The Indian Nursing Students Organisation (INSO) has launched a significant protest against a recent policy change by the Haryana government that is impacting aspiring nursing students across the state. The contentious rule mandates a minimum of 50% marks in the qualifying examination for admission to the Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Nursing program.
What is the New Policy Sparking Outrage?
At the heart of the controversy is a directive from the Haryana Nurses and Nurse-Midwives Council. The council has established a new eligibility criterion stating that candidates must have secured at least 50% aggregate marks in their Class 12 examination, with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as compulsory subjects, to be considered for BSc Nursing courses. This policy was officially notified and came into effect, altering the previous admission standards.
INSO representatives argue that this 50% minimum marks policy is arbitrary and creates an unfair barrier. They contend that it will disproportionately affect students from rural backgrounds, those from government schools, and economically weaker sections, for whom achieving such a high percentage can be exceptionally challenging due to various socio-economic and educational resource disparities.
The Core Arguments of the Protesting Students
The Indian Nursing Students Organisation is not mincing words in its opposition. They have labeled the policy as “discriminatory” and “illogical,” claiming it will drastically reduce the pool of eligible candidates and exacerbate the existing shortage of nursing professionals in the country. Their primary demand is an immediate and complete rollback of the notification.
Protestors highlight a critical inconsistency: while the policy sets a high bar for general category students, the reservation categories have a lower threshold. They demand a uniform qualifying mark for all students to ensure equal opportunity. Furthermore, INSO points out that other paramedical courses and even nursing programs in many other states do not impose such a high percentage requirement, making Haryana's rule an outlier that could deter talent.
Official Response and Mounting Pressure
In response to the growing agitation, the Haryana Nurses and Nurse-Midwives Council has defended its position. Council officials stated that the decision was taken to “maintain the quality of nursing education” in the state. They believe that a higher academic benchmark at the entry level will ensure that only well-prepared students enter the rigorous nursing program, ultimately leading to better-trained healthcare professionals.
However, this justification has failed to pacify the protestors. INSO has organized demonstrations and is mobilizing support from nursing student communities nationwide. They warn of intensifying their agitation if the government does not relent. The protest puts the Haryana government in a difficult position, balancing the aim of educational quality with concerns over accessibility and equity in a critical healthcare profession.
The outcome of this standoff will have direct consequences for thousands of students hoping to pursue nursing in Haryana this academic year. It also raises broader questions about standardizing professional course admissions and addressing the nation's healthcare workforce needs without creating exclusive educational gateways.
