Another opportunity for admission to BSc Nursing: Vacant seats can be filled even with a lower percentile; find out who stands to benefit..

There is welcome news for candidates preparing for admission to the B.Sc. Nursing program. The Indian Nursing Council has agreed to lower the minimum percentile requirement for the Common Entrance Test (CET) to help fill vacant seats for the 2026-27 academic session. This will benefit candidates who previously failed to achieve the required percentile in the entrance examination. However, this relaxation applies only to those who actually appeared for the entrance exam this session; candidates who did not take the exam will not be eligible for direct admission based on this decision.

Why was this decision taken?
According to the Indian Nursing Council, requests were received from various states regarding vacant B.Sc. Nursing seats. The states had requested a reduction in the minimum entrance exam percentile to facilitate the filling of these seats. Consequently, the Council agreed to lower the minimum percentile for the 2026-27 academic session. The objective is to fill vacant seats while providing an opportunity for qualified candidates to secure admission. This offers relief to those who appeared for the exam but fell slightly short of the previously mandated percentile.

What were the earlier percentile requirements?
Under the existing regulations, specific minimum percentiles were set for different categories in the B.Sc. Nursing entrance examination. Candidates from the General category were required to achieve the 50th percentile, while candidates with disabilities from the General category were required to reach the 45th percentile. For candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC), the minimum requirement was the 40th percentile. Those who did not meet these criteria faced difficulties in securing admission; the Council's decision is expected to provide relief to these candidates.

Is admission possible without taking the exam?
It should be noted that this decision by the Council does not mean that a candidate can gain admission to the B.Sc. Nursing program without having appeared for the entrance examination. This relaxation applies only to candidates who have appeared for the entrance examination for the 2026-27 academic session; in other words, taking the exam remains mandatory. Those who did not appear for the examination will not be eligible for this exemption. Candidates should note that the benefit of a lower minimum percentile is available exclusively to those who took the exam. All other admission criteria will continue to apply.

What will the new percentile be?
While the Indian Nursing Council has agreed to lower the minimum percentile, the available information does not provide a category-wise breakdown of the revised figures. It is not yet clear what the new percentile requirements will be for the General, PwD (Persons with Disabilities), SC, ST, and OBC categories. Candidates are advised to keep an eye on the official websites of the Council and the respective state for further updates. Before seeking admission, ensure you verify the revised eligibility criteria to avoid any complications during the application and admission process.

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