Kerala to set up a Nursing University and raise nursing seats by 50%

By TUF News Desk · Published 12 November 2026 · 3 min read

Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy

Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh. That is what a nursing course in another state can cost a family from Kerala, and thousands of students pay it every year because seats at home run out. The state government now wants to keep those students, and that money, inside Kerala.

Chief Minister V D Satheesan announced on Wednesday that Kerala will set up a dedicated Nursing University and increase nursing seats across the state by 50 per cent. He was speaking in Thiruvananthapuram while inaugurating the state conference of the Kerala Government Nurses Union. The aim, he said, is to make quality nursing education more accessible and affordable, so students can pursue their ambitions closer to home.

50 per cent more seats

The seat increase is the part that matters first for aspirants. Nursing seats in Kerala will rise by half, though the government has not said how many seats the state has today, so the exact number of new seats is still unknown. Satheesan said the expansion would not come at the cost of academic standards, and he repeated the assurance while announcing the university.

The government will also review the rules that govern nursing education in the state. Satheesan said regulations set by the Kerala Nursing Council are stricter than those of the Indian Nursing Council, and the review will bring state rules in line with national standards while making it easier for new institutions to open and existing ones to grow.

Health will get special priority in the government’s spending, Satheesan said, despite the state’s financial constraints. He added that the government was prepared to limit spending in other departments if that is what it takes to strengthen healthcare and health education.

Why the announcement matters

The demand for nursing seats is not the problem. Every year, thousands of Kerala students leave the state to study nursing, and many families pay far more for a course elsewhere than they would at home. The new university and the extra seats are meant to close that gap.

A dedicated university would give nursing education its own institutional home in the state. Students weighing nursing options in Kerala can start with the Kerala University of Health Sciences profile, and our guide to choosing a university explains how to compare colleges on fees, faculty and placements.

What students should do now

There is nothing to apply for yet. The announcement sets the direction, and the details will come later: how the new university will admit students, when the extra seats will open, and which colleges will add them. Students planning a nursing admission should keep their documents ready and watch the state counselling schedule. Our admission documents checklist covers what counselling portals usually ask for.

Frequently asked questions

What has Kerala announced for nursing education?

A dedicated Nursing University and a 50 per cent increase in nursing seats across the state. Chief Minister V D Satheesan announced both at the Kerala Government Nurses Union conference in Thiruvananthapuram.

Why do Kerala students study nursing in other states?

Seats inside Kerala have not kept pace with demand, so thousands of students go to colleges in other states and often spend Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh on the course.

Will the extra nursing seats lower academic standards?

The chief minister said quality will not be compromised. The government will review state nursing regulations so they meet national standards while allowing more institutions to open.

When will the Nursing University start admissions?

No date has been announced yet. The announcement sets the plan in motion, and admission details will follow in later government orders.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: The Indian Express, Careers360, The Economic Times