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

Shruti Chatterjee

Updated On: June 30, 2025 07:06 PM

ANM Diploma is focused on skill-based training in basic nursing care and treatment. GNM, on the other hand, caters to a larger community of patients, midwifery and post-surgery care. BSc Bursing course prepares students to be all-rounders in the field of Nursing. 

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

ANM and GNM are both diploma degrees in the field of Nursing, while BSc Nursing is a UG course. All three of them cater to different requirements and needs for patient care and nursing assistance. The ANM or Auxiliary Nursing Midwifery course mainly focuses on training students about the basic healthcare and nursing facilities that are offered to patients. In contrast, a GNM or General Nursing Midwifery diploma is skill-based and trains students to assist doctors and medical surgeons in post-surgical patient care and other comprehensive healthcare requirements. BSc Nursing , on the other hand, offers an in-depth knowledge about the various aspects of Nursing, in addition to patient care and community medicine.

The admission process to all three of these courses is fairly similar; however, only female students can apply for GNM admissions. In terms of career prospects, students pursuing a GNM Nursing course have a higher chance at securing high-end nursing job roles at established government and private hospitals when compared to those of ANM Nursing course graduates. Similarly, private healthcare facilities and nursing schools always recruit ANM graduates in high demand, to cater to the nursing care of their patients. BSc Nursing graduates can opt for higher Nursing degrees and work as Nursing supervisors. To understand which course is best suited for your interests, you must know the course structure and related details in-depth, as provided below,w to help make your decision.

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 comparison mentioned below between ANM and GNM for easy reference:

ANM Nursing Course

GNM Nursing Course

BSc Nursing Course

It is a 2-year diploma course.

It is a 3.5-year diploma course with a mandatory 6-month internship period.

It is a 4-year undergraduate course with an internship period.

It aims to train students for basic nursing and healthcare facilities.

It aims at training students for broader nursing care facilities and assisting in the operating theatre.

It aims at training students for in-depth theoretical and practical nursing roles and responsibilities in the medical and healthcare facilities.

It comprises the fundamental learning of various medical equipment, setting up an operation theatre, administering medication to patients, and keeping a record of all patients.

It comprises an in-depth understanding of community nursing, community medicine, post-surgery patient care, assisting doctors in surgery, and learning all nursing equipment functions.

It comprises a detailed knowledge of primary medical treatment and first aid, assistance to doctors and surgeons during medical procedures, coordination with the hospital staff, and briefing patients about their conditions.

It comprises fewer subjects than GNM and BSc Nursing courses.

The syllabus and curriculum of GNM Nursing are comprehensive and elaborate.

The syllabus and curriculum of BSc Nursing are broad, including various supporting topics and subjects related to Nursing.

Students with a 10+2 qualification can apply for ANM admission.

Students with a 10+2 qualification can apply for GNM admission.

Students with a 10+2 qualification can apply for BSc admission.

Admission is conducted by State Nursing Examination Boards.

Admission is conducted by State Nursing Examination Boards.

Admission is conducted at the National level or by the State Nursing Examination Boards.

The average starting salary of an ANM graduate is around INR 10,000 to INR 15,000.

The average starting salary of a GNM graduate is around INR 15,000 to INR 20,000.

The average starting salary of a BSc Nursing graduate is around INR 10,000 to INR 25,000.

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:

Particulars

ANM Nursing

GNM Nursing

BSc Nursing

Application Process

Online mode

Online mode

Online mode

Application Fee Payment

INR 300 to INR 400

INR 300 to INR 400

INR 500 to INR 5,000

Admission Portal

State Nursing Authorities

State Nursing Authorities

National and State Nursing Authorities

Entrance Exam

State Entrance Exams

State Entrance Exams

National and State Entrance Exams

Conducting Body

State Nursing Authorities

State Nursing Authorities

NTA, AIIMS, WBJEEB, and State Nursing Authorities

Counselling Process

State-level

State-level

National and State-level

Course Fee of ANM vs GNM vs BSc Nursing

The detailed course fee structure of the AHM 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.

Course Title

Average Course Fee (Annual)

ANM Nursing

INR 15,000 to INR 2 Lakh

GNM Nursing

INR 20,000 to INR 4 Lakh

BSc Nursing

INR 8,000 to INR 5 Lakh

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.

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, 2022

  • 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:

ANM Course Curriculum

GNM Course Curriculum

BSc Nursing Course Curriculum

Midwifery

Nursing Administration & Ward Management

Psychology

Health Centre Management

Medical-Surgical Nursing

Nursing Foundation

Primary Healthcare Nursing

Nursing Foundation

Biochemistry

Child Health Nursing

Bio-Science

Nutrition

Medical-Surgical Nursing

Child Health Nursing

Anatomy

Health Promotion

Community Health Nursing

Physiology

Mental Health Care

Medical-Surgical Nursing

Mental Health Nursing

Gynaecology and Midwifery

Behavioural Science

Child Health Nursing

Community Health Nursing

Nursing Education

Sociology

Compulsory 6-month internship

Research & Statistics

Medical-Surgical Nursing

--

Compulsory 6-month internship

Paediatric Nursing

--

--

Midwifery and Obstetrical Nursing

--

--

Community Health Nursing

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:

Course Name

Average Starting Salary

ANM Nursing

INR 10,000 to INR 15,000 per month

GNM Nursing

INR 15,000 to INR 20,000 per month

BSc Nursing

INR 15,000 to INR 25,000 per month

Top ANM, GNM and BSc Nursing Colleges in India

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

Top ANM/GNM/BSc Nursing Colleges in India

For GNM

For ANM

For BSc Nursing

LNCT University

Bhai Gurdas Group Of Institutions

Acharya Institute of Technology (AIT), Bangalore

KIIT University

Sankalchand Patel University

R.V. College of Nursing, Bangalore

Bhai Gurdas Group Of Institutions

IIMT University

Sree Sastha Group of Institutions (SSGI), Chennai

Sigma Group of Institutes

Yamuna Group of Institutions

Rayat Bahra University (RBU), Mohali

Swami Rama Himalayan University

Mansarovar Group Of Institutions

Krupanidhi Group of Institutions, Bangalore

Parul University

Noida International University

Apex University, Jaipur

Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research

GCRG Group of Institutions

Baddi University of Emerging Sciences and Technologies (BUEST), Solan

NIMS University

Teerthanker Mahaveer University

University of Technology - Sanganer (UOT), Jaipur

Rayat Bahra University

Parul University

T. John Group of Institutions, Bangalore

Indian Academy Degree College

RP Indraprastha Institute of Technology

G.C.R.G Group of institutions (GCRG), Lucknow

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, 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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FAQs

Is NEET compulsory for a GNM course?

NEET or National Eligibility cum Entrance Test is conducted for providing admission to MBBS and BDS courses in medical colleges in India. This test is not necessary for the GNM course.

Can someone open a clinic after completing a GNM course?

Yes, a GNM candidate can open a clinic after completing the course but it will only be legal if one is appointed by a qualified doctor. 

 

Can boys study GNM nursing?

Both male and female candidates can study this course. The GNM course is a three-and-a-half-year diploma course where the minimum eligibility is passing 10+2 in subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. The minimum age for applying to this course is 17 years and the maximum age limit is 30 years. 

 

How can I get admissions in the GNM Nursing in West Bengal?

One can get admission to ANM/GNM course West Bengal by appearing for the entrance exam conducted by WBJEEB. This OMR-based entrance test is held in the state of West Bengal every year.

How many seats are available in the GNM nursing programme West Bengal?

The total number of seats available in the GNM Nursing programme is 2817 out of which, 2692 are for female candidates and 125 are for male candidates.

 

Which course is better- ANM or GNM?

Candidates who graduate with ANM and GNM degrees are qualified enough to work in the private and public sectors. However, the GNM programme is longer in duration and more intensive in comparison to the ANM program and hence the former offers more job opportunities and growth.

How many seats are available for the WB ANM nursing examination?

WBJEEB has taken over the process of conducting the exam and facilitated the admission for the West Bengal ANM Nursing course. There are a total of 500 seats out of which 263 are reserved and 237 are unreserved. 

 

What is WBJEE ANM GNM?

Every year WBJEE conducts OMR based entrance exam- ANM(R) and GNM for admission to various colleges and institutes in West Bengal. This year’s common entrance exam will be held for the academic year of 2022-23. 

 

Can students from Arts stream apply for the GNM Nursing exam?

The question paper set for the WB ANM GNM exam will consist of questions from Life Science, Physical Science, Arithmetic, English Grammar, General Knowledge and Logical Reasoning. Students belonging to Arts, Science, Commerce as well as vocational backgrounds are also eligible to apply for this entrance exam.

 

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