Uttarakhand has expanded its nursing education network, adding 321 seats through 3 government nursing colleges established since July 2021. The move is aimed at improving access to professional education and creating stronger employment opportunities for young people in the state.

The expansion has taken the total number of seats across courses at government nursing colleges to 879. Private nursing institutions in Uttarakhand now have 10,616 seats across nursing programmes.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the state government’s objective is to provide young people with quality education and better employment opportunities. The government has linked the expansion of nursing education with stronger healthcare services and wider career opportunities in India and abroad.

New seats and nursing programmes

The 3 government institutions established after July 2021 have added 321 seats. These include 151 seats for BSc Nursing, 120 for MSc Nursing, 20 for NPCC and 30 for NPM.

The institutions offer several programmes, including ANM, GNM, BSc Nursing, Basic BSc Nursing, MSc Nursing, NPCC and NPM. The expansion is intended to strengthen the availability of trained nursing professionals while giving students more options for higher and specialised education.

The government is also preparing students for international employment. Alongside professional training, students are being taught foreign languages including Japanese, German and Spanish. According to the information provided by the state, 60 candidates from 2 batches secured employment in Japan in 2023, while 13 candidates secured employment in Germany in 2025.

Private institutions and student demand

Since July 2021, 76 private nursing institutions in the state have received certificates required to run courses. Approval was granted for 5,138 seats across different programmes at these institutions.

With the additional approvals, the total number of seats across all nursing courses in private institutions has reached 10,616. Students from Uttarakhand and from Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar and northeastern states are enrolling in private nursing institutions in the state.

The wider student base is expanding the reach of nursing education in Uttarakhand. It is also creating employment possibilities in private hospitals and nursing institutions, although a separate figure for those jobs is not yet available.

Faculty recruitment and staffing

The state has also focused on staffing nursing institutions. Medical Education Director Dr Ashutosh Sayana said appointments and the creation of new s were being prioritised to support quality education, following directions from the chief minister.

In December 2021, 40 tutors were appointed. Another 26 tutors were appointed by June 2025, taking the total number of regular nursing tutors to 66.

In October 2022, 9 faculty members were appointed, including 8 assistant professors and one associate professor. New s were also created for tutors, assistant professors, associate professors, professors and deputy principals.

7 more faculty members were appointed in November 2025. The appointment process for 16 assistant professor s has moved forward after the final examination results were released. In September, requisitions for 30 tutor s were sent to the Uttarakhand Medical Service Selection Board.

Rising interest in nursing courses

The Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Medical Education University conducts the entrance examination for nursing courses. The examination receives about 12,000 to 15,000 applications every year.

The application numbers indicate strong interest among young people in nursing education. The state’s current expansion combines additional seats, faculty recruitment, new programmes and foreign-language training as it seeks to connect students with employment while supporting healthcare services.

Conclusion

Uttarakhand has increased nursing education capacity through new government colleges, private-sector approvals and faculty recruitment. The state is also using foreign-language training and international placements to widen employment pathways for nursing students.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How many nursing seats were added through government colleges after July 2021?

3 government nursing colleges added 321 seats after July 2021.

Q. How many seats are now available in government nursing colleges?

The total number of seats across courses in government nursing colleges has reached 879.

Q. How many seats are available in private nursing institutions?

Private nursing institutions in Uttarakhand have 10,616 seats across nursing courses.

Q. Which foreign languages are being taught to nursing students?

Students are being trained in Japanese, German and Spanish alongside their professional education.

Q. How many candidates secured jobs in Japan in 2023?

A total of 60 candidates from 2 batches secured employment in Japan in 2023.

Q. How many candidates secured jobs in Germany in 2025?

Thirteen candidates secured employment in Germany in 2025.

Q. How many regular nursing tutors are currently mentioned in the update?

The number of regular nursing tutors reached 66 by June 2025.

Q. How many applications does the nursing entrance examination receive each year?

The entrance examination receives about 12,000 to 15,000 applications annually.