Tamil Nadu Approves 7 New Government Nursing Colleges, Adding 660 B.Sc. Nursing Seats

 CHENNAI — In a major boost to healthcare education, the Tamil Nadu government has approved the establishment of seven new government nursing colleges across the state. The move will add 660 B.Sc. Nursing seats annually, marking the first expansion of government nursing institutions in the state since 2014.

Issued by the Health and Family Welfare (PME-2) Department, the Government Order (GO) authorizes the Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University to set up the new institutions.

Seat Breakdown

• Six 100-Seat Colleges (600 Seats): Six colleges offering 100 B.Sc. Nursing seats each will be attached to existing government medical colleges in:

  • Namakkal (Government Medical College)

  • Tiruchirappalli (K.A.P. Viswanathan Government Medical College)

  • Dharmapuri (Government Medical College)

  • Vellore (Vellore Government Medical College)

  • Tiruvannamalai (Government Medical College)

  • Tirunelveli (Government Medical College)

• Seventh College at Coimbatore (60 Seats): A seventh college with an annual intake of 60 seats will be established at the Government Medical College and ESI Hospital in Coimbatore.

Funding and Infrastructure Details

• Budget Allocation: Total expenditure for the six 100-seat colleges is estimated at ₹270.27 crore (approx. ₹45.04 crore per college), funded directly through The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University.

• Facilities Ready: According to the Director of Medical Education and Research, required land and basic infrastructure are already available at the designated medical college campuses, allowing existing facilities to be utilized for the upcoming academic session.

• Staffing Setup: To limit long-term financial liabilities, manpower for these institutions will be engaged strictly on a temporary or contract basis as needed for the approved student intake. No permanent posts or long-term pensionary liabilities will be created.

Classes across all seven institutions will commence once statutory permissions, affiliations, and necessary clearances are finalized.

The initiative fulfills an announcement made under Rule 110 in the State Assembly by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, addressing the decade-long gap in new government nursing colleges and bolstering the supply of qualified nursing, pharmacy, and allied healthcare professionals across Tamil Nadu.