Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 30, 2026

The Diploma in Nursing, commonly known as General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM), at the Government College of Nursing (GCN), Kottayam is a 3-year full-time programme (plus 6 months of internship) affiliated to the Kerala Nurses and Midwives Council and Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS). The Government College of Nursing, Kottayam is attached to Government Medical College Hospital, Kottayam, providing students with extensive clinical training in one of Kerala's premier tertiary care hospitals. The programme has 30 seats and is offered at a highly subsidised fee of Rs. 5,295 per year, exclusively for SC/ST candidates in the government college quota. Admission is conducted through the LBS Centre for Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram. The GNM programme is popular for its strong clinical training, government employment prospects, and the prestige of being associated with GMC Kottayam.

Admissions for the 2026-27 academic year are expected to open tentatively around May-June 2026 through the LBS Centre portal (lbscentre.in), based on the 2025-26 admission cycle pattern. The 2025-26 batch admission process has been completed. Candidates are advised to monitor the LBS Centre official website for the 2026-27 notification.

Key Points

The GNM programme at Government College of Nursing, Kottayam is exclusively for SC/ST candidates in the government college quota, as per the official DME Kerala fee structure and admission policy.
Students receive clinical training at the Government Medical College Hospital, Kottayam, one of the largest and busiest government hospitals in Kerala, providing exposure to a wide range of medical and surgical cases.
The programme is approved by the Indian Nursing Council (INC) and affiliated to KUHS, ensuring national recognition.
GNM graduates are eligible to register with the Kerala Nurses and Midwives Council and practice as registered nurses across India.
The 6-month internship is mandatory and is conducted at the attached GMC Hospital, Kottayam.
Government GNM graduates are eligible for Kerala PSC recruitment for Staff Nurse positions in government hospitals.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Ranking
FAQs

GMC GNM Fees

The GNM programme at Government College of Nursing, Kottayam is offered at a highly subsidised fee exclusively for SC/ST candidates. The annual fee is Rs. 5,295 as per the official DME Kerala fee structure. The total fee for the complete 3-year programme is Rs. 15,885.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Per Year (Rs.)	Total (3 Years) (Rs.)
Tuition Fees	5,220	15,660
Other Fees	75	225
Caution Deposit	Nil	Nil
Total Fees	5,295	15,885

The GNM programme at government nursing colleges in Kerala is reserved for SC/ST candidates only, as per the official DME Kerala admission policy.
Fees are as per the official DME Kerala fee structure applicable from the 2023-24 academic year onwards.
Hostel facility is available at the Government College of Nursing, Kottayam.
Hostel fees are charged separately.
No EMI or instalment options are typically available for government college fees; fees are paid annually.

GMC GNM Admission 2026

Admission to the GNM programme at Government College of Nursing, Kottayam is conducted through the LBS Centre for Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, on behalf of DME Kerala. The programme is exclusively for SC/ST candidates. The 2025-26 admission cycle has been completed; the 2026-27 cycle is expected to follow a similar timeline.

College Admission Dates

Event	Tentative Date (2026-27)
LBS Notification / Application Start	May-June 2026 (Tentative)
Last Date to Apply Online	June-July 2026 (Tentative)
Publication of Rank List	July-August 2026 (Tentative)
First Allotment / Counselling	August-September 2026 (Tentative)
Batch Commencement	October-November 2026 (Tentative)

Exam Dates

Exam Dates
There is no separate entrance examination for GNM admission at Government College of Nursing, Kottayam. Selection is based on merit in the 10+2 (PCB) examination. No NEET or other entrance exam is required for this course.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must belong to SC/ST category (as the government college GNM seats are reserved for SC/ST candidates).
Candidates must have passed the 10+2 or equivalent examination from a recognised board with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as main subjects.
A minimum of 40% aggregate marks in PCB subjects is required (relaxation as per Kerala government norms for SC/ST candidates).
Candidate's age must be between 17 and 35 years at the time of admission.
Candidates must be medically fit as per the standards prescribed by the Indian Nursing Council.

Admission Process

LBS Centre releases the official notification and online application form on its portal (lbscentre.in).
Candidates apply online and submit their 10+2 marks and category certificate.
A merit rank list is prepared based on PCB marks and published on the LBS portal.
Allotment is done in multiple rounds; candidates must confirm their seat by paying the fee and reporting to the college.
Candidates must submit original documents including category certificate at the college at the time of admission.

GMC GNM Scholarships 2026

Students admitted to the GNM programme at Government College of Nursing, Kottayam are eligible for various government scholarships. Since the programme is exclusively for SC/ST candidates, all students are eligible for full fee reimbursement and maintenance allowances under government scholarship schemes.

Scholarship Schemes

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount / Benefit
SC/ST Scholarship (Kerala Government / e-Grantz)	SC/ST category students	Full fee reimbursement + maintenance allowance
Post-Matric Scholarship (Central Government)	SC/ST students	Tuition fee + maintenance allowance as per central norms
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) Schemes	SC/ST students	Variable; up to full fee coverage
Dr. Ambedkar Post-Matric Scholarship	SC/ST students with family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh/year	Full fee + maintenance allowance

Scholarship applications are submitted online through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) or the Kerala e-Grantz portal.
Deadlines are typically announced at the start of each academic year; students should apply promptly after admission.
SC/ST students are eligible for full fee reimbursement under the Kerala government's scholarship scheme, effectively making the course free.

GMC Kottayam Diploma Nursing Ranking

Collegedunia Ranking

#48 out of 632 in India 2025

#4th in Kerala

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GMC GNM FAQs

Ques. Is the GNM programme at Government College of Nursing, Kottayam open to all candidates or only SC/ST?

Ans. The GNM programme at Government College of Nursing, Kottayam (attached to GMC Kottayam) is exclusively for SC/ST candidates as per the official DME Kerala admission policy. The fee structure also reflects this, with a highly subsidised fee of Rs. 5,295 per year applicable only for SC/ST candidates.

Ques. What is the difference between GNM and B.Sc Nursing, and which is better?

Ans. GNM (General Nursing and Midwifery) is a 3-year diploma programme, while B.Sc Nursing is a 4-year degree programme. B.Sc Nursing is generally preferred for higher-level positions, career advancement, and postgraduate studies. However, GNM graduates are fully eligible to work as registered nurses and can also pursue Post Basic B.Sc Nursing (2 years) to upgrade their qualification to a degree level.

Ques. What are the career opportunities after GNM from Government College of Nursing, Kottayam?

Ans. GNM graduates can work as Staff Nurses in government and private hospitals, nursing homes, and community health centres. Government job opportunities are available through Kerala PSC recruitment for Staff Nurse positions. Graduates can also pursue Post Basic B.Sc Nursing to upgrade their qualification, or work abroad in countries like the UK, UAE, and Canada where Indian nurses are in high demand.

Ques. Is the GNM degree from Government College of Nursing, Kottayam recognised by the Indian Nursing Council?

Ans. Yes, the GNM programme at Government College of Nursing, Kottayam is approved by the Indian Nursing Council (INC) and affiliated to KUHS. Graduates are eligible to register with the Kerala Nurses and Midwives Council and practice as registered nurses across India.

Ques. Can GNM graduates from Government College of Nursing, Kottayam work abroad?

Ans. Yes, GNM graduates can work abroad after obtaining the necessary licensure. For countries like the UK, UAE, and Canada, nurses typically need to pass additional licensing exams (e.g., NCLEX for the USA/Canada, CBT for the UK). Many Kerala nurses work in Gulf countries, and GNM from a government college is well-recognised internationally.

Ques. What is the internship requirement for GNM at Government College of Nursing, Kottayam?

Ans. The GNM programme includes a mandatory 6-month internship after the 3-year academic programme. The internship is conducted at the Government Medical College Hospital, Kottayam, providing hands-on clinical experience in various departments including medical, surgical, paediatric, obstetric, and community health nursing.