Government colleges to offer cheaper nursing courses amid rising demand

Tamil Nadu’s health ministry revealed that around 1,500 extra BSc Nursing places will be created in its state‑run medical colleges for the upcoming year. The seats will be distributed among fourteen colleges, such as Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Dharmapuri, Tirunelveli, Tiruchirappalli and Namakkal. Presently, the six government colleges provide 510 seats at a modest Rs 13,750 per student per annum, far below the Rs 12 lakh tuition charged by many private schools. This policy is designed to satisfy the escalating demand for qualified nurses while keeping education financially accessible. Officials expect the added capacity to lessen the economic burden on families and open new pathways for youth aspiring to join the nursing profession. The scheme also foresees the creation of more than 700 pharmacy seats, with ongoing work on infrastructure upgrades and faculty hiring to fulfill regulatory obligations.