Nearly 1.91 lakh candidates applied for the AIIMS BSc (Hons) Nursing entrance examination for the August 2026 session, reflecting a sharp rise in student interest in healthcare careers. According to data obtained through an RTI response, AIIMS received 1,90,740 applications for the programme.
The data also showed growing interest in BSc Allied & Healthcare Courses, which received 1,17,033 applications for the 2026 session. The figures indicate that students are increasingly exploring healthcare careers beyond the traditional MBBS route, including nursing and specialised allied healthcare programmes.
AIIMS BSc Nursing Applications Rise Sharply
AIIMS BSc Nursing applications have increased significantly over the past five years. The number of applications rose from 16,485 in 2021 to 1,80,117 in 2025. For the August 2026 session, the figure increased further to 1,90,740.
The category-wise data also showed substantial growth across OBC (NCL), Unreserved, SC, EWS and ST categories. OBC (NCL) applications increased from 6,754 in 2021 to 78,319 in 2025, while UR applications rose from 5,542 to 48,988 during the same period.
Allied Healthcare Courses Also Attract More Students
BSc Allied & Healthcare Courses have also witnessed a major increase in applications. According to the RTI data, applications rose from 6,878 in 2021 to 1,26,968 in 2025, before reaching 1,17,033 for the August 2026 session.
Allied healthcare covers several specialised undergraduate programmes, including medical laboratory technology, ophthalmic sciences, radiotherapy and perfusion technology. Professionals in these fields contribute to diagnostic, therapeutic and other specialised healthcare services.
Healthcare Careers Beyond MBBS And Nursing
Vipul Sharma, an allied healthcare professional who sought the information under the RTI Act, said greater awareness is needed about healthcare professions beyond medicine and nursing.
The growth comes as a large number of students compete for medical seats every year. Around 22 lakh candidates appear for NEET-UG annually, while the number of MBBS seats is slightly above one lakh. This leads many students to consider alternative healthcare career pathways.
Course Fees And Career Opportunities
The cost of allied healthcare programmes can vary considerably depending on the institution and course. Government medical colleges and central institutions may offer some programmes at relatively low fees, while private universities and deemed institutions can charge substantially higher amounts.
Courses such as physiotherapy, medical imaging technology and cardiac technology can provide specialised career opportunities. Meanwhile, nursing remains a familiar choice partly because of established government recruitment pathways such as the Nursing Officer Recruitment Common Eligibility Test (NORCET).
Experts also point out that allied healthcare should not necessarily be viewed only as an alternative after failing to secure an MBBS seat. These programmes represent specialised healthcare professions, with graduates working in areas such as laboratories, diagnostics, imaging, therapy and other hospital services.