AIIMS BSc Nursing Eligibility 2026: Age and Marks

AIIMS BSc Nursing eligibility comes down to four checks: you must be a female Indian citizen, at least 17 years old by 31 December of the admission year, and have passed 10+2 with English, Physics, Chemistry and Biology with the required aggregate. AIIMS New Delhi sets these rules in its B.Sc courses prospectus each year, and they apply to B.Sc (Hons.) Nursing seats at every participating AIIMS.

The rules look short, but small details catch many applicants out, such as how the aggregate is calculated, when category certificates must be issued and what appearing candidates must show at seat allocation. This page explains each condition using the 2026 prospectus, lists who is not eligible and covers the separate rules for B.Sc Nursing (Post-Basic). The 2027 prospectus has not been released yet, so confirm every point once it is out.

Table of Contents

AIIMS BSc Nursing Eligibility at a Glance

Nationality and Gender

Only Indian citizens can apply through the online registration for B.Sc (Hons.) Nursing. Foreign nationals are handled separately: in 2026, five seats at AIIMS New Delhi were set aside for them over and above the regular seats. They are nominated through Indian Missions abroad, are exempt from the entrance test and must meet the qualifying marks. The prospectus links the status of OCI and PIO candidates to the Supreme Court decision of 3 February 2023, so such candidates should read that section closely.

The B.Sc (Hons.) Nursing programme at AIIMS is open to female candidates only. Male candidates cannot apply for this course. Men who are registered nurses can look at the B.Sc Nursing (Post-Basic) programme instead, which is open to both men and women, subject to the conditions explained later on this page.

Age Limit

AIIMS sets a minimum age and no upper age limit for B.Sc (Hons.) Nursing.

For the next cycle, expect the reference date to move forward by one year, which would mean 17 years by 31 December 2027. Treat this as indicative until the 2027 prospectus confirms it. Your date of birth is taken from your Class 10 certificate, so make sure it matches exactly what you enter in the form.

Is There Any Age Relaxation?

No category-wise age relaxation table appears in the 2026 prospectus for B.Sc (Hons.) Nursing, because there is no upper age limit to relax. Some pages show relaxation tables of 3, 5 or 10 years; these belong to AIIMS recruitment exams, not to this admission. Follow the prospectus.

Educational Qualification

You must have passed 12th class under the 10+2 scheme, Senior Secondary or Intermediate Science, or an equivalent exam, from a recognised board or university in India. Four subjects are compulsory: English, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

Points to Note on Qualification

• All four subjects are needed: If you studied Mathematics instead of Biology, you are not eligible for this course, even with high marks.

• English is part of the aggregate: Many students calculate only PCB. AIIMS counts English, Physics, Chemistry and Biology together.

• OBC has no reduction: Unlike some exams, OBC (NCL) candidates need the same 55% as General candidates here.

• Open schooling: The prospectus asks for a recognised board but does not separately mention NIOS or state open schools. If you passed through an open board, confirm with AIIMS before applying.

How to Calculate Your Aggregate

The aggregate is the combined percentage of the four subjects, not the average of your best five or your overall board percentage. Add your marks in English, Physics, Chemistry and Biology, divide by the total maximum marks of those four subjects and multiply by 100.

Worked Example

The aggregate is 226 divided by 400, multiplied by 100, which is 56.5%. This candidate is eligible in every category, even though her Physics score is below 55%. The rule applies to the four-subject aggregate, not to each subject separately.

If your board includes practical marks in the subject total, use the full subject total as shown on your marksheet. The prospectus does not mention rounding, so do not assume that 54.9% will be treated as 55%.

Appearing Candidates and Result Deadline

Students who are taking their Class 12 board exams in the same year can apply. The 2026 prospectus allowed candidates appearing in March or April 2026, with results expected before 30 June 2026. Those still awaiting results could also apply.

The condition is firm: at the time of seat allocation, you must show proof that you passed with the required subjects and marks. If your marks fall short of the aggregate, your seat is cancelled even if your entrance rank is high. Keep a realistic eye on your board performance, especially in English, which students often neglect while preparing for the entrance.

Reservation and Category Certificates

Seats are reserved as per central government rules. The table shows the 2026 percentages.

Certificate Rules That Trip Candidates Up

• OBC (NCL): The certificate must be in the central government format and must clearly state non-creamy layer status. In 2026, it had to be issued for financial year 2025-26 or within the permitted window of financial year 2026-27 up to the last date of application.

• EWS: The certificate must be in the prescribed format and based on the income of the specified financial year, issued within the dates set in the prospectus.

• State certificates: A state-format OBC certificate that does not follow the central list and format may not be accepted for central institutions like AIIMS.

• Failure to produce: If you cannot show a valid certificate when asked, your candidature is cancelled and any allotted seat is forfeited.

Unfilled SC seats can go to ST candidates and the reverse, and remaining reserved seats can move to the General category, as set out in the prospectus.

Eligibility for PwBD Candidates

Five percent of seats are reserved horizontally for persons with benchmark disabilities under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. To claim this, you need a disability of at least 40%, supported by a certificate in the prescribed format. Your eligibility for the nursing course is then evaluated by a Medical Board set up by AIIMS, which considers whether you can safely complete clinical training. PwBD candidates were exempt from the application fee in 2026.

Qualifying Marks in the Entrance Test

Meeting the eligibility rules lets you sit the exam. To be placed on the merit list, you must also clear the qualifying score in the entrance test.

The full marking scheme and tie-breaking order are explained on the AIIMS BSc Nursing exam pattern page.

Medical Fitness and Other Conditions

• Medical examination: Selected candidates are examined by a Medical Board. A candidate found unfit is not admitted, and the seat goes to the next candidate on merit.

• Hostel stay: Hostel residence is compulsory for B.Sc (Hons.) Nursing students, so you must be ready to live on campus at the allotted AIIMS.

• Joining on time: Candidates who do not join by the stated date lose their seat, and fees paid are not refunded.

• Leaving midway: A student who leaves the course midstream must pay Rs. 5,000 as compensation as per the 2026 prospectus.

• Original documents: The institute keeps original certificates until the course is completed.

Who Is Not Eligible

You cannot apply for B.Sc (Hons.) Nursing at AIIMS if any of these apply to you:

• Male candidates: The Hons. programme is for female candidates only.

• Under-age candidates: Anyone who will not turn 17 by 31 December of the admission year.

• Without Biology or English: Students from the PCM stream, or without English as a subject in 10+2.

• Below the aggregate: Candidates below 55% (50% for SC/ST) in English, Physics, Chemistry and Biology combined.

• Invalid certificates: Reserved-category candidates who cannot produce a valid certificate within the dates set.

B.Sc Nursing (Post-Basic) Eligibility

B.Sc Nursing (Post-Basic) is a two-year programme at AIIMS New Delhi for working or registered nurses. The rules are different from the Hons. course.

Post-Basic selection uses a 70-question Stage I test and a 30-mark Stage II personal assessment.

Documents to Keep Ready

Having your documents in order early saves stress at registration and at seat allocation.

• Class 10 certificate: Proof of date of birth.

• Class 12 marksheet and certificate: Proof of subjects and aggregate (or proof of appearing, for current students).

• Category certificate: OBC (NCL), EWS, SC or ST certificate in the prescribed format and within the date window.

• PwBD certificate: In the prescribed format, if applicable.

• Photograph and signature: Recent, clear scans as per the specifications in the prospectus.

• At joining: Migration or transfer certificate, character certificate, allotment letter, admit card and passport-size photographs.

Eligibility rules can change from one cycle to the next. Always read the latest B.Sc courses prospectus on the official AIIMS exams portal before you register.