PGIMER BSc Nursing Exam Pattern 2026: 100 Questions, 100 Marks, Marking Scheme and Negative Marking

The PGIMER BSc Nursing 2026 entrance exam is a 90-minute computer-based test (CBT) with 100 multiple-choice questions for a total of 100 marks. Conducted by the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, the exam covers Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English, and General Knowledge. The PGIMER BSc Nursing July 2026 session exam is scheduled for July 24, 2026 — applications are open until June 30, 2026 at pgimer.edu.in.

• The PGIMER BSc Nursing 2026 is a 90-minute computer-based test with 100 questions for 100 marks.
• The exam covers 5 subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, General Knowledge/Current Affairs, and English.
• Physics, Chemistry, and Biology carry 25 questions each — together they account for 75% of the paper.
• Correct answers earn +1 mark; wrong answers deduct 0.25 marks — avoid random guessing.
• You get approximately 54 seconds per question — time management is critical to score well.
• The 4-year BSc Nursing program is open only to female students; the 2-year Post-Basic BSc Nursing is open to both male and female students.
• The PGIMER BSc Nursing July 2026 exam is scheduled for July 24, 2026.

PGIMER BSc Nursing Exam Pattern 2026: Overview

The PGIMER BSc Nursing exam pattern 2026 follows an all-MCQ, computer-based format. The exam assesses students on five core subject areas with a partial negative marking policy. Knowing the exact structure helps you plan your time and set a realistic target score before the July 24, 2026 exam.

The PGIMER BSc Nursing 2026 is a 90-minute computer-based test with 100 questions for 100 marks.

PGIMER BSc Nursing Exam Pattern 2026: Important Dates

The PGIMER BSc Nursing July 2026 exam is scheduled for July 24, 2026. The application window is currently open — the last date to apply is June 30, 2026. The table below lists upcoming events first, followed by events already completed as of today (June 16, 2026).

Source: pgimer.edu.in

PGIMER BSc Nursing 2026: Detailed Exam Pattern

The PGIMER BSc Nursing 2026 detailed exam pattern has 100 MCQs across five subjects to be answered in 90 minutes. There is no section-wise time cap — you allocate the full 90 minutes as you see fit. Each question carries 1 mark, and the total marks equal the total number of questions.

Note: The 90-minute duration is shared across all five sections. There is no mandatory section-wise order — you can attempt any section first during the exam.

PGIMER BSc Nursing Marking Scheme 2026

The PGIMER BSc Nursing marking scheme 2026 awards +1 mark for every correct answer and deducts 0.25 marks for every wrong answer. Unattempted questions carry no penalty. This partial negative marking rewards confident answering — skip a question if you are unsure rather than guessing blindly.

Negative marking of 0.25 marks applies to all MCQs in PGIMER BSc Nursing 2026 — avoid random guessing.

Four wrong answers cancel the gain from one correct answer. The maximum possible score is 100. A score in the 60–70 range is generally competitive for a seat, based on previous years’ cutoff trends. Aim for 70+ marks to be in a safe position across both programs.

PGIMER BSc Nursing Subject-Wise Exam Pattern 2026

The PGIMER BSc Nursing 2026 subject-wise pattern divides 100 questions across five subjects. Physics, Chemistry, and Biology together carry 75 marks — the bulk of the paper. The syllabus for science subjects aligns with the NCERT Class 11 and 12 curriculum. Each subject is detailed below.

Physics

Physics questions test core concepts from Class 11 and 12. Topics include mechanics, thermodynamics, electrostatics, optics, and modern physics. Questions are conceptual and formula-based — thorough NCERT mastery is the key preparation step.

Chemistry

Chemistry covers physical, organic, and inorganic topics from Class 11 and 12. Expect questions on chemical bonding, periodic trends, reaction mechanisms, and equilibrium. Organic chemistry from Class 12 NCERT often contributes significantly to this section.

Biology

Biology is the most strategically important section for nursing aspirants. It aligns closely with future nursing coursework and frequently has more scoring questions. Topics span cell biology, genetics, human physiology, plant biology, and ecology.

General Knowledge / Current Affairs

The GK and Current Affairs section carries 15 questions — the second-largest section after the science subjects. Questions cover national and international events, healthcare news, static GK, and science-related current affairs. Stay updated with health ministry announcements and major events in the months before the exam.

English

English has the smallest share at 10 questions but is one of the most scoring sections. Questions test grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, fill-in-the-blanks, and sentence correction. Securing all 10 marks here meaningfully separates you from other students.

PGIMER BSc Nursing Question Types 2026

All questions in the PGIMER BSc Nursing 2026 exam are Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with four answer options and a single correct answer. The exam does not include numerical/integer type, multi-select, assertion-reason, or subjective questions. You answer all 100 questions on a computer screen at the exam centre — no pen, paper, or OMR sheet is used.

Since the exam is fully MCQ-based, the elimination technique is effective. Ruling out two clearly wrong options improves your success probability — and with only a -0.25 penalty, a well-reasoned guess on a narrowed-down choice is mathematically worthwhile.

PGIMER BSc Nursing Exam Pattern: Changes in 2026 vs Previous Year

The PGIMER BSc Nursing exam pattern 2026 remains unchanged from the 2025 pattern. PGIMER, Chandigarh has not announced any structural modifications for the July 2026 session. The table below provides a full year-on-year comparison for your reference.

The PGIMER BSc Nursing pattern has been stable — no changes have been introduced in 2026 vs 2025. Students who prepared for the 2025 exam can follow the same subject strategy and time allocation for 2026.

How to Prepare Based on PGIMER BSc Nursing Exam Pattern

Your preparation strategy must align with the PGIMER BSc Nursing 2026 exam pattern. The 90-minute, 100-question format with -0.25 negative marking demands both subject depth and smart time management. The tips below are derived directly from the pattern structure.

1. Prioritise Biology, Chemistry, and Physics equally — each carries 25 marks, totalling 75% of the paper. Strong NCERT preparation across all three can realistically secure 55–65 marks before you even attempt GK and English.
2. Do not underestimate GK/Current Affairs — 15 marks from GK is significant. Follow healthcare news, health ministry updates, and major national events from January 2026 onward. These questions are often quicker to answer than science MCQs.
3. Target full marks in English — the 10-question English section is a high-return investment. Two weeks of focused grammar and vocabulary revision can reliably fetch 8–10 marks and separate you from the competition.
4. Practise with strict 90-minute mock tests — you have roughly 54 seconds per question. Timed full-length mocks reveal which sections slow you down. Aim to finish science in 65 minutes, leaving 25 minutes for GK and English.
5. Apply the negative marking rule on every question — attempt only when you can eliminate at least two options confidently. Four wrong answers cancel one correct answer, so selective attempting protects your total score more than aggressive guessing.
6. Build from NCERT, then move to MCQ practice — PGIMER does not publish a separate syllabus PDF for the BSc Nursing exam. NCERT Class 11 and 12 textbooks for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology consistently match the pattern seen in previous years.
7. Solve previous years’ papers — past PGIMER BSc Nursing papers reveal which topics repeat most often across Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Solving at least five full papers under timed conditions before July 24 builds both accuracy and speed.