PGIMER Nursing Entrance Exam

📒 Introduction

The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh is one of India’s most prestigious medical institutes. Known for its advanced healthcare facilities, world-class faculty, and research excellence, PGIMER conducts highly competitive entrance examinations for B.Sc Nursing, Post-Basic B.Sc Nursing, and M.Sc Nursing programs.

Every year, thousands of candidates across India apply for the PGIMER Nursing Entrance Exam to secure admission into one of the country’s top nursing colleges—NINE (National Institute of Nursing Education), PGIMER Chandigarh.
This blog provides a complete, updated, and thoroughly researched guide to help you understand the exam, eligibility, syllabus, preparation strategies, and more.

📖 What is the PGIMER Nursing Entrance Exam?

The PGIMER Nursing Entrance Exam is a national-level examination conducted by the institute to admit students into undergraduate and postgraduate nursing courses. The exam follows a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format, ensuring transparency and efficiency in the selection process.

Courses offered through the PGIMER Nursing exam include:

• B.Sc Nursing (for female candidates)
• Post-Basic B.Sc Nursing
• M.Sc Nursing

Each course has a separate exam pattern and eligibility criteria, but all are designed to select the most talented nursing aspirants.

📌 Why Choose PGIMER for Nursing?

PGIMER is considered one of the best nursing institutes in India, offering unmatched opportunities in clinical training and research. Here’s why thousands of nursing students prefer PGIMER:

1. World-Class Clinical Exposure

With high patient inflow and advanced treatment facilities, PGIMER offers practical and real-time learning environments.

2. Highly Qualified Faculty

The National Institute of Nursing Education (NINE) has experienced faculty members specializing in various nursing domains.

3. Excellent Career Growth

Students from PGIMER secure high positions in:

• Government hospitals
• Abroad opportunities
• Teaching institutes
• Research organizations
• Private healthcare sectors

4. Affordable Fee Structure

Despite being a top medical institution, PGIMER offers very low course fees, making it accessible to all deserving students.

5. National-Level Recognition

Degrees from PGIMER/NINE hold high value across India and abroad, enhancing employability and professional growth.

📌 PGIMER Nursing Courses Overview

Below is a brief introduction to all nursing programs offered by PGIMER:

1. B.Sc Nursing

• Duration: 4 years
• Only female candidates eligible
• Focus: Foundational nursing concepts, clinical practice, and community health

2. Post-Basic B.Sc Nursing

• Duration: 2 years
• Designed for diploma holders (GNM) to upgrade their qualifications
• Includes advanced nursing practice and research components

3. M.Sc Nursing

• Duration: 2 years
• Specializations include:
  • Medical-Surgical Nursing
  • Pediatric Nursing
  • Obstetric & Gynecologic Nursing
  • Mental Health Nursing
  • Community Health Nursing

📌 PGIMER Nursing Entrance Exam: Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility differs based on the course. Here are the detailed requirements:

1. B.Sc Nursing Eligibility

• Gender: Only female candidates can apply
• Education: 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English
• Minimum Marks:
  • 50% (General)
  • 45% (OBC/SC/ST)
• Age: 17–35 years
• Nationality: Indian citizens only

2. Post-Basic B.Sc Nursing Eligibility

• Qualification:
  • Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM)
  • Registered Nurse and Midwife (RNRM) with any state nursing council
• Experience: Minimum 1 year of work experience required
• Gender: Both males and females can apply
• Age: No upper age limit

3. M.Sc Nursing Eligibility

• Degree: B.Sc Nursing/B.Sc (Hons) Nursing/Post-Basic B.Sc Nursing
• Marks: Minimum 55% (General), 50% (SC/ST/OBC)
• Experience: At least 1 year of clinical experience after completing B.Sc/Post-Basic
• Registration: Must be a Registered Nurse & Registered Midwife

📌 PGIMER Nursing Entrance Exam Pattern

Each course has a separate exam pattern designed to evaluate the candidate’s knowledge, speed, and analytical skills.

1. B.Sc Nursing Exam Pattern

Section	No. of Questions
Physics	25
Chemistry	25
Biology	25
English	15
General Knowledge/Current Affairs	10

• Total Questions: 100
• Type: MCQs
• Negative Marking: Yes (-0.25 marks)
• Duration: 90 minutes

2. Post-Basic B.Sc Nursing Exam Pattern

Subject	Questions
Fundamentals of Nursing	20
Medical-Surgical Nursing	20
Pediatric Nursing	20
Mental Health Nursing	20
Community Health Nursing	20

• Total: 100 MCQs
• Duration: 90 minutes
• Negative Marking: –0.25

3. M.Sc Nursing Exam Pattern

Subject (Based on B.Sc Nursing Syllabus)	Questions
Nursing Foundations	20
Medical-Surgical Nursing	20
Pediatric Nursing	20
Obstetrics & Gynecology Nursing	20
Community Health Nursing	20

• Total: 100 MCQs
• Duration: 90 minutes
• Negative Marking: –0.25

📌 PGIMER Nursing Syllabus Overview

Syllabus varies for each course but largely includes topics from previous academic studies.

B.Sc Nursing Syllabus

• Physics (NCERT Class 11–12)
• Chemistry (NCERT Class 11–12)
• Biology (Botany & Zoology)
• English comprehension
• GK & Current Affairs

Post-Basic B.Sc Nursing Syllabus

• Fundamentals of Nursing
• First Aid & Emergency Nursing
• Pathology & Microbiology
• Community Health Nursing
• Nutrition & Dietetics
• Pediatric Nursing
• OBG Nursing

M.Sc Nursing Syllabus

• Advanced Nursing Concepts
• Nursing Research & Statistics
• Medical-Surgical Nursing
• Mental Health Nursing
• Community Health Nursing
• Pediatric Nursing
• Midwifery & Gynaecology Nursing

📌 How to Prepare for PGIMER Nursing Entrance Exam?

The PGIMER Nursing exam is competitive, but with structured planning, students can score well and secure admission at NINE (National Institute of Nursing Education), Chandigarh.

Here is a complete preparation guide:

1. Understand the Exam Syllabus Thoroughly

Before starting preparation, understanding the syllabus is essential.
For B.Sc Nursing, focus on NCERT Class 11–12 subjects.
For Post-Basic & M.Sc Nursing, revise entire B.Sc Nursing content.

2. Make a Study Timetable

A well-planned study schedule helps maintain consistency.

• Dedicate 4–6 hours of study per day
• Revise all topics weekly
• Practice MCQs daily
• Allocate time for mock tests and previous year papers

3. Use NCERT Books (for B.Sc Aspirants)

NCERT textbooks are the most reliable source for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

• 80% of PGIMER B.Sc Nursing paper follows NCERT-style concepts
• Focus on diagrams, definitions, and conceptual clarity

4. Practice Nursing MCQs (for Post-Basic & M.Sc Aspirants)

Solve at least:

• 2,000+ nursing MCQs
• 10–12 mock tests
• Previous year PGIMER papers

This improves accuracy, speed, and confidence.

5. Strengthen English & GK (for B.Sc Nursing)

English grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, and basic general knowledge are scoring sections.

6. Solve Mock Tests Weekly

Mock tests help identify:

• Weak areas
• Time management problems
• Frequent mistakes

7. Focus on High-Weightage Nursing Topics (for PB & M.Sc)

Key subjects include:

• Medical-Surgical Nursing
• Obstetrics & Gynaecology
• Pediatric Nursing
• Community Health
• Fundamentals of Nursing

📌 Best Books for PGIMER Nursing Entrance Exam

Below are the best recommended books for each course:

📘 Recommended Books for B.Sc Nursing Entrance

• NCERT Class 11 & 12 – Physics, Chemistry, Biology
• Objective Biology – Dinesh
• Objective Chemistry – Arihant
• B.Sc Nursing Entrance Guide – Arihant/Trueman

📘 Books for Post-Basic B.Sc Nursing

• Fundamentals of Nursing – Potter & Perry
• Medical-Surgical Nursing – Brunner & Suddarth
• Pediatric Nursing – Jaypee Publications
• Community Health Nursing – Park & Scaria
• Post-Basic Nursing Entrance Exam Guides

📘 Books for M.Sc Nursing Entrance

• AIIMS/PGIMER M.Sc Nursing Entrance Guide
• Nursing Research & Statistics – Sharma
• OBG Nursing – Dutta
• Mental Health Nursing – Townsend
• Community Health Nursing – Park

📌 PGIMER Nursing Seat Matrix (Approximate)

The exact number of seats varies year to year, but on average:

B.Sc Nursing Seats

Category	Seats
General	47
OBC	25
SC	14
ST	7
PwD	5% horizontal

Total: Approx. 93–100 seats

Post-Basic B.Sc Nursing Seats

Category	Seats
Open	62
Sponsored	5

Total: Approx. 67 seats

M.Sc Nursing Seats

M.Sc Nursing admissions depend on specialization:

Specialization	Seats
Medical-Surgical	10
OBG Nursing	10
Pediatric Nursing	10
Psychiatric Nursing	10
Community Nursing	10

Total approx. 50 seats

📌 PGIMER Nursing Entrance Exam Cut-Off Trends

The cut-off changes depending on:

• Exam difficulty
• Number of applicants
• Seat availability
• Category

General cut-off ranges:

B.Sc Nursing Cut-Off

Category	Marks %
General	85–90%
OBC	80–85%
SC/ST	70–75%

Post-Basic B.Sc Nursing Cut-Off

Category	Rank Range
General	1–150
OBC	150–250
SC/ST	250–350

M.Sc Nursing Cut-Off

Typically:

Category	Marks %
General	70–75%
OBC	65–70%
SC/ST	55–60%

📌 PGIMER Nursing Admission Process (Step-by-Step)

1. Online Registration

Candidates must fill the application form on the official PGIMER website.

Important steps:

• Register with email/mobile
• Fill academic details
• Upload scanned documents
• Pay exam fee

2. Download Admit Card

Admit card is mandatory for entry into the exam hall.

3. Appear for Entrance Examination

The exam is conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode only.

4. Result & Merit List

Results are displayed on the official PGIMER website with category-wise merit lists.

5. Counselling Process

Counselling rounds include:

• Document verification
• Seat allotment
• Fee payment
• Medical fitness test

Candidates must bring:

• 10th & 12th marksheets
• GNM or B.Sc Nursing degree (if applicable)
• Registration certificate (RNRM)
• Category certificate
• Identity proof
• Passport-size photographs

📌 Career Scope After PGIMER Nursing Courses

A PGIMER nursing degree offers excellent career prospects.

1. Job Opportunities in India

Graduates can work as:

• Staff Nurses
• Nurse Educators
• Clinical Instructors
• ICU/OT Nurses
• Public Health Nurses
• Research Assistants

2. Higher Studies

After M.Sc Nursing, candidates can pursue:

• Ph.D. in Nursing
• MPhil Nursing
• Postgraduate diplomas

3. Global Opportunities

PGIMER Nursing graduates are highly preferred in:

• USA
• Canada
• UK
• Gulf countries
• Australia
• New Zealand

With high global demand for nurses, PGIMER graduates secure excellent positions worldwide.

📌 Hostel & Campus Facilities at PGIMER

The National Institute of Nursing Education (NINE), PGIMER Chandigarh, offers a highly disciplined and supportive environment for students.

Here are the key facilities:

1. Hostel Accommodation

• Separate hostels for UG, PG, and Post-Basic nursing students
• Well-furnished rooms with cupboards, study tables, and basic amenities
• 24×7 security and CCTV surveillance
• Mess providing hygienic and affordable food
• Wi-Fi and reading room facilities

2. Library Facilities

The NINE library is one of the best in North India for nursing studies.

Features include:

• 10,000+ books and journals
• Digital library & e-journal access
• Comfortable study space
• Nursing dissertations, research publications, and PG theses

3. Clinical Training

Since PGIMER is one of India’s busiest tertiary-care hospitals, students get real-time exposure to:

• ICUs
• Emergency departments
• OT & anesthesia units
• Pediatric wards
• Psychiatric wards
• OBG departments
• Neonatal units

This clinical exposure makes PGIMER students confident, skilled, and job-ready.

4. Classroom & Lab Facilities

• Advanced simulation labs
• Skill-based training models
• Smart classrooms
• Computer labs for CBT-based learning

5. Extracurricular Activities

PGIMER encourages students to build leadership and teamwork skills through:

• Nursing day celebrations
• Sports meets
• Cultural festivals
• NSS activities
• Health awareness drives

📌 PGIMER Nursing Salary & Career Growth

Nursing graduates from PGIMER have some of the highest package opportunities in India.

1. Salary After B.Sc Nursing (PGIMER)

Graduates can expect:

Job Role	Salary (Approx.)
Staff Nurse	₹35,000 – ₹50,000 per month
ICU/OT Nurse	₹45,000 – ₹65,000 per month
Home Care Nurse	₹30,000 – ₹45,000 per month

2. Salary After Post-Basic B.Sc Nursing

After upgrading qualifications, salaries increase:

Job Role	Salary (Approx.)
Senior Staff Nurse	₹45,000 – ₹60,000 per month
Ward Manager	₹50,000 – ₹70,000 per month
Nursing Tutor	₹40,000 – ₹55,000 per month

3. Salary After M.Sc Nursing (PGIMER)

M.Sc Nursing provides excellent academic and clinical roles:

Job Role	Salary (Approx.)
Nurse Educator	₹60,000 – ₹90,000 per month
Clinical Instructor	₹70,000 – ₹1,00,000 per month
Nursing Superintendent	₹80,000 – ₹1,50,000 per month
Research Nurse	₹60,000 – ₹1,20,000 per month

4. Overseas Salary Opportunities

PGIMER nurses are in huge demand in countries like:

• UK (NHS hospitals): ₹2–3 lakh per month
• Canada: ₹2.5–3.5 lakh per month
• Australia: ₹3–4 lakh per month
• Gulf countries: ₹1–2 lakh per month

Many PGIMER students clear exams like IELTS, NCLEX, OET to work abroad.

📌 Why PGIMER Is a Top Choice for Nursing Students

Here are the reasons why aspiring nurses aim for PGIMER:

✔ Prestigious National Institute

✔ Advanced scientific & clinical exposure

✔ Excellent faculty and research support

✔ Affordable fees compared to private colleges

✔ Great placements in India and abroad

✔ Professional discipline & growth-oriented environment

📌 Common Challenges Faced by Students (and How to Overcome Them)

Even though PGIMER offers the best training, students often face academic pressure. Here’s how to manage it:

1. Heavy Workload

Create a weekly study schedule and prioritize tasks.

2. Competitive Atmosphere

Stay focused on your own learning pace.

3. Clinical Pressure

Take guidance from seniors and supervisors.

4. Homesickness

Participate in campus activities and build a friend circle.

📌 Final Tips for Cracking the PGIMER Nursing Entrance Exam

• Start preparation early
• Study NCERT books thoroughly for B.Sc Nursing
• Focus on nursing subjects for PB & M.Sc
• Solve mock tests weekly
• Revise regularly
• Stay updated with official notifications

Consistency is the key to success.

Conclusion

The PGIMER Nursing Entrance Exam is one of the most respected and competitive nursing entrance exams in India. Whether you want to pursue B.Sc Nursing, Post-Basic B.Sc Nursing, or M.Sc Nursing, PGIMER offers exceptional education, national recognition, world-class clinical exposure, and outstanding career growth.

If you are aiming for a successful nursing career in India or abroad, PGIMER is one of the best institutes to begin your journey.

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