Last updated on: January 2026
If you completed GNM / ANM / B.Sc Nursing / P.B.B.Sc Nursing / M.Sc Nursing (or an equivalent nursing program) outside India and now want to register as a nurse in India or add/update your foreign nursing qualification with a State Nursing Council, you will usually need an INC Equivalency Certificate / Equivalency approval from the Indian Nursing Council (INC).
INC issues equivalency case-by-case, mainly by checking your official transcript proforma, syllabus/credits, and confirmation from the awarding authority, and then placing the case before the INC Equivalency Committee for a decision
This Nursing Manthra blog covers: who needs INC equivalency (Indian nationals + foreign nationals), official steps, document checklist, transcript proforma rules (handwritten/sealed/stamped), credit-to-hour conversion, and the “deficient hours” update (INC Notification No. 15 of 2022).
Quick Answer:
To get INC equivalency, your University/Board (awarding authority) must fill the INC transcript proforma, ensure it is handwritten with no overwriting, stamp/seal every page, and send it directly to INC. You (the candidate) submit the Demand Draft (₹5000) in favour of Secretary, INC, New Delhi and supporting documents. INC places it before the Equivalency Committee and communicates the decision.
Process at a glance (5 steps)
- Download the correct INC Transcript Proforma (ANM/GNM/B.Sc/P.B.B.Sc/M.Sc).
- University/Board fills it and sends directly to INC (candidate should not forward).
- Ensure handwritten, no correction/overwriting, seal & stamp on every page.
- Attach/mention credit-to-hour conversion (theory + practical).
- Submit DD ₹5000 + your documents → Equivalency Committee decision → use it for State Nursing Council registration/update.
This guide is for…
- Indian nationals (including many OCI/Indian passport holders) who studied nursing abroad and want registration in India or want to add a foreign qualification to an existing Indian registration.
- Foreign nationals (non-Indian citizens) in cases where INC’s provisions apply (e.g., limited/temporary permissions linked to specific purposes such as charitable institutions, as applicable under INC provisions)
What is “INC Equivalency” and why is it required?
INC Equivalency is an official assessment where INC checks whether your foreign nursing qualification is comparable to Indian standards, and then issues an approval/decision through the Equivalency Committee.
1) Indian Nationals
INC’s 25/03/2013 circular clarifies that:
- If you are already registered as Nurse & Midwife in India and later gained a foreign degree, you should obtain INC equivalency before registering the additional qualification in your State Nursing Council.
If you completed your basic/higher nursing qualification outside India after 10+2, you must submit detailed credentials + transcript in English to INC, and State Nursing Council registration is typically done after INC equivalency.
2) Foreign Nationals (overview)
INC’s equivalency page notes that foreign nationals with foreign qualifications may be considered for limited-period permissions in specific contexts (as applicable), and the 25/03/2013 circular also lists rules for foreign nationals seeking to study nursing in India (admission eligibility and restrictions).
Important Update: “Deficient Hours” (INC Notification No. 15 of 2022)
INC Notification No. 15 of 2022, dated 21/10/2022, states that candidates whose foreign nursing qualification shows deficient hours may be allowed to complete those deficient hours only from Government Nursing Institutions (for the listed programs such as GNM / P.B.B.Sc / B.Sc / M.Sc, as applicable).
Why this matters: if your transcript shows fewer clinical/theory/practical hours than expected, INC may ask for a deficiency completion route that matches this notification.
Official Procedure for Obtaining INC Equivalency (Step-by-step):
Step 1: Download the correct “Transcript Proforma”
INC provides separate proformas for different qualifications (e.g., ANM, GNM, B.Sc Nursing, P.B.B.Sc Nursing, M.Sc Nursing).
Nursing Manthra note: You mentioned you have two proformas uploaded (B.Sc transcript proforma + Diploma/GNM proforma). Use the proforma that matches your qualification type.
Step 2: Awarding authority must fill it and send it directly to INC
INC clearly states the University/Board must fill the proforma and send it directly to INC.
Step 3: Follow the strict handwriting + stamping rules (VERY IMPORTANT)
INC requires:
- Handwritten transcript proforma
- No corrections/overwriting
- Seal/stamp of the awarding authority on each page
Otherwise, INC may not accept it.
Step 4: Show credit-to-hour conversion (don’t skip this)
If your university uses credits, INC requires a clear conversion into hours, including:
- 1 credit theory = ___ hours
- 1 credit practical = ___ hours
INC explicitly notes that conversion of credits into hours is essential.
Step 5: Pay the equivalency fee (Demand Draft)
INC lists the fee as:
- Demand Draft of ₹5000/-
- In favour of Secretary, Indian Nursing Council, New Delhi
Step 6: Equivalency Committee review + decision
Once INC receives the transcript, it is placed before the Equivalency Committee, and the decision is communicated to the candidate.
Document Checklist (What to submit)
A) Documents from the University/Board (should be sent directly to INC)
- Filled INC Transcript Proforma (handwritten, no overwriting, seal/stamp on every page)
- Official transcript/marks record (as issued/endorsed by the awarding authority)
- Credit-to-hour conversion statement (theory + practical)
- Syllabus/curriculum outline (preferably signed/stamped)
- If available: summary of clinical posting/rotation hours (ward-wise)
Language rule (best practice): If documents are not in English, prepare an English translation and get it properly signed/stamped by the competent authority (common cause of delay if unclear).
B) Documents from the Candidate (send with DD + covering letter)
- Covering letter stating why you need equivalency (registration/additional qualification, etc.)
- Passport copy (ID page + relevant pages)
- Degree/Diploma certificate (foreign nursing qualification)
- Marksheets / consolidated mark statement
- Nursing registration proof from the country of qualification (and/or licensing authority)
- Good Standing Certificate (recommended if available)
- Name change proof (if mismatch): affidavit/marriage certificate/gazette
- Demand Draft ₹5000 (as per INC)
- Your contact details (email, phone, Indian address for communication)
What outcomes can INC give after evaluation?
Common results after Equivalency Committee review include:
- Equivalent (Approved)
- Equivalent with deficient hours → you may need to complete deficiencies via Government Nursing Institutions as per the 21/10/2022 notification (where applicable).
- Not equivalent / need additional information (often because the transcript is not properly verified, credit-to-hour conversion is missing, or stamps/seals are incomplete).
After you get INC Equivalency — what’s next?
For Indian Nationals
Use the INC equivalency decision to proceed with your State Nursing Council for:
- New registration (where applicable), or
- Adding/updating an additional foreign qualification.
For Foreign Nationals
Where applicable, permissions are generally linked to the purpose and duration as per INC provisions (for example, limited contexts mentioned on the INC equivalency page).
Common mistakes that cause rejection or delay
- Transcript proforma typed instead of handwritten
- Corrections/overwriting on the proforma
- Missing seal/stamp on every page
- Credits shown but no conversion into hours
- Transcript not sent directly by the University/Board
- Name mismatch without proper proof (passport vs certificate vs transcript)
INC Contact Address (official)
Indian Nursing Council
8th Floor, NBCC Center, Plot No. 2, Community Center, Okhla Phase-I, New Delhi – 110020
Phone: +91-11-66616800 / 66616821 / 66616822
Email: [email protected]
FAQ:
1) Can I send the transcript proforma myself to INC?
INC states the University/Board should send the proforma directly to INC.
2) Can the transcript proforma be typed or computer-filled?
INC requires it to be handwritten with no correction/overwriting.
3) My university uses credits, not hours. What should I do?
INC requires a clear credit-to-hour conversion for theory and practical.
4) What is the equivalency fee?
INC lists ₹5000/- Demand Draft in favour of Secretary, INC, New Delhi.
5) If INC finds “deficient hours,” how can I complete them?
As per INC Notification No. 15 of 2022 (21/10/2022), deficient hours (if any) may be completed only from Government Nursing Institutions (for the specified programs, as applicable).
6) I’m already registered in India and later got a foreign nursing degree. Do I still need equivalency?
INC’s 25/03/2013 circular says Indian nationals who acquired a foreign degree should obtain INC equivalency before registering the additional qualification in the State Nursing Council.
Need help? Contact Nursing Manthra
If you need support with INC equivalency documentation, transcript proforma guidance, checklist verification, or end-to-end follow-up, you can contact:
- WhatsApp: +971502515717
- Calling: UAE +971502515717 | India +916282756689
Mrs. Shincy George, MSN, RN, Author
