The admission process for BSc Nursing in Manipur has sparked discontent among aspiring students, particularly over the reduced seat quota at the newly upgraded Thoubal College of Nursing.
During the state-level counselling session conducted by the Directorate of Health Services on August 24 at the JNIMS Auditorium Hall, students were dismayed to learn that the Thoubal institution—recently upgraded from a GNM Training School—was still being allotted seats under the GNM quota instead of being treated as a fully functional nursing college.
The upgradation of the Thoubal GNM Training School into a nursing college had earlier received official approval from both the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (Nursing Section), Government of India, and the Governor of Manipur. A Gazette Notification issued on April 3 by the state confirmed the change, following compliance with infrastructure and regulatory requirements. The Union Health Ministry had also assured that the college would operate as a full-fledged nursing institution beginning with the 2025–26 academic session.
Meanwhile, the Indian Nursing Council had already published its admission calendar through a Gazette Notification dated January 13. According to the schedule, the Common Entrance Test (CET) was to be held on June 15, classes to commence by August 1, and admissions to close on September 30.
In line with this, the Directorate of Health Services conducted the CET on June 24, where 2,037 candidates competed for 65 BSc Nursing seats across the state. Under the arrangement, Thoubal College of Nursing was supposed to receive 40 seats while Churachandpur Nursing College was allotted 30, increasing the total to 70. However, during this year’s counselling, Thoubal’s seats continued to be listed under the GNM quota, leaving students frustrated and uncertain.
Health authorities acknowledged that the issue stems from the acute shortage of trained nurses in Manipur, a problem that has forced many students to seek opportunities outside the state. The Governor has stressed that students should be able to begin their BSc Nursing studies at the upgraded Thoubal College this session itself.
Nevertheless, students argue that the current arrangement undermines those assurances, leaving their educational aspirations unsettled. Many now fear that their hopes of pursuing nursing education within Manipur may once again be deferred.
