Role of the Indian Nursing Council (INC): Objectives, Approved Nursing Courses and Colleges

The Indian Nursing Council, abbreviated as INC, is a national regulatory body for the nursing education in India. This autonomous body comes under the administration of of the Ministry of Health and Famity Welfare, Government of India (GOI). 

INC was enacted by Parliament under the Indian Nursing Council Act of 1947 to give it statutory powers to regulate and maintain uniform standards of the nursing education all over the nation. From monitoring and establishing new standards to providing recognition to new courses or universities (both domestic and foreign), the INC has a lot of functions and role. 

Let’s discuss the roles of INC in detail below. 

Objectives and Roles of Indian Nursing Council (INC)

• Recognising the qualification/s of the INC Act, 1947 under section 10(2)(4) for the purpose of employment and registration in India, as well as abroad.

• Monitoring and establishing uniform standards of nursing education for auxiliary nurse midwives, health visitors, nurse midwives by conducting inspections of different institutions. 

• Prescribing minimum education and training standards in different nursing programmes along with regulations and syllabus under section 19 of the INC Act, 1947.

• Indian Nursing Council holds the power of withdrawing the recognition of an institution under Section 14 of the INC Act, 1947. This happens if a State Council recgonised institute fails to meet or maintain its standards as prescribed under Section 14(1)(b) of the INC Act. 

• The council is responsible to provide recognition to a Degree/ Certificate/ Diploma awarded by Foreign Universities. 

• Under Section 11(2)(a) of the INC Act, 1947, the council gives approval for registration of Foreign and Indian Nurses possessing qualifications from a foreign country. 

• For the registration of nursing personnel, it maintains the Indian Nurses Register. 

• Advising different State Nursing Councils, State Governments, Central Governments and Examining Boards in different crucial items regarding nursing education in India. 

• Promoting research in nursing.

• Regulating policies for nursing training programmes for the improvement of the quality of nursing education. 

• Prescribing professional conduct and code of ethics.

Types of Nursing Programmes Approved by Indian Nursing Council

Following are the types of Nursing programmes that are approved by the INC (Indian Nursing Council). These programmes are further offered with different specialisations by various institutes. 

State Nursing Councils in India

In India, there are 29 State Nursing Councils that carry out the functions of a Nursing Council for its state. The work of these bodies is to provide regonition to its nursing colleges/ universities, withdrawing recognition (if needed), conducting state-level nursing exams and admissions, maintaining the standards of nursing education in that state and many more. 

Get Full List of State Nursing Councils (along with contact details).

List of INC Approved Institutes 2020-21

Every year, the INC releases programme-wise list of nursing institutes in India. You can find the list for different nursing courses in the table below.

List of INC Approved Institutes 2022-23

List of INC Approved Institutes 2021-22

List of INC Approved Institutes 2020-21

Top Nursing Colleges in India

If you are somehow lost amongst the sea of nursing colleges provided in the lists above, we got you covered. Listed below are some of the top nursing institutes in India that you can apply for at the comfort of your home. Just fill out and submit our Common Application Form and you will availing an expert assistance to lead you through the admission process.

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