Bhopal: About 60,000 nurses in the state are in crisis as the counselling has been stalled following exposure of corruption in granting suitable tag to nursing colleges. Out of 21 government nursing colleges, only 8 are recognized, leaving 13 unrecognized. In contrast, the private sector has flourished, with 188 colleges recognized for BSc Nursing and 231 for GNM Nursing. This shift has resulted in high tuition fees for students seeking degrees. Approximately 60,000 candidates who took the 2022 Pre-Nursing Selection Test are still awaiting counseling, prompting them to take their grievances to the Supreme Court.
The nursing education scenario has changed dramatically since 2019, when around 450 colleges existed. During Covid period between 2020 and 2022, over 200 new colleges emerged, many lacking essential infrastructure, qualified staff, and practical training facilities. Public Interest Litigations (PILs) filed by advocates Vishal Baghel and Dilip Sharma led to a CBI investigation into these institutions.
The CBI inspected 308 of the 700+ colleges. But CBI officials allegedly accepted bribes from college operators for favorable assessments. This year, admissions faced delays, with processes starting only on September 22. The last date for admissions is October 31. Student organizations claim that a “nursing mafia” exerts undue influence on the system, affecting enrollment and examination procedures.
