Question : APPROVAL FOR NURSING COURSES

(a) the norms and procedure laid down by the Indian Nursing Council (INC) for grant of approval to introduce new courses in the nursing colleges in the country;

(b) whether certain instances of irregularities and malpractices in grant of permission for new nursing courses have been reported in the country;

(c) if so, the details thereof during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(d) the action taken/proposed by INC/ the Government against the offenders during the said period; and

(e) the steps taken/proposed by the Government to streamline the system in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)

(a): The criteria and procedure as laid down by Indian Nursing Council (INC) available on their official website www.indiannursingcouncil.org is as follows: The School/College of Nursing desiring to open new nursing course are first required to obtain a No Objection Certificate/Essentiality Certificate from the concerned State governments; thereafter the concerned institutions are to apply to the INC in the proforma prescribed indicating therein the teaching, clinical and infrastructural facilities available in the institution. After receipt of the complete proposal the council conducts inspections through independent inspectors appointed under the provisions of section 13 of INC Act, 1947. The report of the independent inspector is placed before the Executive Committee of the INC which after evaluating the inspection report decides as to whether the institution has to be granted suitability/recognition or not.

(b): No, Such instances reported by INC.

(c) to (e): Question does not arise.