Indian Nursing Council

The Indian Nursing Council is a statutory body constituted under the Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947 to secure uniform standards of education and training for nurses, midwives and health visitors. Its mandate principally concerns professional education, recognition of qualifications and coordination of registration standards across India.

Uniform standards of nursing education

The Council prescribes uniform standards for courses and training leading to recognized nursing, midwifery and health-visiting qualifications. Through regulations made under Section 16, it can specify curricula, training requirements, examinations and conditions for recognition, subject to the approval required by the Act.

Recognition and quality oversight

• Under Section 10, the Council recognizes Indian nursing qualifications that satisfy statutory requirements, enabling their inclusion among recognized qualifications.
• Under Section 12, qualifications obtained outside India may be recognized according to the conditions and reciprocal arrangements provided by the Act.
• The Council may inspect training institutions and examinations under Section 13 to assess whether prescribed standards are being maintained.
• Persistent non-compliance can trigger the statutory procedure for withdrawal of recognition under Section 14.

Registration and national coordination

Under Section 15A, the Council maintains the Indian Nurses Register using information relating to persons enrolled in State registers. This creates a national record and supports inter-State recognition of professional qualifications, while enrolment is undertaken through the relevant State registration system.