2026?
This listing surfaces 4 nursing entrance exams relevant to Nursing for 2026. Official notifications can add or update exams, so always cross-check eligibility and schedules on the conducting body’s website.
Can I apply for multiple Nursing entrance exams?
Yes. Many candidates keep 2–4 focused applications, for example PGIMER and West Bengal ANM/GNM Nursing, so they balance a primary goal with sensible backup options where eligibility and dates allow.
How should I choose the right Nursing entrance exam?
Shortlist using your goal, eligibility, preferred institutions or states, difficulty, and the exam calendar. Comparing acceptance, syllabus overlap, and timelines usually beats choosing exams at random.
What information can I find on this page about Nursing entrance exams?
You can use this hub to review important dates, eligibility, application, and related context for nursing entrance exams in 2026—treat it as a structured starting point before you confirm details officially.
How can I plan preparation for these Nursing entrance exams?
Anchor to the official syllabus, practise with previous papers and mock tests, and schedule regular revision to improve speed and accuracy. Adjust intensity based on how close your first target exam is.
What is the difference between national, state, and institute-level exams?
National-level exams are widely recognised across institutions; state-level exams mainly feed colleges within a state; institute-level exams are tied to specific conducting bodies. Many aspirants mix levels to keep flexible pathways.
