Thiruvananthapuram: The holding of a Common Entrance Test is mandatory for admissions to BSc Nursing courses from this academic year onwards, the Indian Nursing Council has announced. However, the authorities in Kerala are yet to decide on how to conduct the test.

In a meeting convened by the State Health Minister on January 18, a four-member committee was entrusted to submit a report as to the conduct of the entrance test in Kerala. However, a final decision is awaited. Half the seats in BSc Nursing courses conducted by self-financing colleges are management seats. A policy decision is yet to be made as to how to conduct the admissions to these seats. Clarity should also be made in the matter of NRI seats.

Nursing Council order

The Nursing Council Secretary, in a letter sent to states on April 6, made it clear that the entrance test should be held before June 15 and the classes started before August 1. The admission procedures should be completed by September 30. Nursing admission should be done through an entrance test conducted by the respective state governments or universities.

The guidelines and syllabus of BSc Nursing came into existence on July 5, 2021, and the directions are based on that, the Council Secretary said.

The Council had informed the State that an entrance test should be held for allotting admissions to BSc Nursing courses. However, since the same was not made mandatory, the admissions in the State were held without holding an entrance test.

However, the Council has made it clear that an entrance test is mandatory for admissions this time.