Kerala has Decided not to hold Common Entrance Test for BSc Nursing Students this Year

Despite the Nursing Council of India's mandate, the Kerala government has opted not to organise a common entrance test (CET) for BSc Nursing students this year. According to Tinku Biswal, Principal Secretary of Kerala Health Department, BSc Nursing admissions for 2023 would follow the previous year's format.

"Ignoring the direction in this regard, if Kerala decides not to hold an entrance test for admissions to the BSc Nursing programmes, it may have a negative impact on the future of students enrolled in the courses." The Nursing Council noted last month that "such a situation may result in the cancellation of student registration and the denial of job opportunities."

The state, however, will not be administering the CET this year. While the state administration has not said why it is not implementing a unified entrance exam, it has requested a delay from the Indian Nursing Council (INC). The state government informed the council that the common admission test would be implemented beginning in 2024. However, the INC has already granted Kerala a dispensation for the BSc common admission test in 2022.