Distance Learning Options for BSc Nursing in India 2026
BSc Nursing distance education in India is not allowed by UGC, except for one valid option available for registered and experienced nurses.
If you're thinking about doing BSc Nursing through distance learning in India, I need to tell you something important upfront. As per UGC (University Grants Commission) guidelines, BSc Nursing cannot be pursued through distance or online mode in India. Nursing is a practical and hands-on profession where clinical training and patient care are very important, and real-time delivery in hospitals cannot be traded off. One cannot learn the ability to take care of patients just by reading books or seeing them on YouTube. The one exception is the Post Basic BSc Nursing program offered by IGNOU exclusively for registered nurses who already possess a diploma and have working experience.
IGNOU Post Basic BSc Nursing - The Only Distance Option
The only recognized distance mode of nursing in India is offered by the IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University). A little twist here, the program does NOT accept fresh candidates. It is meant for the already practicing registered nurses holding a GNM (General Nursing and Midwifery) diploma.
Who Can Apply?
You need to meet these requirements to pursue the IGNOU post-basic B.Sc. Nursing distance course:
Eligibility Criteria | Option 1 | Option 2 |
Educational Qualification | 10+2 (Class 12) passed | 10th standard (Matriculation) passed |
Professional Qualification | 3-year Diploma in GNM | 3-year Diploma in GNM |
Work Experience Required | Minimum 2 years after RNRM registration | Minimum 5 years after RNRM registration |
Registration | Must be registered as RNRM | Must be registered as RNRM |
Special Note for Male Nurses: If your GNM program did not have midwifery training, you need to undergo 6-9 months of nursing coursework prescribed by the Indian Nursing Council.
IGNOU Post Basic BSc Nursing Program Details
Program Feature | Details |
Degree Name | B.Sc. Nursing (Post Basic) |
Minimum Duration | 3 years |
Maximum Duration | 5-6 years (if you need more time) |
Total Credits | 108 credits (40 theory + 68 practical) |
Mode of Study | Open and Distance Learning |
Medium of Instruction | English |
Recognition | UGC and the Indian Nursing Council (INC) approved |
Study While Working | Yes, designed for working nurses |
Duration | The program is designed for 3 years, but you can take up to 5-6 years to complete it if you need more time due to work commitments. |
Why No Other Distance Options?
The UGC has made it clear that professional courses involving practical training like nursing cannot be conducted in distance or in online mode. This stands to reason because:
1. There is a need for hands-on patient care experience in nursing
2. They must work in actual hospital settings
3. Clinical skills cannot be gleaned through reading books alone
4. Safety of patients is of utmost concern
Any other institute claiming to offer B.Sc. Nursing through distance mode (not post-basic) is NOT approved by UGC and should be disregarded. Such degrees will not be valid for jobs in the government or the private sector.
For working nurses with a General Nursing & Midwifery diploma, the Post Basic B.Sc. in Nursing at IGNOU stands as a flexible and affordable option to upgrade the qualification while keeping the job. Fresh students, however, should pursue regular kind of nursing courses for proper training. To know more, check IGNOU Post Basic B.Sc Nursing Admissions 2025: Application, Exam Date, Result, Selection Process .