ANM Vs GNM Vs BSc Nursing: Which is the Best Course for You?

ANM and GNM are diploma degrees in the field of Nursing, whereas BSc Nursing is an undergraduate degree course. All three courses cater to the field of nursing and healthcare. ANM GNM full form is Auxiliary Nurse Midwifery and General Nursing Midwifery. To shed some light on the differences between ANM, GNM, and BSc Nursing courses, the ANM course typically emphasizes training students about basic healthcare, nursing facilities, etc. Whereas the GNM course is skill-based and trains students to assist doctors and surgeons in post-surgical patient healthcare and cater to related requirements . As for the BSc Nursing course, students are offered an in-depth knowledge of various aspects of Nursing, along with extensive knowledge about patient care and community medicine.

The basic difference between ANM and GNM is the course duration and the structure. The ANM Nursing course lasts for 2 years and focuses on theoretical knowledge, whereas the GNM Nursing course duration lasts 3.5 years and equips students with the skills required to tend to post-surgical patients, thus emphasizing practical knowledge. In terms of career prospects, GNM graduates have a higher chance of securing high-end nursing jobs at established hospitals when compared to ANM course graduates . However, if we compare GNM vs BSc Nursing, then BSc Nursing graduates are given preference over the former . BSc Nursing students can even opt to go for higher studies, or they can choose to work as Nursing supervisors. To understand the differences between ANM vs GNM vs BSc Nursing in a better way, scroll down!

Also Read: Top Nursing Colleges in India

Which is Better in ANM vs GNM?

Which is the best nursing course for you after Class 12th? To understand this question, take a quick look at the detailed course structures and difference between ANM and GNM for easy reference as given below:

Also Read: Government Jobs After Nursing Course

Admission Process for ANM vs GNM vs BSc Nursing

The admission process to enroll in ANM, GNM, and BSc Nursing has been laid down below in detail for your easy reference:

Course Fee of ANM vs GNM vs BSc Nursing

The detailed course fee structure of the ANM vs GNM vs BSc Nursing has been provided below for all interested students to refer to. The following offers an idea of the average fee range in government and private nursing colleges in India.

Eligibility Criteria for ANM Vs GNM Vs BSc Nursing

Whether you are planning on pursuing an ANM, GNM, or BSc Nursing course after the 12th, you should know that the eligibility criteria are different for each of them. Here are the detailed eligibility requirements for ANM, GNM, and BSc Nursing courses as given below:

ANM Nursing Eligibility Criteria

To enroll for an ANM course, aspirants will need to meet the following eligibility criteria:

• The age of the student must be between 17 and 35 years

• As per the guidelines of the Indian Nursing Council (INC), the student must have passed (10+2) in Arts (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biotechnology, Biology, Political Science, Economics, Geography, History, Accountancy, Business Studies, Sociology, Home Science, Philosophy, and Psychology) and Elective English/Core English or Science or Healthcare Science – Vocational from a recognized Board.

• The student must have qualified in 12th Grade with Arts/Science subjects from the National Institute of Open School

• The student must be physically fit

GNM Nursing Eligibility Criteria

The minimum eligibility criteria for admission to the GNM course are as follows:

• The student must be between 17 and 35 years of age

• The aspirant must have passed (10+2) with English and must have secured at least 40% aggregate marks in the qualifying test and English separately from any recognized Board.

• Students passing from any State Open School recognized by the State Govt. and any National Institute of Open School recognized by the Central Govt., preferably with Science, are also eligible for the course.

• The applicant must have qualified in (10+2) with English, having secured 40% aggregate marks in the Vocational ANM course from a school recognized by the Indian Nursing Council.

• The student must have passed (10+2) with English, having secured 40% aggregate marks in the Vocational Healthcare Science recognized by the CBSE Board.

• The student must be registered in ANM with a pass mark

BSc Nursing Eligibility Criteria

The following are the parameters that a student must fulfill in order to pursue BSc Nursing:

• The minimum age of the applicant should be 17 years as of December 31, 2025.

• The applicant must have passed 12th Grade (10+2) with Science (Physics, Chemistry and Biology) and English/Elective English with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate from a recognized Board under HSCE/SSCE/ICSE/CBSE/AISSCE or any other equivalent Board. For students belonging to ST/SC/OBC Category, the required aggregate is 45% in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and English combined.

• Students taking the 12th Grade (10+2) exams in Science under the National Institute of Open School must score 50% aggregate marks

• Applicants can apply for admission only once a year

• The applicant must be medically fit and healthy

ANM Vs GNM Vs BSc Nursing Syllabus

The course curriculum of GNM is broader and comprises a detailed study of nursing equipment, hospital-based and clinical nursing care facilities when compared to the ANM syllabus. However, the course curriculum of BSc Nursing is all-inclusive, with related topics to the field of Nursing and medical assistance. A detailed insight into the important subjects in each of these course curricula has been mentioned below for you to analyze and understand:

Career Prospects of ANM Vs GNM Vs BSc Nursing

The career opportunities after pursuing each of these courses are widespread in the field of Nursing. Graduates in ANM, GNM and BSc Nursing are always on demand due to the high requirement of trained professionals in the healthcare industry. To understand the career opportunities in the field of nursing, refer to the detailed information about the list of hiring companies, salary structures, and other related data for easy convenience.

Areas of Employment for ANM, GNM, and BSc Nursing

Since all three courses are quite similar, the areas of employment of all three are similar too. However, BSc in Nursing graduates can expect to get into better organizations and can demand higher salaries than GNM and ANM graduates. Some of the places that hire ANM, GNM and BSc in Nursing students are:

• Community Health Centres
• Aanganwadi Programs
• Government and Private hospitals
• Dispensaries
• Private clinics
• Nursing homes
• Government jobs
• Educational institutes/industries
• The Armed Forces
• Nursing Schools & Associations
• Indian Nursing Council and other State Nursing Councils
• The Indian Red Cross Society

Hiring Places for BSc, ANM & GNM Graduates

Some of the top employment areas for the ANM & GNM graduates are listed below

• Armed forces of the country
• Dispensaries
• Private Clinics
• Government Agencies
• Private and Public Hospitals
• Central and State Nursing Council
• Indian Red Cross Society
• Educational Institutions

Starting Salary in ANM Vs GNM Vs BSc Nursing

Although the initial pay scale for ANM and GNM nursing salaries is low compared to BSc Nursing salary, there are plenty of scopes to grow once you have gained experience as a nurse. A lot also depends on the specialization and profession you choose. For instance, on average, a Nursing Superintendent earns a whopping INR 7.5Lakhs per annum. This means one can earn up to INR 60,000 per month going up the career ladder. Nevertheless, here is what the starting salary would look like:

Top ANM, GNM and BSc Nursing Colleges in India

Some of the top GNM, ANM, and BSc Nursing colleges in India are listed below:

ANM Vs GNM Vs BSc Nursing: Which One to Choose?

If you've completed your 12th Grade in a non-science field, pursuing an ANM program is your sole pathway to enter the nursing profession. Upon completing the ANM program and obtaining nursing registration, students have the opportunity to undertake a GNM course, which will grant them eligibility for enrollment in a BSc (N) Post Basic program. GNM graduates can subsequently opt for either a BSc (N) Basic or BSc (N) Post Basic program.

For science stream students desiring to complete their studies before entering the workforce, a BSc in Nursing program should be seriously considered, as it offers opportunities to pursue an MSc program. Following the completion of an MSc program, students can then explore further educational opportunities, such as a Ph.D. or seek employment opportunities.

Also Read: List of Nursing Entrance Exams in India 2025

For the students who completed class 12 in a non-science stream, the ANM program is the best entry point into nursing. After obtaining the ANM diploma and registering as a nurse, graduates can pursue a GNM diploma, which then allows them to enroll in BSc Nursing or BSc (Post-Basic) Nursing programs. For students with a science background, especially in Biology, starting with the GNM diploma is ideal. GNM graduates can progress to a BSc in Nursing or BSc (Post-Basic) Nursing. Those with two years of experience can also opt for BSc Nursing Distance programs. However, each student must select the specific nursing courses based on their interest and career choices.

If you have any doubts or queries regarding which of the three courses would be the best for you out of ANM vs GNM vs BSc Nursing, call us at 1800-572-877 or fill out our QnA form. Our education experts will provide you with all the relevant information and help you find the right college.

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