What is Nursing and Midwifery?: Course Fees 2025, Subjects, Top Colleges, Admissions

Midwifery is considered a medical profession in several nations (unique for its independent and direct specialised education; should not be confused with the medical speciality, which depends on previous general training). A midwife is a person who works in the field of midwifery.

Nursing and Midwifery courses are essential components of healthcare education, preparing individuals to provide crucial medical care and support to patients, mothers, and newborns. These courses typically cover a range of topics, including anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, patient care techniques, maternal and newborn health, and professional ethics.

General Nursing Midwifery, more commonly known as GNM, is a three-and-a-half-year Diploma course in Nursing. It comes after students complete their class 12 examination in the Science stream and then further aspire for this Diploma course in GNM. This three years and half-long programme requires them to do an internship of six months. One of the types of courses that can be used as a springboard to careers in Nursing is the GNM Diploma program. In other words, GNM Diploma holders can start their career working in public and private hospitals and clinics.
The average cost of a GNM Diploma course in India ranges from INR 20,000 to 1.5 Lacs per year. It may vary according to the norms of the respective universities/colleges. Many institutions in India offer the GNM Diploma course, and admission is provided on the basis of both merit and entrance examinations.

First and foremost, any person holding a degree or diploma in Nursing, normally a course of at least three years duration, comes under the category of a staff nurse and is known as GNM. In other words, a staff nurse, or GNM, performs certain tasks as instructed by the doctors, like conducting deliveries and assisting in several other medical procedures.
ANM, however, though related to nursing, is different. Those who finish the almost-two-year course in ANM are not considered staff nurses because their scope of practice is much different; it largely involves fieldwork.
For GNM, the nurses are involved in clinical practice. An ANM does fieldwork or site-based responsibilities. ANMs take charge of immunizations, maintaining health pregnancy records, and registering other health-related records.

House visits by healthcare workers, including registered nurses and ANMs, for vaccination drives or health checks are often carried out in urban settings by the government as part of the health initiative or certain healthcare programs. This will streamline vaccination coverage and healthcare accessibility to the children and families in case of heavily urbanized settings.
Who can give vaccinations is governed by specific regulations in the country of India, especially in the larger urban areas, which vary by state policies or differing health guidelines.
Normally, in urban areas, registered nurses and ANMs are likely to have the power or the authority to provide vaccination to children by visiting the children at home. This is more common to government health programs or under the umbrella of healthcare facilities.

The ANM course is a 2-year Diploma course that focuses on giving help and support mainly to the pregnant women especially living in the rural parts of India. This course helps candidates get necessary skillset and knowledge required to take care of the pregnant women.

No, the GNM course does not require the NEET exam. Admission to the GNM course is based on Class 12 scores. NEET is primarily for admission to Medical courses like MBBS and BDS.

For the GNM course, candidates usually need to have completed their Class 12 education with a focus on Science subjects (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology). Some institutions may also accept students from other streams, but the preference is often given to Science students.

Students from any stream, with or without Science, can enroll as a student in a GNM course. GNM, or General Nursing and Midwifery, is a course of 3 years and 6 months for those candidates who want to specialize in Clinical Nursing.

Minimum requirement now being sought after in this course is Grade 12 from any stream with a minimum score of 40% in prerequisite tests. Candidates necessarily have to study English in their Class 12 curriculum as the only criterion.

Here are some important documents you should carry to complete the ANM admission process smoothly:

• Class 10 and 12 Marksheet
• Valid ID Proof (Adhaar, Passport, etc.)
• Passport size photographs (at least 2)
• Migration Certificate

Yes, GNM admission is either based on the merit system or state-level GNM entrance exams. There are no centralized entrance tests for GNM, the procedure is carried out once a year and you can sit for a state-level exam based on your geographical location. 

Know more about GNM admission and entrance exams here.

Yes, most ANM colleges in India offer admission on the merit system. There are more than 1,600 ANM colleges in India and choose the one among them offering admission without entrance exam scores. 

NEET or National Eligibility cum Entrance Test is a paper-and-pencil-based test (PBT) of three hours or 180 minutes duration. There will be a total of 180 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), all of which will be compulsory to attempt. The syllabus of the exam consists of Physics, Chemistry and Biology subjects. The Biology subject is segregated between Zoology and Botany. On the other hand, the Chemistry subject is segregated into Organic, Inorganic and Physical Chemistry. Unlike last year, the subjects will not be divided into two sections.

According to the marking scheme, each correct question carries 4 marks, and there is a negative marking of 1 mark for each wrong answer. No marks will be awarded or deducted for unattempted questions. The following table brings the structure of the NEET exam.

Karnataka Examinations Authority closes the KCET 2026 application form in 30-35 days after it releases the notification. Candidates could fill out the KCET application form at kea.kar.nic.in. Applicants are advised to fill out the KCET application form at the earliest to avoid last-minute payment failure issues. The candidates who fill the KCET application form on or before the last date will be issued hall tickets as per the schedule.

Without a doubt, an ANM can easily find a Nursing job on a cruise ship. The majority of cruise liners are fitted with on-board medical facilities to cater to the health requirements of both the passengers and the crew during their voyage. Such facilities are normally manned by highly trained medical professionals, which include registered nurses.
While there may not be the same educational requirements or licensure for an ANM as for a registered nurse, some cruise lines may accept an ANM to certain nursing positions on board. However, the kind of nursing job one might get on a cruise ship will depend on each cruise line individually.

There are numerous short online courses available for nurses covering a wide range of topics. Here are a few examples:

Note: This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.

The curriculum for the ANM course includes the topics listed below. While the academic mix may differ slightly from institution to college, it is stable across the majority of the nation's universities. The subjects addressed include Community Health Nursing, Health Promotion, Primary Healthcare Nursing, Child Health Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Centre Management. The following topics are covered:

• Child Health and Nursing
• Health Promotion and Nutrition
• Midwifery theory
• Health Care Management
• Midwifery Practical
• Primary Healthcare Nursing
• Prevention of Diseases and Restoration of Health
• Post Natal Care

The following list mentioned the top Nursing job profiles in India (in no particular order):

• Certified registered nurse anaesthetist

• Dean of Nursing

• General nurse practitioner

• Certified nurse midwife

• Paediatric Nurse

• Staff Nurse

• ICU Nurse

• Home Nurse

• Chief Nursing Office

Here are some popular books recommended for Nursing and Midwifery students in India:

• PRACTICAL RECORD BOOK FOR General NURSING AND MIDWIFERY by Dr Mahipal Singh Fenin.
• Midwifery and obstetrics for B.Sc Nursing Students by Dr Shally Magon.
• Myles Textbook For Midwives International Edition 17E by Jayne Marshall.
• Myles Textbook For Midwives International Edition 17E by Ruma Singh.
• Midwifery Practice by Jo Alexander.
• A Comprehensive Textbook of Midwifery & Gynecological Nursing by Annamma Jacob.

ANM course is the best for Midwifery. ANM course is a 2-year Diploma course. ANM stands for Auxiliary Nurse Midwifery. ANM course is designed to train students in providing basic nursing care, midwifery, and community health services, primarily in rural areas. 

The ANM course is vital to the healthcare system, especially in providing essential health services to underserved and rural populations.

GNM Nursing and ANM Nursing are different courses in nursing. The former stands for General Nursing and Midwifery, while the latter is Auxiliary Nursing and Midwifery.
Although both courses are concerned with nursing, GNM is an extended course and has broader scope of practice compared to ANM. GNM passes can go for higher education such as BSc Nursing or MSc Nursing, while the AMN graduate can study very little further.
Still, candidates have to notice that in most of the colleges GNM course has been discontinued and the candidates may opts for ANM course.

Nursing and Midwifery are both vital components of the healthcare system, but they focus on different areas of patient care and require distinct sets of skills and knowledge. 

Nursing encompasses a broad range of healthcare services. Nurses provide care to patients of all ages across various medical settings, including hospitals, clinics, community health centres, and homes.

Midwifery specifically focuses on care related to pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and reproductive health. Midwives provide comprehensive care to women throughout their reproductive lifespan.

Given below are the best Nursing colleges in India in different fee ranges:

Hope this solved your query!

There are 5,800+ best Nursing colleges in India. These top Nursing colleges in India are divided by ownership where 2,800+ colleges are owned by private institutions, 450+ are owned by the government and 360+ are under semi-government institutions. JIPMER Puducherry, Amity University Gurugram, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Armed Forces Medical College and Galgotias University are the best Nursing colleges in India. NEET, KEAM and West Bengal ANM/GNM Nursing are the popular entrance exams for admission to best BSc Nursing colleges in India. 

Please refer to the table below for the various parameters and statistics for best Nursing colleges in India:

Disclaimer: This information is sourced from official website and may vary.

Here are some top GNM colleges offering the best placement options in India:

Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body of the institute/exam.

The salary for General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) graduates in India can vary widely based on experience, location, type of healthcare facility, and additional qualifications. 

• Entry-Level: INR 2.4 -3.6 LPA

• Mid-Level: INR 3.6 - 4.8 LPA

• Senior-Level: INR4.8 - 6 LPA

Yes, but initially, you need to enrol with the nursing council of the specific state where you intend to practice. Presently, there's ongoing registration with the Indian Nursing Council, which will allow nurses to practice in any state without the requirement of being registered with each state's nursing council. Hopefully, this will become operational and effective shortly.

Yes, ANM course have scope in India for candidates who wish to be involved in prenatal care, assisting in childbirth, postnatal care for both mothers and newborns, and providing immunizations and healthcare advice to mothers and children.

Overall, while ANMs primarily focus on maternal and child health, their role often extends to various aspects of primary healthcare, community health promotion, and disease prevention. They play a vital role in improving healthcare access and outcomes, particularly in resource-constrained settings.

The salary for ANM in India can vary depending on several factors including experience, location, and the specific employer. Here's a rough breakdown of the level-wise annual salary for ANMs in India:

• Entry-Level: INR 1.5 - 3 LPA
• Mid-Level: INR 2 - 4 LPA 
• Senior-Level: INR 3 - 6 LPA

The highest lucrative nursing position bearer is the Senior Staff Nurse.
They supervises and directs junior staff nurses and nursing students to ensure patients get the best care possible. These nurses will also be in charge of managing nursing care to such patients.
Senior registered nurses are also called upon to liaise with doctors, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists on behalf of the patients. They oversee a team of registered nurses and care assistants to ensure that they work in accordance with standards set for best practice care by the hospital. 

As the global population grows and ages, the need for healthcare services increases, ensuring job stability and numerous employment opportunities in various healthcare settings.

• Diverse Career Opportunities: Nurses and midwives can work in a wide range of environments, including hospitals, clinics, community health centres, schools, research institutions, and even private practice. 
• Professional Development and Specialization: Nurses and midwives can advance their careers by specializing in areas such as pediatric nursing, mental health, oncology, and anaesthetics, or by becoming nurse practitioners or nurse educators.
• Competitive Salaries and Benefits: These professions often come with competitive salaries and benefits, including healthcare coverage, retirement plans, and opportunities for overtime pay. 

In India, you do not necessarily have to become a nurse before becoming a midwife, but many midwifery programs are designed for those who already have some Nursing background. 

Moreover, choosing the right pathway depends on your educational background, career goals, and the level of specialisation you wish to achieve. Direct entry programs like ANM are suitable for those looking to start a career in midwifery without prior Nursing experience, while Nursing pathways offer broader career opportunities and advanced specialisation options.

The undergraduate degree course in BSc Nursing is a four-year program. The curriculum is designed to shape competent nursing professionals through a unique synthesis of theoretical and practical study.
In GNM, a three-and-a-half-year Diploma course is pursued with a six-month internship. The eligibility criteria by which the student shall be awarded the General Nursing and Midwifery degree are by passing in any stream from any recognised board or institution in Class 12th by securing 45% recommended marks. Students at the completion of this course are prepared to care for individuals, families, and communities.
While one is pursuing a BSc Nursing course, it is undoubtedly much better than General Nursing and Midwifery if one wants an excellent career in the healthcare sector. A BSc Nursing degree has better potential for promoting its holder in career growth, future education opportunities, and financial compensation, unlike a General Nursing and Midwifery course.

After completing a General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) Diploma in India, there are several courses and educational paths you can pursue to advance your career. 

Here are some of the key courses available:

• Post Basic BSc Nursing 

• BSc Nursing

• MPH

• MBA in Hospital Management or Healthcare Management

Midwifery is considered a medical profession in several nations (unique for its independent and direct specialised education; should not be confused with the medical speciality, which depends on previous general training). A midwife is a person who works in the field of midwifery.

Nursing and Midwifery courses are essential components of healthcare education, preparing individuals to provide crucial medical care and support to patients, mothers, and newborns. These courses typically cover a range of topics, including anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, patient care techniques, maternal and newborn health, and professional ethics.

Yes, you can pursue an MBBS degree after completing a GNM Diploma in India, but there are specific steps and requirements you need to meet:

• Candidates must meet the basic eligibility criteria for MBBS.

• Admission to MBBS programs in India is based on the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). 

• Candidates must be at least 17 years old at the time of admission.