Future of nursing students in jeopardy as INC de-recognises Karnataka’s nursing colleges

The Indian Nursing Council (INC) has removed names of all colleges functioning in Karnataka from its official list, in the second such instance this year. The INC move has come as a huge shock to college managements and students in the midst of the academic year. It is likely to put the future of thousands of nursing students in the state in jeopardy.

The INC is a national regulatory body for nurses and nurse education in India. It is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.

In fact the tussle began way back in December 2016 when the Karnataka government issued an order stating that nursing colleges do not require INC approval when they have nod from RGUHS and the Karnataka Nursing Council. In July, the INC struck off all colleges in state from its list. Soon college names were reinstated, following court order and government intervention.

Students from others states studying in Karnataka are likely to face more problems due to the INC’s de-recognition. “Most of us studying in Karnataka are from other States. We want to go back to our home town for work. Many of us will also look for jobs abroad. Hospitals will not hire us if we do not have the backing of INC,” a nursing student said.

A management member of the nursing college said that the differences between the State government and INC had led to the situation. “Both of them should amicably settle the issue in order to protect the interests of lakhs of students,” he said.

Another college principal pointed out that the INC was restrained from the publishing list of nursing institutes recognised by the Supreme Court. “Why are only colleges from Karnataka removed and not others,” she asked.

INC has given no reason for the move. “They removed even genuine colleges from the list. While doing so, the authorities must inform the colleges giving valid reason,” said a college principal.

There are over 400 nursing colleges in the state of which 257 were approved by INC. Classes for the current academic year started in September.