THE INDIAN NURSING COUNCIL ACT, 1947 
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ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 
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SECTIONS 

1.  Short title, extent and commencement. 
2.  Interpretation. 
3.  Constitution and composition of the Council. 
4.  Incorporation of the Council. 
5.  Mode of elections. 
6.  Term of office and casual vacancies. 
7.  Meetings. 
8.  Officers, committees and servants of the Council. 
9.  The Executive Committee. 
10.  Recognition of qualifications. 
11.  Effect of recognition. 
12.  Power to require information as to courses of study and training and examinations. 
13.  Inspections. 
14.  Withdrawal of recognition. 
15.  Mode of declaration. 
15A. Indian Nurses Register. 
15B. Supply of copies of State registers. 
16.  Power to make regulations. 
17.  [Repealed.] 

THE SCHEDULE. 

1 

 
 
THE INDIAN NURSING COUNCIL ACT, 1947* 

ACT NO. 48 OF 19471 

[31st December, 1947.] 

An Act to constitute an Indian Nursing Council. 

WHEREAS  it  is  expedient  to  constitute  an  Indian  Nursing  Council  in  order  to  establish  a  uniform 

standard of training for nurses, midwives and health visitors; 

It is hereby enacted as follows:–– 

1. Short title, extent and commencement.––(1) This Act may be called the Indian Nursing Council 

Act, 1947. 

2[(2) It extends to the whole of India 3***.] 

(3) It shall come into force at once. 

2. Interpretation.––In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,–– 

(a) “the Council” means the 4[Council] constituted under this Act; 

(b) “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made under section 16;” 

(c) “5[State] Council” means a Council (by whatever name called) constituted under the law of a 

4[State] to regulate the registration of nurses, midwives or health visitors in the 6[State]; 

(d) “4[State] register” means a register of nurses, midwives or health visitors maintained under the 

law of a 5[State]. 

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3.  Constitution  and  composition  of  the  Council.––(1)  The  Central  Government  shall,  as  soon  as 

may be, constitute a Council consisting of the following members, namely:–– 

(a) one nurse enrolled in a 4[State] register elected by each 4[State] Council; 

8[(b) two members elected from among themselves by the heads of institutions recognised by the 

Council for the purpose of this clause in which training is given–– 

(i) for obtaining a University degree in nursing; or 

(ii)  in  respect  of  a  post-certificate  course  in  the  teaching  of  nursing  and  in  nursing 

administration;] 

1. The Act has been extended to Dadra and Nagar, Haveli by Reg. 6 of 1963, s. 2 and the Schedule I; Pondicherry by Reg. 7 of 

1963, s. 3 and the Schedule I and Goa, Daman and Diu by Reg. 11 of 1963, s. 3 and the Schedule.  

2. Subs. by Act 45 of 1957, s. 2, for sub-section (2) (w.e.f. 1-12-1958). 
3. The words “except the State of Jammu and Kashmir” omitted by Act 34 of 2019, s. 95 and the Fifth Schedule (w.e.f. 31-10- 

2019). 

4. Subs. by Act 45 of 1957, s. 3, for “Indian Council of Nursing” (w.e.f. 1-12-1958). 
5. Subs. by A.O.1950, for “Provincial”. 
6. Subs. ibid., for “Province”. 
7. Omitted by Act 45 of 1957, s. 3 (w.e.f. 1-12-1958). 
8 . Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for clause (b) (w.e.f. 1-12-1958). 
* Subject to verification and confirmation by the administrative ministry. 

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(c)  one  member  elected  from  among  themselves  by  the  heads  of  institutions  in  which  health 

visitors are trained; 

(d) one member elected by the Medical Council of India; 

(e) one member elected by the Central Council of the Indian Medical Association; 

(f) one member elected by the Council of the Trained Nurses Association of India; 
1[(g) one midwife or auxiliary nurse-midwife enrolled in a State register, elected by each of the 
State  Councils  in  the  four  groups  of  States  mentioned  below,  each  group  of  States  being  taken  in 
rotation in the following order, namely:–– 

(i) Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and 2[Uttar Pradesh and Haryana], 
(ii) Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, 3[Maharashtra] and Rajasthan, 
(iii) 4[Karnataka], Punjab 5[Himachal Pradesh] and West Bengal, 
(iv) Assam, 6[Gujarat] 7[Tamil Nadu] and Orissa;] 

(h) the Director General of Health Services, ex officio; 

(i) the Chief Principal Matron, Medical Directorate, General Headquarters, ex officio; 

(j) the Chief Nursing Superintendent, office of the Director General of Health Services, ex officio; 

(k) the Director of Maternity and Child Welfare, Indian Red Cross Society, ex officio; 
8[(l) the Chief Administrative Medical Officer (by whatever name called) of each State other than 

a Union territory, ex officio;] 

9[(m) the Superintendent of Nursing services (by whatever name called), ex officio, from each of 
the  States  in  the  two  groups  mentioned  below,  each  group  of  States  being  taken  in  rotation  in  the 
following order, namely:–– 

(i)  Andhra  Pradesh,  Assam, 3[Maharashtra], Madhya Pradesh, 7[Tamil  Nadu],  Uttar  Pradesh 

10[West Bengal and Haryana]. 

(ii)  Bihar,  11 [Gujarat],  5[Himachal  Pradesh],  Kerala,  4[Karnataka],  Orissa,  Punjab  and 

Rajasthan;] 

(n) four members nominated by the Central Government, of whom at least two shall be nurses, 

midwives or health visitors enrolled in 12[State] register and one shall be experienced educationalist; 

13[(o)  three  members  elected  by  Parliament,  two  by  the  House  of  the  People  from  among  its 

members and the other by the Council of States from among its members.] 

1. Subs. by Act 45 of 1957, s. 4, for clause (g) (w.e.f. 1-12-1958). 
2. Subs. by the Punjab Reorganisation and Delhi High Court (Adaptation of Laws on Union Subjects) Order, 1968, for “and   

Uttar Pradesh” (w.e.f. 1-11-1966). 

3. Subs. by the Bombay Reorganisation (Adaptation of Laws on Union Subjects) Order, 1961, for “Bombay” (w.e.f. 1-5-1960). 
4. Subs. by Mysore State (Alteration of Name) (Adaptation of Laws on Union Subject) order, 1974, for “Mysore” (w.e.f. 1-11-

1973).  

5. Ins. by the State of Himachal Pradesh (Adaptation of Laws on Union Subjects) Order, 1973, (w.e.f. 25-1-1971). 
6. Subs. by the Bombay Reorganisation (Adaptation of Laws on Union Subjects) Order, 1961, for “Madras and Orissa”        

(w.e.f. 1-5-1960). 

7. Subs. by the Madras State (Alteration of Name) (Adaptation of Laws on Union Subjects) Order.1970, for “Madras” (w.e.f. 14-

1-1969). 

8. Subs. by Act 45 of 1957, s.4, for clause (l) (w.e.f. 1-12-1958). 
9. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for clause (m) (w.e.f. 1-12-1958). 
10. Subs. by the Punjab Reorganisation and Delhi High Court (Adaptation of Laws on Union Subjects) Order, 1968, for “and 

West Bengal” (w.e.f. 1-11-1966). 

11. Ins. by the Bombay Reorganisation (Adaptation of Laws on Union Subjects) Order, 1961, (w.e.f. 1-5-1960)  
12. Subs. by A.O.1950, for “Provincial”. 
13. Subs. by Act 45 of 1957, s. 4, for clause (o) (w.e.f. 1-12-1958). 

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(2)  The  President  of  the  Council  shall  be  elected  by  the  members  of  the  Council  from  among 

themselves: 

Provided that for five years from the first constitution of the Council the President shall be a person 
nominated from amongst the members of the Council by the Central Government, who shall hold office 
during the pleasure of the Central Government. 

(3)  No  act  done  by  the  Council  shall  be  questioned  on  the  ground  merely  of  the  existence  of  any 

vacancy in, or any defect in the constitution of, the Council. 

4. Incorporation of the Council.––The Council constituted under section 3 shall be a body corporate 
by the name of the Indian Nursing Council, having perpetual succession and a common seal, with power 
to acquire property both-movable and immovable, and shall by the said name sue and be sued. 

5.  Mode of elections.––(1) Elections under sub-section (1) of section 3 by 1[State] Councils shall be 
conducted in accordance with rules made in this behalf by the respective 1[State] Governments, and where 
any dispute arises regarding any such election it shall be referred to the  1[State] Government concerned 
whose decision shall be final. 

(2) Other elections under that sub-section shall be conducted in the prescribed manner, and where any 
dispute arises regarding any such election, it shall be referred to the Central Government whose decision 
shall be final. 

 6. Term of office and casual vacancies.––(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, an elected or 
nominated member, other than a nominated President, shall hold office for a term of five years from the 
date of his election or nomination or until his successor has been duly elected or nominated, whichever is 
longer. 

(2)  An  elected  or  nominated  member  may  at  any  time  resign  his  membership  by  writing  under  his 

hand addressed to the President, and the seat of such member shall thereupon become vacant. 

(3) An elected or nominated member shall be deemed to have vacated his seat if he is absent without 
excuse sufficient in the opinion of the Council from three consecutive meetings of the Council where the 
interval between the first and third of the said meetings exceeds six months. 

(4) A casual vacancy in the Council shall be filled by fresh election or nomination, as the case may be 
and the person elected or nominated to fill the vacancy shall hold office only for the remainder of the term 
for which the member whose place he takes was elected or nominated. 

(5) Members of the Council shall be eligible for re-election or re-nomination. 

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7. Meetings.––(1) The Council shall hold its first meeting at such time and place as may be appointed 
by the President, and thereafter the Council shall meet at such time and place as may be appointed by the 
Council. 

(2) Until otherwise prescribed, ten members of the Council shall form a quorum, and all the acts of 

the Council shall be decided by a majority of the members present and voting. 

1. Subs. by A.O. 1950, for “Provincial”. 
2. Omitted by Act 45 of 1957, s. 5, (w.e.f. 1-12-1958). 

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8. Officers, committees and servants of the Council.––(1) The Secretary of the Council (who may 
also,  if  it  is  deemed  expedient  by  the  Council,  act  as  Treasurer)  shall,  for  three  years  from  the  first 
constitution of the Council, be a person appointed by the Central Government and shall hold office during 
the pleasure of the Central Government. 

(2) The Council shall–– 

(a) elect from among its members a Vice-President; 

(b) constitute from among its members an Executive Committee and such other committees 
for general or special purposes as the Council deems necessary to carry out the purposes of 
this Act; 

(c) subject to the provisions of sub-section (1), appoint a Secretary, who may also, if deemed 
expedient, act as Treasurer; 

(d) appoint or nominate such other officers and servants as the Council deems necessary to 
carry out the purposes of this Act; 

(e) require and take from the Secretary, or from any other officer or servant, such security for 
the due performance of his duties as the Council deems necessary; 

(f) with the previous sanction of the Central Government, fix the fees and allowances to be 
paid to the President, Vice-President and members and the pay and allowances of officers and 
servants of the Council. 

9.  The  Executive  Committee.––(1)  The  Executive  Committee  shall  consist  of  nine  members,  of 

whom seven shall be elected by the Council from among its members. 

(2)  The  President  and  Vice-President  of  the  Council  shall  be  members  ex  officio  of  the  Executive 

Committee, and shall be President and Vice-President, respectively, of that Committee. 

(3)  In  addition  to  the  powers  and  duties  conferred  and  imposed  upon  it  by  this  Act,  the  Executive 
Committee  shall  exercise  and  discharge  such  powers  and  duties  as  the  Council  may  confer  or  impose 
upon it by any regulations which may be made in this behalf. 

10.  Recognition  of  qualifications.––(1) For the purposes of this Act, the qualifications included in 
1[Part I of] the Schedule shall be recognised qualifications, and the qualifications included in Part II of the 
Schedule shall be recognised higher qualifications. 

(2) Any authority within the 2[States] 3*** which, being recognised by the 4[State] Government  1[in 
consultation  with  the  State  Council,  if  any,]  for  the  purpose  of  granting  any  qualification,  grants  a 
qualification in general nursing, midwifery, 1[auxiliary nursing-midwifery] health visiting or public health 
nursing, not included in the Schedule may apply to the Council to have such qualification recognised, and 
the Council may declare that such qualification, or such qualification only when granted after a specified 
date shall be a recognised qualification for the purposes of this Act. 

(3) The Council may enter into negotiations with any authority 5[in any 6[territory of India to which 
this  Act does not extend] or  foreign  country]  3[***] which  by  the  law  of 7[such territory]  or  country  is 
entrusted  with  the  maintenance  of  a  register  of  nurses  midwives  or  health  visitors; for the  settling  of  a 
scheme  of  reciprocity  for  the  recognition  of  qualifications,  and  in  pursuance  of  any  such  scheme  the 

1. Ins. by Act 45 of 1957, s. 6 (w.e. f. 1-12- 1958). 
2. Subs. by A.O.1950, for “Provinces”. 
3. The words “of India” omitted by, ibid. 
4. Subs. by A.O. 1950, for “Provincial”. 
5. Subs. by Act 75 of 1950, s. 2, “in any State or country outside the States” (w.e.f. 28-12-1950). 
6. Subs. by A.O.(No. 3),1956 for “Part B Slates” (w.e.f. 1-11-1956). 
7. Subs. ibid., for “such State” (w.e.f. 1-11-1956). 

5 

                                                           
Council may declare that a qualification granted by any authority in any 1[such territory] or country, or 
such  qualification,  only  when  granted  after  a  specified  date,  shall  be  a  recognised  qualification  for  the 
purposes of this Act: 

Provided  that  no  declaration  shall  be  made  under  this  sub-section  in  respect  of  any  qualification 
unless  by  the  law  and  practice 2[of  the  foreign  country]  in  which  the  qualification  is  granted  persons 
domiciled  or  originating  3 [in  India]  4 ***  and  holding  qualifications  recognised  under  this  Act  are 
permitted to enter and practice the nursing profession 5[in that country]: 

Provided further that–– 

(i) any reciprocal arrangements subsisting at the date of the commencement of this Act between a 
6[State] Council and any authority outside India for the recognition of qualifications shall, unless the 
Council decides otherwise, continue in force, and 

7[(ii)  any  qualification  granted  by  an  authority  in  a  territory  of  India  to  which  this  Act  did  not 
extend  at  the  date  of  its  commencement  and  recognised  on  the  said  date  by  the  State  Council  of  a 
State to which this Act then extended, shall continue to be a recognised qualification for the purpose 
of registration in that State.] 

(4) The provisions of sub-sections (2) and (3) and of sections 14 and 15 shall apply mutatis mutandis 
to the declaration by the Council of a qualification granted in respect of post-certificate nursing training 
as a recognised higher qualification. 

11. Effect of recognition.–– 8[(1)] Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law,–– 

(a)  any  recognised  qualification  shall  be  a  sufficient  qualification  for  enrolment  in  any 6[State] 

register; 

(b) no person shall, after the date of commencement of this Act, be entitled to be enrolled in any 
6[State] register as a nurse, midwife, 9[auxiliary nurse-midwife], health visitor, or public health nurse 
unless he or she holds a recognised qualification: 

Provided  that  any  person  already  enrolled  in  any 6[State]  register  before  the  said  date  may 

continue to be so enrolled notwithstanding that he or she may not hold a recognised qualification: 

Provided further that any person who was immediately before the said date entitled to be enrolled 
in  any  6[State]  register  but  was  not  so  enrolled  shall  on  application  made  in  this  behalf  before  the 
expiry of two years from the said date be entitled to be enrolled in that register; 

(c) any person holding a recognised higher qualification shall be entitled to have the qualification 
entered  as  a  supplementary  qualification  in  any 6[State]  register in  which  he  or  she  is  enrolled, and 
after  the  said  date  no  person  shall  be  entitled  to  have  entered  as  a  supplementary  qualification  in 
any 6[State] register any qualification which is not a recognised higher qualification 
 9[(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause (b) of sub-section (1)–– 

(a) a citizen of India holding a qualification which entitles him or her to be registered with any 
Council of Nursing or Midwifery (by whatever name called) in any foreign country, may, with the 
approval of the Council, be enrolled in any State Register; and where approval has been accorded by 
the Council in respect of such qualification in one case, the approval of the Council for enrolment in a 
State  register  in  the  case  of  any  other  citizen  of  India  holding  the  same  qualification  shall  not  be 
necessary; 

1. Subs. by A.O. (No. 3), 1956, for “such State” (w.e.f. 1-11-1956). 
2. Subs. by Act 75 of 1950, s. 2, for “of the State or Country” (w.e.f. 28-12-1950). 
3. Subs. by, s. 2, ibid., for “in any State” (w.e.f. 28-12-1950).  
4. The words “of India” omitted by the A. O. 1950.  
5. Subs. by Act 75 of 1950. S. 2, for  “in that Sate County”. 
6. Subs. by A.O.1950, for “Provincial”. 
7. Subs. by Act 45 of 1957, s. 6, for clause (ii) (w.e.f. 1-12-1958). 
8. Section11 renumbered as sub-section (1) thereof by s. 7, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-12-1958). 
9. Ins. by s. 7, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-12-1958). 

6 

                                                           
(b) a person not being a citizen of India who is employed as a nurse, midwife, auxiliary nurse-
midwife, teacher or administrator in any hospital or institution situated in any State for purposes of 
teaching,  research  or  charitable  work  may,  with  the  approval  of  the  President  of  the  Council,  be 
enrolled  temporarily  in  the  State  Register  for  such  period  as  may  be  specified  in  this  behalf  in  the 
order issued by the said President: 

Provided that the practice by such person shall be limited to the hospital or institution to which he 

or she is attached.] 

12. Power to require information as to courses of study and training and examinations.––Every 
authority  in  any  1 [State]  2 ****  which  grants  a  recognised  qualification,  or  a  recognised  higher 
qualification  shall  furnish  such  information  as  the  Council  may,  from  time  to  time,  require  as  to  the 
courses of study and training and examinations to be undergone in order to obtain such qualification, as to 
the  ages  at  which  such  courses  of  study  and  examinations  are  required  to  be  undergone  and  such 
qualifications conferred, and generally as to the requisites for obtaining such qualification. 

13.  Inspections.––(1)  The  Executive  Committee  may  appoint  such  number  of  inspectors 3[whether 
from  among  members  of  the  Council  or  otherwise]  as  it  deems  necessary  to  inspect  any  institution 
recognised  as  a  training  institution,  and  to  attend  examinations  held  for  the  purpose  of  granting  any 
recognised qualification or recognised higher qualification. 

(2) Inspectors appointed under this section shall report to the Executive Committee on the suitability 
of the institution for the purposes of training and on the adequacy of the training therein, or as the case 
may be on the sufficiency of the examinations. 

(3)  The  Executive  Committee  shall  forward  a  copy  of  such  report  to  the  authority  or  institution 
concerned,  and  shall  also  forward  copies,  with  the  remarks,  if  any,  of  the  authority  or  institution 
concerned thereon, to the Central Government and to the 4[State] Government and 4[State] Council of the 
1[State] in which the authority of institution is situated. 

14. Withdrawal of recognition.––(1) When upon report by the Executive Committee, it appears to 

the Council–– 

(a) that the courses of study and training and the examinations to be gone through in order to 
obtain  a  recognised  qualification  from  any  authority  in  any  1[State]  2***,  or  the  conditions  for 
admission  to  such  courses  or  the  standards  of  proficiency  required  from  the  candidates  at  such 
examinations  are  not  in  conformity  with  the  regulations  made  under  the  Act  or  fall  short  of  the 
standards required thereby, or 

(b)  that  an  institution  recognised  by  a  4[State]  Council  for  the  training  of  nurses,  midwives 

5[auxiliary nurse-midwives] or health visitors does not satisfy the requirements of the Council,–– 
the Council may send to the Government of the  1[State] in which the authority or institution, as the case 
may  be,  is  situated  a  statement  to  such  effect  and  the  4[State]  Government  shall  forward  it,  along  with 
such  remarks  as  it  may  think  fit  to  the  authority  or  institution  concerned  and,  in  a  case  referred  to  in 
clause  (b)  to  the  4[State]  Council  also,  with  an  intimation  of  the  period  within  which  the  authority  or 
institution may submit its explanation to the 4[State] Government. 

(2) On the receipt of the explanation or, where no explanation is submitted within the period fixed, 
then on the expiry of the period, the 4[State] Government shall make its recommendations to the Council. 

(3) The Council, after such further inquiry, if any, as it may think fit to make, and in a case referred to 
in  clause  (b)  of  sub-section  (1),  after  considering  any  remarks  which  the  4[State]  Council  may  have 
addressed to it, may declare,– 

1. Subs. by A.O.1950, for “Province”. 
2. The words “of India” omitted, ibid. (w.e.f. 28-1-1950). 
3. Ins. by Act 45 of 1957, s. 8 (w.e.f. 1-12-1958). 
4.  Subs. by A.O.1950, for “Provincial”. 
5 . Ins. by, s. 9, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-12-1958). 

7 

                                                           
(a)  in  a  case  referred  to  in  clause  (a)  of  that  sub-section,  that  the  qualifications  granted  by  the 

authority concerned shall be recognised qualifications only when granted before a specified date, or 

(b)  in  a  case  referred  to  in  the  said  clause  (b),  that  with  effect  from  a  date  specified  in  the 
declaration  any  person  holding  a  recognised  qualification  whose  period  of  training  and  study 
preparatory to the grant to him of the qualification was passed at the institution concerned shall be 
entitled to be registered only in the 1[State] in which the institution is situated. 
(4) The Council may declare that any recognised qualification granted outside the 2[States] 3*** shall 

be a recognised qualification only if granted before a specified date. 

15.  Mode  of  declaration.––4[(1)] All declarations under section 10 or section 14 shall be made by 
resolution passed at a meeting of the Council called for the purpose, and shall forthwith be published in 
the Official Gazette. 

5[(2) The Central Government shall, from time to time, by notification in the Official Gazette, amend 

the Schedule so as to bring it into accord with any declaration under section 10 or section 14.] 

6[15A.  Indian  Nurses  Register.––(1)  The  Council  shall  cause  to  be  maintained  in  the  prescribed 
manner a register of nurses, midwives, auxiliary nurse-midwives and health visitors to be known as the 
Indian Nurses Register, which shall contain the names of all persons who are for the time being enrolled 
on any State register. 

(2)  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Council  to  keep  the  Indian  Nurses  Register  in 
accordance with the provisions of this Act, and from time to time, to revise the register and publish it in 
the Gazette of India and in, such other manner as may be prescribed. 

(3) Such register shall be deemed to be a public document within the meaning of the Indian Evidence 

Act, 1872 (1 of 1872) and may be proved by a copy published in the Gazette of India.] 

15B.  Supply  of  copies  of  State  registers.––Each State Council shall supply to the Council twenty 
printed copies of the State register as soon as may be after the 1st day of April of each year and inform 
the Council without delay of all additions to, and other amendments in, the State register made from time 
to time. 

16. Power to make regulations.––(1) The Council may make regulations not inconsistent with this 
Act  generally  to  carry  out  the  provisions  of  this  Act,  and  in  particular  and  without  prejudice  to  the 
generality of the foregoing powers, such regulations may provide for–– 

(a) the management of the property of the Council and the maintenance and audit of its accounts; 

(b) the manner in which elections referred to in sub-section (2) of section 5 and in clause (a) of 

sub-section (2) of section 8 shall be conducted; 

(c)  the  summoning  and  holding  of  the  meetings  of  the  Council,  the  times  and  places  at  which 
such meetings shall be held, the conduct of business thereat and the number of members necessary to 
constitute a quorum; 

(d)  prescribing  the  functions  of  the  Executive  Committee,  the  summoning  and  holding  of 
meetings  thereof,  the  times  and  places  at  which  such  meetings  shall  be  held,  and  the  number  of 
members necessary to constitute a quorum; 

(e) prescribing the powers and duties of the President and the Vice-President; 
7[(f) prescribing the tenure of office and the powers and duties of the Secretary and other officers 

and servants of the Council; 

1. Subs. by A.O.1950, for “Province”. 
2. Subs. ibid., for “Provinces”. 
3. The words “of India” omitted by ibid. 
4. Section 15 re-numbered as sub-section (1) thereof by Act 45 of 1957, s. 10 ibid. (w.e.f. 1-12-1958). 
5. Ins. by s. 10, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-12-1958). 
6. Ins. by ibid. s. 11 (w.e.f. 1-12-1958). 
7. Subs by s. 12, ibid. (w.e. f. 1-12-1958). 

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(ff) prescribing the powers and duties of inspectors;] 

(g) prescribing the standard curricula for the training of nurses, midwives and health visitors, for 
training  courses  for  teachers  of  nurses,  midwives  and  health  visitors,  and  for  training  in  nursing 
administration; 

(h) prescribing the conditions for admission to courses of training as aforesaid; 

(i) prescribing the standards of examination and other requirements to be satisfied to secure for 

qualifications recognition under this Act; 

(j) any other matter which is to be or may be prescribed under this Act. 

(2) To enable the Council to be first constituted, the President may, with the previous sanction of the 
Central  Government,  make  regulations  of  the  conduct  of  the  elections  referred  to  in  sub-section  (2)  of 
section  5,  and  any  regulations  so  made  may  be  altered  or  rescinded  by  the  Council  in  exercise  of  its 
powers under this section. 

1[(3) Every regulation made under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before 
each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised 
in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately 
following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification 
in  the  regulation  or  both  Houses  agree  that  the  regulation  should  not  be  made,  the  regulation  shall 
thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that 
any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done 
under that regulation.] 

17. [Repeal of Ordinance 13 of 1947] Rep. by the Indian Nursing Council (Amendment) Act, 1957 (45 

of 1957), s. 13 (w.e.f.1-12-1958). 

1. Ins. by Act 4 of 1986, s. 2, and the Schedule (w.e.f. 15-5-1986). 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
1THE SCHEDULE 

(See sections 10 and 11) 

PARTI 

Recognisedqualifications 

A.––General Nursing–– 

Certificates(including senior and junior certificates), Diplomas or Degrees in Nursing issued by any 

of the following authorities, namely:–– 

1.The Examination Board appointed by the 2[Government of Tamil Nadu] 

2.The Bombay Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Council. 

3.The Bombay Presidency Nursing Association (when issued before the 1st day of January,1936). 

4.The Bengal Nursing Council (when issued before the 15th day of August, 1947). 

5.The Uttar Pradesh State Medical Faculty. 

6.The Uttar Pradesh Nurses and Midwives Council. 

7.The  State  Board  of  Medical  Examination,  Uttar  Pradesh  (when  issued  before  the1st  day  of 

January, 1927). 

8. (a) The Punjab Nurses Registration Council (when issued before the 15th day of August, 1947 

or after the 26th day of January, 1950). 

(b) The  East  Punjab  Nurses  Registration  Council (when  issued  before  the  26th day  of January, 

1950). 

9. The Bihar Medical Examination Board (when issued before the 1st day of January,1938). 

10. The Bihar Nurses Registration Council. 

11. The Madhya Pradesh Medical Examination Board (when issued before the 1st day of April, 

1950). 

12. The Assam Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Council. 

13. The Orissa Medical Examination Board. 

14.  The  Mid  India  (United)  Board  of  Examiners  for  Nurses  (when  issued  before  the  1stday  of 

January, 1947). 

15. The Joint  Missionary  Board for  Examination  of Nurses  (Marathi area) (when  issued  before 

the 1st day of January, 1934). 

1. Subs. by Act 45 of 1957, s. 14, for the Schedule (w.e.f. 1-12-1958). 
2. Subs. by Madras State (Alteration of Name) A.O. 1970 (w.e.f. 14-1-1969). 

10 

                                                           
16.  The  North-India  United  Board  of  Examiners  for  Mission  and  other  Hospitals  (when  issued 

before the 1[1st day of January, 1942). 

17. The Examining Board of the Nurses Auxiliary of the Christian Medical Association of India 

(South India Branch). 

18. The Sind Nurses and Midwives Council (when issued before the 15th day of August,1947). 

19. The West Bengal Nursing Council. 

20. The University of Delhi. 

21. The University of Madras. 

22. The Bengal State Medical Faculty (when issued before the 1st day of January,1942). 

23. The Mid-India Board of Examiners of Nurses Auxiliary of Christian Medical Association of 

India. 

24.  The  examination  Board  of  Military  Medical  Services  (when  issued  before  the  18thday  of 

August, 1955).  

25. The Armed Forces Medical Services Examination Board. 

26. The Madhya Pradesh State Nurses Registration Council. 

27. The Board of Examiners appointed by the Government of 2[Karnataka]. 

28. The Board of Examiners appointed by the Government of Hyderabad (when issued before the 

1st day of November, 1956). 

29. The Board of Examiners appointed by the Government of Andhra (when issued before the 1st 
day of November, 1956) or by the Government of Andhra Pradesh (when issued on or after the 1st 
day of November, 1956). 

30. The Travancore-Cochin Nurses’ and Midwives' Council. 

31. The Vidarbha Nurses Registration Council. 

3[32. The Orissa Nurses and Midwives Examination Board.] 

4[33. The Mahakoshal Nurses Council. 

34. The Bombay Nursing Council. 

35. Board of Examiners appointed by the Government of Kerala.] 

5[36. The Medical and Surgical School, Goa (when granted on or before the 1st January, 1966).] 

6[37. The Kerala Examination Board (Kerala Nurses and Midwives Council). 

38. The Maharashtra Nursing Council (when granted on or after the15th February, 1962). 

1. Subs. by notification No. S. O. 349, dated 22-1-1962. 
2. Subs. by Mysore State (Alteration of Name) (Adaptation of Laws on Union Subject) order, 1974, for “Mysore” (w.e.f. 1-11-

1973). 

3. Ins. by notification No.S.O. 1446.dated 19-6-1959. 
4. Ins. by notification No.S.O. 1577, dated 9-6-1960. 
5. Subs. by notification No.S.O. 3042, dated 6-10-1966. 
6. Ins. by notification No.S.O. 2682, dated 10-9-1963. 

11 

                                                           
39. The Gujarat Nursing Council. 

40. When granted before the 31st December, 1953 by the–– 

(a) Travancore Government; 

(b) Travancore Public Service Commission; 

(c) Cochin Government; 

(d) Cochin Public Service Commission; 

(e) Travancore-Cochin Government; 

(f)  Travancore-Cochin  Public  Service  Commission.  (when  granted  before  the  31st 
December, 1953.)] 

1[41.The Osmania University. 

2[42.The University of Indorse (when issued on or after the 1st April, 1965).] 

3[43.Examining Board of the Nurses League of the Christian Medical Association of India (South 

India Branch) (when issued on or after the 28th October,1965). 

44.The  Mid-India  Board  of  Examiners  of  the  Nurses  League  of  the  Christian  the  Medical 

Association of India (when granted on or after the 1st January, 1966). 

45.The University of Bombay (when issued on or after the 1st April,1964). 

46.The Rajasthan Nursing Council (when issued on or after the 1st April, 1964). 

4[47.The Vikram University, Ujjain (when issued in the year 1964).] 

5[48.ShrimatiNathibaiDamodarThackersey  University,  Bombay  (when  granted  on  or  after  the 

15th April, 1969).] 

49. 

6[50* * * * *] 

7[51.University of Kerala, Trivandrum (when granted an or after the 21st March,1972). 

52.University of Punjab Chandigarh (when granted on or after the 1st of March,1977).] 

8[53.Sardar  Patel  University,  VallabhVidyanagar,  (Gujarat)  (when  granted  on  or  after  the  1st 

August, 1983). 

1. Ins. by notification No. S. O. 3042, dated 6-10-1966. 
2. Subs by notification No. S. O. 2186, dated 11-6-1968. 
3. Ins. by notification No. S. O. 2187, dated 11-6-1968. 
4. Ins. by notification No.  S. O. 1628, dated 25-4-1969. 
5. Ins. by notification No.  S. O. 4509, dated 30-9-1975. 
6. Entries 50 and 52 omitted and 51 renumbered as 50. 
7. Ins. by notification No.S.O. 20/88. 
8. Ins. by notification No.S. O. 2021/88. 

12 

                                                           
 
54.Board  of  Nursing  Education  of  the  Nurses  leagus  of  C.M.A.I.  South  Indian  Branch(when 

granted on or after the 30th October, 1975).] 

1[55.All  India  Institute  of  Medical  Sciences,  New  Delhi  (when  granted  on  or  after  the16th 

August, 1979). 

56.University of Rajasthan, Jaipur (when granted on or after 1st January, 1968). 

57.University of Calcutta, Calcutta (when granted on or after the 27th October,1978).] 

2[58.The  Board  of  Examiners  appointed  by  a  the  Government  of  Mysore  (when  granted  on  or 

after 7th Novemer, 54 to 31st October,73). 

59.The Board of Examiners appointed by the Government of Karnataka (when granted on or after 

the 1st November, 1973).] 

3[60.Devi AhilyaVishwavidhyalaya Indore (when granted on or after the 26th January,1983).] 

4[61.Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam (Kerala) (when granted on or after 3rdJanuary, 1983). 

62. University of Calicut (Kerala) (when granted on or after12th April, 1982).] 

B.––Midwifery–– 

Certificates,Diplomas or Degrees in Midwifery issued by any of the following authorities,namely:–– 

1.Any of the authorities mentioned in section A except the authority at item No. 17thereof. 

2.The Punjab Central Midwives Board (when issued before the 15th day of August,1947). 

3.The Mid-India (United) Board of Examiners for Midwifery (when issued before the1st day of 

January, 1947). 

4.The National Association for supplying female medical aid to the women of India(when issued 

before the Ist day of October, 1949). 

5.The  North-West  Frontier  Province  Central  Midwives  (when  issued  before  the15th  day  of 

August, 1947). 

6.The Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust. 

7.The Health Department, Madras (when issued before the 31st day of December, 1952). 

5[8.The Orissa Nurses and Midwives Examination Board.] 

6[9.The Mahakoshal Nurses Council. 

10.The Bombay Nursing Council. 

11.Board of Examiners appointed by the Government of Kerala.] 

1. Ins. bynotification No. S. O. 3503/88. 
2. Ins. by notification No. S. O. 3504/88. 
3. Ins. bynotification No. S. O. 1431/89. 
4. Ins. bynotification No. S. O. 1912/93. 
5. Ins. by notification No.  S. O. 1446, dated 19-6-1959. 
6. Ins. by notification No.  S. O. 1577, dated 9-6-1960. 

13 

                                                           
 1[12.The North India United Board of Examiners of Mission and other Hospitals (when issued 

before the 1st day of January, 1946).] 

 2[13. The Medical and Surgical School, Goa (when issued before the1st day of January, 1966).] 

 3[14.The Kerala Examination Board/Kerala Nurses and Midwives Council. 

 4[15.Maharashtra Nursing Council (when granted on or after the 15th February, 1962). 

5[16.(a)Travancore Government; 

(b)Travancore Public Service Commission; 

(c)Cochin Government; 

(d)Cochin Public Service Commission; 

(e)Travancore-Cochin Government; 

(f)Travancore-Cochin  Public  Service  Commission(when  granted  on  or  before  the  31st 

December, 1953).] 

5[17.The Gujarat Nursing Council.] 

6[18.The Examination Board of the Nurses League of the Christian Medical Association of India 

(South India Branch) (when issued on or after the 28th October, 1965). 

19.The Mid-India Board of Examiners of the Nurses League of the Christian Medical Association 

of India (when issued on or after the 1st January, 1966). 

20.The Rajasthan Nursing Council (when issued on or after the 1st April, 1964).] 

21. 

7[22.Sardar Patel University,VallabhVidyanagar Gujarat (when granted on or after the 1st August, 

1983).] 

23.Board  of  Nursing  Education  of  the  Nurses  League  of  C.M.A.I.  South  India  Branch(when 

granted on or after the 30th October, 1975).] 

8[24.The Board of Examiners appointed by the Government of Mysore (when granted on or after 

the 17th November, 1954 to 31st October, 1973). 

25.The  Board  of  Examiners  appointed  by  the  Government  of  Karnataka  (when  granted  or after 

the 1st November, 1973).] 

1. Ins. by notification No. S. O. 349, dated 22-1-1962. 
2. Ins. by notification No. S. O. 3042, dated 6-10-1966. 
3. Subs. by notification No. S. O. 2682, dated 10-9-1963. 
4. Ins. by notification No. S.O. 267. 
5. Subs. by notification No. S. O. 267. 
6.Ins. by notification No. S.O. 2187, dated 11-6-1968. 
7. Ins. by notification NO.S.O. 2021/81. 
8. Ins. by notification NO.S.O. 3504/88. 

14 

 
                                                           
C––Auxiliary Nursing-Midwifery–– 

Certificates issued by any of the following authorities, namely:–– 

1.Any of the authorities mentioned in section A except items Nos. 3,4, 7, 9, 11,14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 

21, 22, 24 and 25. 

2.The Examination Board appointed by the Himachal Pradesh Administration. 
1[3.The Orissa Nurses and Midwives Examination Board.] 
2[4.The Mahakoshal Nursing Council. 

5.The Bombay Nursing Council. 

6.Board of Examiners appointed by the Government of Kerala.] 
3[7.The Kerala Examination Board/Kerala Nurses and Midwives Council. 

8.The Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust (when issued on or after the 1st January1955). 

9.Maharashtra Nursing Council (when issued on or after the 15th February, 1962). 

10.The Gujarat Nursing Council.] 
4[11. The Examining Board of the Nurses League of the Christian Medical Association of India 

(South India Branch) (when issued on or after the 28th October, 1965). 

12.The Mid-India Board of Examiners of the Nurses League of the Christian Medical Association 

of India (when issued on or after 1st January, 1966). 

13.The Rajasthan Nursing Council (when issued on or after the 1st April, 1964).] 

14. 
5 [15.Board  of  Nursing  Education  of  the  Nurses  League  of  C.M.A.I.  South  India  Branch(when 

granted on or after the 30th October, 1975.] 

 6[16. The Board of Examiners appointed by the Government of Mysore (when grantedon or after 

the 17th November 1954 to 31st October,1973). 

17.The Board of Examiners appointed by the Government of Karnataka (when granted on or after 

the 1st November, 1973).] 

D.––Health Visitors–– 

HealthVisitors Certificates or Diplomas issued by any of the following authorities, namely:–– 

1.The Government Training School for Health Visitors, Madras. 

2.The Sir John Anderson Health School Calcutta. 

3.The Uttar Pradesh State Medical Faculty. 

4.The Uttar Pradesh Nurses and Midwives Council. 

5.The Government Health School, Nagpur. 

6.The Assam Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Council. 

7.The Lady Reading Health School, Delhi. 

8.The Bombay Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Council. 

1. Ins. by notification No.S.O. 1446. 
2. Ins. by notification No.S.O. 1577, dated 9-6-1960. 
3. Ins. by notification No. S.O. 2682, dated 10-9-1963 
4. Ins. by notification No.S.O. 2187. 
5. Ins. by notification No.S.O. 2021 /88. 
6. Ins. by S.O. 3504/88. 

15 

                                                           
9.The Bengal Nursing Council (when issued before the 15th day of August, 1947). 

10.The Punjab Health School (when issued before the 15th day of August, 1947). 

11.The West Bengal Nursing Council. 

12.The Punjab State Medical Faculty. 

13.The Bengal State Medical Faculty (when issued before the 1st day of January,1942). 

14.The Bihar Nurses Registration Council. 
1[15.The Mahakoshal Nursing Council. 

16.The Bombay Nursing Council. 

17.Board of Examiners appointed by the Government of Kerala. 

18.Dr. H.C. Mukherjee MedicalHealth School, Singur, West Bengal.] 
2[19.Kerala Examination Board/Kerala Nurses and Midwives Council. 

20.Maharashtra Nursing Council (when issued on or after the 15th February, 1962). 

21.Gujarat Nursing Council.] 
3[22.The Rajasthan Nursing Council (when issued on or after the1st Aplril, 1964).]

1 . Issued by S.O. 1577. 
2. Ins. by notification No.S.O. 2682. 
3. Ins. by notification No.S.O. 2187. 

16 

                                                           
PART II 

Recognisedhigher qualifications1 

Name  of 
qualification 

the  authority 

issuing 

the 

Qualification 

1.  The  Examination  Board  appointed  by 
the 2[Government of Tamil Nadu.] 

1. Diploma in Nursing–– Sister Tutor Course. 

2. College of Nursing, New Delhi 

4.  The  School  of  Nursing,  Christian 
Medical College, Vellore. 

4 [5 * * * * * * 

6.  The  All  India  Institute  of  Mental 
Health, Bangalore. 

7.  The  All  India  Institute of  Hygiene  and 
Public Health, Calcutta. 

2. Diploma in Nursing––Nursing Administration Course. 

1.  Post-certificate  course  in  Public  Health  Nursing  (when 
issued before 31st day of December 1953). 

2. Combined post-certificate course in Teaching and Nursing 
Administration  (when  issued  before  the  31st  day  of  August, 
1957). 

3. Certificate of examination in Ward Sisters Course. 

3 [4.Certificate  of  Examination  in  Nursing  Administration 
Course.[(whengranted on or before the 30th June, 1961). 

5.  Certificate  of  Examination  in  Sister  Tutor  Course.[(when 
granted on or before the 30th June, 1966).] 

6. Certificate of Examination in Midwife Tutor Course [(when 
granted on or before the 30th June, 1961).] 

7. Diploma in Nursing Administration. 

8. Nursing Tutors Diploma. 

9. Midwife Tutors Diploma.] 

 Diploma in Teaching and Supervision (Sister Tutor Course.) 

 Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing. 

Certificate in Public Health Nursing. 

8. The Public Health Department, Madras.   Diploma in Public Health Nursing. 

9. The Tuberculosis Association of India 
5 [10. The Bombay Nursing Council. 

 Diploma in Tuberculosis Nursing.] 

 (a) Diploma in Paediatric Nursing, 

11. The Mid-India Board Graduate School 
for Nurses 

(a) Diploma of Ward Sisters Course, 

(b) Diploma of Sisters Tutor Course. 

(b) Diploma in Public Health Nursing. 

1. Subs.  for the Schedule by the Indian Nursing Council (Amendment) Act, 1957 (45 of 1957), s. 14 (w. e. f. 1-12-1958). 
2. Subs. for the words "Government of Madras" by G.S.R. 112 of 1970. 
3.Date added against items 4, 5 and 6 corrected, items 7 to 9 inserted and items4, 5, 6 corrected by S.O. 1391 
4. omitted by S.O. 1703. 
5. Ins. by notification No.S.O. 1597. 

17 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
                                                           
1[12.  The  Lady  Reading  Health  School, 
Delhi  

2[13. University of Kerala.  

(c) Diploma in Nursing Administration Course, 

(d) Diploma in Public Health Nursing.] 

 Certificate in public Health Nursing.] 

Diploma  in  Teaching  and  Administration  in  Nursing  (when 
issued on or after the 1st October, 1961). 

14.  Uttar  Pradesh  Nurses  and  Mid-wives 
Council State Faculty Uttar Pradesh 

Certificate in Ward Administration Course. 

15. Maharashtra Nursing Council. 
3[16. MaharashtraNursing Council. 

Diploma in Public Health Nursing. ] 

Diploma in pediatric Nursing. 

17.  The  4 [Karnataka]  State  Board  of 
Examiners for Nurses. 

Certificate in Ward Administration Course. 

18. The University of Kerala. 

B.Sc. Degree in Nursing.] 

5[19. Mid-India Board Examiners of  
Nurses League of the Christian Medical 
Association of India. 

(1)  Diploma  in Ward  Sisters  Course(when issued  on or  after 
the 1th January 1966). 

(2) Diploma in Sister Tutor Course. 

(3) Diploma in Nursing Administration Course. 

(4) Diploma in PublicNursing. 

20.The    Director  of  Health  and  Medical 
Services (Health), Gujarat. 

Diploma  in  Public  health  (Nursing) (when issued  on or  after 
the  18thMay 1964). 

of 
21.The  Mysore 
Examination  for  Post  Box  Course  in 
Nursing Education. 

State  Board 

Diploma  in  Nursing  Education  (when  issued  on  or  afterthe 
1stMay1964).] 

6 [22  The  Holy  Family  Hospital,  New 
delhi. 

 Ward  Sisters  Diploma  (when  issued  on  or  after  the  1st 
August 1965).] 

23. 

24. 

25. 

26. 

27. 

28.  Uttar  Pradesh  State  Medical  Faculty 
Lucknow. 

Diploma in Public Health, Nursing (when granted on or after 
the 1st April 1968.) 

29.  Director  of  Health  Services  Kerala 
Trivendrum. 

Certificate  in  P.H.N.  (when  granted  between  the  1st  August 
1961 and 23rd October 1971 (both dates included.) 

30. Kerala Nurses and Mid-wives Council   P.H.N. certificate granted between 24th October 1971 to 23rd 

1.Ins by notification No. S.O. 350. 
2. Ins. by notification No.S.O. 2682. 
3. Ins. by notification No. S. O. 3042. 
4. Subs. by Mysore State (Alteration of Name) (Adaptation of Laws on Union Subject) order, 1974, for “Mysore” (w.e.f. 1-11-

1973). 

5. Ins. by notification No.S.O. 2187. 
6. Ins. by notification No.S.O. 1628. 

18 

  
  
  
  
  
                                                           
Trivendrum. 

October 1972 (both dates inclusive.) 

31. Bombay University, Bombay. 

 Post  certificate  B.Sc.  Degree  in  Nursing  granted  on  or  after 
the 1st day of April, 1971. 

32.  Armed 
Examination Board, New Delhi. . 

forces  Medical  Service 

 Post  certificate  Diploma  in  Orthopaedic  Nursing  granted  on 
or after the 11th January, 1975. 

33.  The  College  of  Nursing,  Christian 
Medical College and Hospital, Vellore. 

 Post  certificate  Diploma  in  operating  Room  Technique  and 
Management granted on or after the July 1967. 

34. University of Poona, Poona 

 Post-Basic B.Sc. Degree in Nursing (when granted on or after 
the June, 1984). 

35.  S.N.D.T.  Women's  University, 
Bombay. 

M.Sc.  (Nursing)  Degree  (when  granted  on  or  after  the 
24thNovember, 1978). 

36. Shivaji University. Kolhapur. 

 Post-Basic B.Sc. Degree in Nursing (when granted on or after 
the June, 1975. 

[37  Directorate  of  Health  Services, 
Madhya Pradesh 

 Diploma  in  Public  Health  Diploma  in  Nursing  Education 
(When granted on or after the 1st June, 1982). ]