If you are planning a career in nursing, knowing the list of nursing exams in India 2026 is the first step toward success. From BSc Nursing entrance exams to government nursing job exams, India offers multiple opportunities for students after 12th and graduates.

In this detailed guide, you’ll discover:

• All major nursing entrance exams 2026
• Government staff nurse recruitment exams
• Defence nursing exams
• State-wise nursing exams
• Eligibility, exam pattern, and career scope

---

🔥 Types of Nursing Exams in India 2026

Nursing exams in India are broadly divided into:

1. Entrance Exams (After 12th)

• For admission into BSc Nursing / GNM / ANM courses

2. Government Job Exams

• For Staff Nurse / Nursing Officer jobs

3. Postgraduate Nursing Exams

• MSc Nursing & specialization

🏥 Government Nursing Exams in India 2026

1. AIIMS NORCET 2026 (Most Important)

• Conducted by All India Institute of Medical Sciences
• For Nursing Officer recruitment

👉 Key Facts:

• Conducted twice a year
• Includes Prelims + Mains
• Thousands of vacancies in 2026

AIIMS NORCET 2026 Complete Guide – Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Salary & Preparation Tips

---

2. ESIC Nursing Officer Exam

• Conducted by Employees’ State Insurance Corporation
• Recruitment in ESIC hospitals

ESIC Nursing Exam 2026 – Complete Guide (Nursing Officer, Staff Nurse)

---

3. DSSSB Nursing Exam

• Conducted by Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board
• Staff Nurse jobs in Delhi govt hospitals

DSSSB Nursing Exam 2026 – Complete Guide for Nursing Officer & Staff Nurse

---

4. Railway Nursing (RRB Staff Nurse)

• Conducted by Railway Recruitment Board
• Nursing posts in Indian Railways

Read more: RRB Railway Nursing Exams 2026 – Complete Guide (Staff Nurse, Nursing Officer, Superintendent)

---

5. State Staff Nurse Exams

Examples:

• UPPSC
• TN MRB
• MPSC

👉 Conducted for:

• State government hospitals
• District health services

---

🪖 Defence Nursing Exams 2026

1. Military Nursing Service (MNS) Exam

• Conducted by Indian Army

👉 Features:

• BSc Nursing + job opportunity
• Includes:
  • CBT exam
  • Interview
  • Medical test

---

2. AFMS Nursing Recruitment

• Armed Forces Medical Services recruitment
• Nursing officers in Army, Navy & Air Force

---

🩺 Top Nursing Entrance Exams in India 2026

1. AIIMS BSc Nursing Exam 2026

• Conducted by All India Institute of Medical Sciences
• National-level exam for BSc Nursing admission
• Highly competitive (top government colleges)

👉 Key Highlights:

• Mode: Computer-Based Test
• Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology
• Eligibility: 12th with PCB

AIIMS BSc Nursing 2026 – Complete Guide (Hons & Post Basic)

---

2. JIPMER Nursing Entrance Exam 2026

• Conducted by Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research
• Admission to BSc Nursing at JIPMER

JIPMER Nursing Officer & Staff Nurse Exam – Complete Guide 2026

---

3. State-Level BSc Nursing Exams 2026

Each state conducts its own nursing entrance exam:

• KEAM (Kerala)
• WBJEE JENPAS UG
• UP CNET
• TS EAMCET Nursing

👉 Used for:

• Government nursing colleges
• Private colleges admission

---

4. NEET (Indirect for Nursing)

• Conducted by National Testing Agency
• Some institutes accept NEET scores for nursing admission

---

5. GNM & ANM Nursing Admissions

• Mostly merit-based (12th marks)
• Some states conduct entrance exams

👉 Eligibility:

• 10+2 (any stream for ANM, PCB preferred for GNM)

---

•  

---

🎓 Postgraduate Nursing Exams 2026

1. MSc Nursing Entrance Exams

• Conducted by:
  • AIIMS
  • JIPMER
  • State universities

---

2. PGIMER Nursing Entrance

• Conducted by Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research

---

📊 Comparison Nursing Exams in India 2026

Exam Name	Level	Purpose	Eligibility
AIIMS BSc Nursing	National	Admission	12th PCB
JIPMER Nursing	National	Admission	12th PCB
State Nursing Exams	State	Admission	12th
AIIMS NORCET	National	Govt Job	BSc/GNM
ESIC/DSSSB/RRB	National/State	Govt Job	BSc/GNM
MNS Exam	National	Defence Nursing	12th PCB
MSc Nursing Exams	National/State	PG Admission	BSc Nursing

---

🎯 How to Choose the Right Nursing Exam?

✔ After 12th → Focus on:

• AIIMS BSc Nursing
• State entrance exams
• MNS

✔ After BSc/GNM → Focus on:

• AIIMS NORCET
• ESIC / DSSSB / RRB

✔ For specialization → MSc Nursing entrance exams

---

💡 Preparation Tips for Nursing Exams 2026

• Focus on Biology + Nursing subjects
• Practice previous year questions
• Attempt mock tests regularly
• Follow exam-specific syllabus

---

❓ FAQs – Nursing Exams in India 2026

1. Which is the best nursing exam in India?

👉 AIIMS NORCET is best for jobs, AIIMS BSc Nursing for admission.

2. Is NEET required for nursing?

👉 Not mandatory, but some colleges accept NEET scores.

3. How many nursing exams are there in India?

👉 20+ exams including national, state, and defence exams.

4. Which exam gives government nursing job?

👉 AIIMS NORCET, ESIC, DSSSB, RRB exams.

---

🏁 Conclusion

The list of nursing exams in India 2026 includes multiple options for students at different stages—whether after 12th or after graduation. The most important exams like AIIMS NORCET, AIIMS BSc Nursing, and MNS open doors to high-paying and stable careers in healthcare.

👉 If you’re serious about nursing, choose your exam path early and start preparation now.