ABVMU UP Common Nursing Entrance Test UPCNET Admit Card 2026
Job Description
Eligibility
How to Apply
Overview
The UPCNET (Uttar Pradesh Common Nursing Entrance Test) 2026 is conducted by Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical University (ABVMU), Lucknow for admission to various undergraduate and postgraduate nursing courses in government and private nursing colleges across Uttar Pradesh. This state-level entrance examination is the gateway for aspiring nursing professionals seeking admission to B.Sc. Nursing, Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing, and M.Sc. Nursing programmes. The test assesses candidates' knowledge in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and General Awareness. Successful candidates are offered admission based on their rank, category, and choice of institute through centralized counselling. ABVMU is the designated nodal agency for conducting this entrance test on behalf of the Uttar Pradesh government.
Important Dates
Important Dates (Indicative)
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | February 2026 |
| Application Start Date | February 2026 |
| Application Last Date | March 2026 |
| Fee Payment Last Date | March 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | April 2026 |
| Exam Date | May 2026 |
| Result Declaration | June 2026 |
| Counselling Start | June-July 2026 |
Vacancy Details
Vacancy Breakdown (Typical / Indicative)
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR (Unreserved) | 2500 |
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | 1100 |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 400 |
| OBC (Other Backward Classes) | 1500 |
| EWS (Economically Weaker Section) | 500 |
| Total | 6000 |
Note: Actual vacancies vary based on participating institutions and courses.
Eligibility
Educational Qualification
For B.Sc. Nursing:
- Passed 10+2 examination with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English
- Minimum 45% marks in aggregate (40% for SC/ST candidates)
- Must have completed 17 years of age as on December 31st of admission year
For Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing:
- Registered Nurse and Midwife with valid registration
- GNM (General Nursing & Midwifery) or equivalent diploma
- Minimum one year experience as Registered Nurse
For M.Sc. Nursing:
- B.Sc. Nursing degree from recognized university
- Registered Nurse and Midwife with valid registration
- Minimum 55% marks in B.Sc. Nursing (50% for SC/ST)
Age Limit
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|---|---|
| General/UR | 18 years | 35 years | - |
| SC/ST | 18 years | 40 years | +5 years |
| OBC | 18 years | 38 years | +3 years |
| PwD (Persons with Disabilities) | 18 years | 45 years | +10 years |
Age calculated as on December 31st of admission year
Nationality
- Must be a citizen of India
- Candidates must be domiciled in Uttar Pradesh for state quota seats
How to Apply
Application Process
- Visit the official ABVMU UPCNET website (www.abvmuup.in or designated portal)
- Click on 'UPCNET 2026 Application' link on the homepage
- Complete new candidate registration with basic details (name, mobile, email)
- Verify mobile number and email through OTP
- Login using generated credentials and fill the application form
- Upload scanned documents (photograph, signature, category certificate, qualifying exam marksheet)
- Select preferred exam city/centre from available options
- Pay the application fee through online mode (Net Banking/Debit Card/Credit Card/UPI)
- Submit the application form and save the confirmation page
- Take printout of filled application form for future reference
Application Fees
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS | ₹1,500 |
| SC/ST | ₹750 |
| PwD (Person with Disability) | ₹750 |
Payment modes: Online only (Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, UPI)
Selection Process
Selection Process
- Written Entrance Test: Single-stage objective type computer-based test (CBT) or offline OMR-based exam covering Physics, Chemistry, Biology and General Awareness for undergraduate courses; subject-specific questions for postgraduate courses. Duration of 2-3 hours with 100-150 questions.
- Merit List Preparation: Candidates are ranked based on total marks obtained in the entrance test. In case of tie, resolution through age criterion (older candidate gets preference), then qualifying exam marks percentage.
- Counselling Process: Centralized online counselling conducted in multiple rounds. Candidates must report for document verification, choice filling of colleges/courses, and seat allotment based on merit rank and availability.
- Document Verification: Physical verification of original documents including educational certificates, domicile certificate, category certificates, and other required documents at designated centres.
- Final Admission: Provisional admission granted upon payment of admission fee and submission of required documents to the allotted institution. Final admission subject to medical fitness and verification by the concerned nursing college.
Exam Pattern
Exam Pattern - B.Sc. Nursing
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | 30 | 30 | 120 minutes |
| Chemistry | 30 | 30 | (2 hours) |
| Biology | 50 | 50 | Total |
| General Awareness | 20 | 20 | |
| Total | 130 | 130 | 120 minutes |
Negative Marking: No negative marking
Exam Pattern - M.Sc. Nursing
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing Foundation | 40 | 40 | 120 minutes |
| Medical-Surgical Nursing | 30 | 30 | (2 hours) |
| Community Health Nursing | 20 | 20 | Total |
| Child Health Nursing | 20 | 20 | |
| Mental Health Nursing | 20 | 20 | |
| Research & Statistics | 20 | 20 | |
| Total | 150 | 150 | 120 minutes |
Negative Marking: No negative marking
Exam mode may be online (CBT) or offline (OMR-based) as per ABVMU notification
Syllabus
Syllabus
Physics (for B.Sc. Nursing)
- Laws of Motion and Force
- Work, Energy and Power
- Gravitation
- Properties of Matter
- Heat and Thermodynamics
- Optics and Light
- Electricity and Magnetism
- Modern Physics basics
- Units and Measurements
Chemistry (for B.Sc. Nursing)
- Atomic Structure and Periodic Table
- Chemical Bonding
- States of Matter
- Chemical Equilibrium
- Acids, Bases and Salts
- Organic Chemistry fundamentals
- Environmental Chemistry
- Biomolecules
- Chemistry in Everyday Life
Biology (for B.Sc. Nursing)
- Cell Biology and Biomolecules
- Genetics and Evolution
- Human Physiology (Digestive, Respiratory, Circulatory, Excretory, Nervous, Endocrine systems)
- Reproduction in Organisms
- Ecology and Environment
- Biotechnology and its Applications
- Human Health and Disease
- Plant Physiology
General Awareness
- Current Affairs (National and International)
- Indian History and Culture
- Indian Geography
- Indian Polity and Constitution
- General Science
- Healthcare and Medical developments
- Uttar Pradesh specific GK
Nursing Subjects (for M.Sc. Nursing)
- Nursing Foundation and Fundamentals
- Medical-Surgical Nursing (Adult Health)
- Community Health Nursing
- Pediatric/Child Health Nursing
- Obstetrics and Gynecological Nursing
- Mental Health/Psychiatric Nursing
- Nursing Research and Statistics
- Nursing Education and Administration
Salary
Salary Details (Typical / Indicative)
Note: This exam is for admission to nursing courses, not direct government employment. Below are typical salaries after course completion for government nursing jobs in UP:
| Component | Amount (Monthly) |
|---|---|
| Starting Basic Pay (Staff Nurse) | ₹35,000 - ₹44,900 |
| Pay Scale (as per 7th CPC) | Level-7 (₹44,900 - ₹1,42,400) |
| Gross Monthly Salary | ₹55,000 - ₹65,000 |
| In-Hand Salary (approx.) | ₹45,000 - ₹55,000 |
Major Allowances:
- Dearness Allowance (DA): 50% of Basic Pay (varies with central DA rates)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA): 8-24% based on city classification
- Transport Allowance: ₹1,600 - ₹3,200 per month
- Night Duty Allowance: ₹200-300 per shift
- Nursing Allowance: ₹4,000 - ₹7,000 per month
- Other allowances as applicable under state government rules
Career Growth
After completing nursing courses through UPCNET and joining government healthcare services, nurses follow a structured career progression. Staff Nurses can be promoted to Senior Staff Nurse (after 4-5 years), then to Nursing Sister/Nursing Supervisor (after 8-10 years), Assistant Nursing Superintendent, Deputy Nursing Superintendent, and finally to Nursing Superintendent/Principal of Nursing College. Additional qualifications like M.Sc. Nursing, M.Phil, or Ph.D. significantly enhance promotion prospects and enable entry into teaching and administrative roles in medical colleges and nursing institutions.
Admit Card
The UPCNET 2026 Admit Card will be released approximately 10-15 days before the scheduled examination date on the official ABVMU website. Candidates must login to their registered account using application number and password/date of birth to download their admit card. The admit card contains crucial details including candidate's name, photograph, exam centre address, exam date and time, and important instructions. No physical admit card will be sent by post; candidates must carry a printed copy along with valid photo ID proof to the examination centre.
Result
UPCNET 2026 results will be declared within 3-4 weeks after the examination on the official ABVMU portal. The result includes candidate's total marks, rank (All India and category-wise), qualifying status, and cutoff marks. Candidates can check their result by logging in with their application number and password. A merit list of qualified candidates will be published separately, and only those candidates who meet the cutoff criteria will be eligible for counselling. Mark sheets and rank cards can be downloaded from the portal after result declaration.
Expected Cutoff
UPCNET cutoff marks vary each year based on exam difficulty, number of applicants, and available seats. Typically, for B.Sc. Nursing, General category candidates need around 50-60% marks (65-78 out of 130), while SC/ST candidates may qualify with 35-45% marks (45-58 out of 130). For M.Sc. Nursing, cutoffs are generally higher, with General category requiring 60-70% marks. Category-wise cutoffs are released separately, with reserved category candidates having lower qualifying thresholds. Previous year cutoffs serve as reference but actual cutoffs depend on current year's exam performance.
Exam Centres
Exam Centres
UPCNET 2026 examinations are conducted across multiple cities primarily in Uttar Pradesh and select cities in neighboring states:
Uttar Pradesh: Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, Allahabad (Prayagraj), Agra, Meerut, Bareilly, Aligarh, Moradabad, Gorakhpur, Noida, Ghaziabad, Faizabad, Jhansi, Mathura, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Firozabad
North: Delhi (NCR), Dehradun
East: Patna
*Candidates can select their preferred exam city during application process; final exam centre allotment is subject to availability
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the educational qualification required for UPCNET B.Sc. Nursing?
Candidates must have passed 10+2 examination with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English as subjects with minimum 45% marks in aggregate (40% for SC/ST candidates). The candidate must have completed 17 years of age as on December 31st of the admission year.
What is the application fee for UPCNET 2026?
The application fee is ₹1,500 for General/OBC/EWS category candidates and ₹750 for SC/ST/PwD category candidates. Payment can be made only through online mode using Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, or UPI.
How many seats are available through UPCNET?
The total number of seats varies each year depending on participating nursing colleges. Typically, around 6,000 seats are available across B.Sc. Nursing, Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing, and M.Sc. Nursing programmes in government and private colleges of Uttar Pradesh combined.
What is the salary after completing nursing course through UPCNET?
After completing the nursing course and joining as Staff Nurse in UP government hospitals, the starting basic pay is ₹44,900 (Level-7 as per 7th Pay Commission) with gross monthly salary of ₹55,000-65,000 including allowances. In-hand salary typically ranges from ₹45,000-55,000 per month.
How many attempts are allowed for UPCNET?
There is no restriction on the number of attempts for UPCNET. Candidates can appear for the examination multiple times as long as they meet the age eligibility criteria (18-35 years for General category with relaxation for reserved categories).
Is there negative marking in UPCNET examination?
No, there is no negative marking in the UPCNET examination. Candidates are awarded marks only for correct answers, and no marks are deducted for incorrect or unattempted questions.
How can I apply for UPCNET 2026?
UPCNET application is available only through online mode on the official ABVMU website. Candidates need to register, fill the application form, upload required documents (photograph, signature, certificates), select exam centre preference, pay the application fee online, and submit the form. No offline application is accepted.
What are the stages in the UPCNET selection process?
The selection process includes: (1) Written Entrance Test (single-stage objective exam), (2) Merit List preparation based on test scores, (3) Online Counselling with document verification, (4) Choice filling and seat allotment, and (5) Final admission upon fee payment and document submission to the allotted college.