introduction to GNM Full Form & Salary
Quick Answer: GNM stands for General Nursing and Midwifery. A GNM nurse in a central government hospital (AIIMS, ESIC, Railways) gets Pay Level 7 with a basic pay of ₹44,900. The in-hand salary is about ₹80,000 to ₹92,000 per month. State government GNM nurses get ₹35,000 to ₹75,000, and private hospitals pay ₹15,000 to ₹35,000.
If you searched for “GNM full form salary”, you probably want two answers: what GNM means and how much a GNM nurse earns. This guide covers both, using 2026 figures, the current 60% DA rate, and a complete in-hand salary calculation.
Note: All figures are based on official pay rules and recruitment notifications. They may change when DA is revised.
GNM Full Form
GNM full form is General Nursing and Midwifery. It is a three-year diploma course recognised by the Indian Nursing Council (INC). In Hindi, GNM ka full form is “जनरल नर्सिंग एंड मिडवाइफरी”.
Students who complete GNM and register with their State Nursing Council become Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives (RN & RM). After that, they can work as Staff Nurses or Nursing Officers in government and private hospitals.
GNM Salary Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Form | General Nursing and Midwifery |
| Post Name | Staff Nurse / Nursing Officer |
| Departments | AIIMS, ESIC, Railways, CAPFs, State Health Departments, NHM |
| Pay Level (Central) | Level 7 (some posts Level 6) |
| Basic Pay (Central) | ₹44,900 per month |
| Gross Salary (Central, X City) | Around ₹1,00,000 per month |
| In-Hand Salary (Central) | ₹80,000 – ₹92,000 per month |
| In-Hand Salary (State Govt) | ₹35,000 – ₹75,000 per month |
| Private Hospital Salary | ₹15,000 – ₹35,000 per month |
| Annual Package (Central) | ₹10.5 lakh – ₹12 lakh |
GNM Pay Scale and Pay Level (7th Pay Commission)
Government GNM nurses are paid under the 7th Pay Commission pay matrix. The pay level depends on the employer and post.
| Post / Organisation | Pay Level | Pay Scale (Basic) |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing Officer – AIIMS (via NORCET) | Level 7 | ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 |
| Staff Nurse – ESIC | Level 7 | ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 |
| Nursing Superintendent – Railways (RRB) | Level 7 | ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 |
| Grade A Nurse – Delhi Govt (DSSSB) | Level 7 | ₹44,900 – ₹1,42,400 |
| Sub-Inspector (Staff Nurse) – ITBP / CAPFs | Level 6 | ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400 |
| Staff Nurse – State Govt (varies) | State matrix | ₹28,700 – ₹44,900 (starting) |
| Staff Nurse – NHM (Contract) | Fixed pay | ₹18,000 – ₹30,000 |
In the old 6th Pay Commission system, most central GNM staff nurse posts were in Pay Band-2 (₹9,300–₹34,800) with a Grade Pay of ₹4,600. That Grade Pay now maps to Level 7.
Important: AIIMS NORCET accepts GNM diploma holders only if they have at least two years of experience in a hospital with a minimum of 50 beds. B.Sc Nursing graduates can apply without experience.
GNM Salary Per Month: In-Hand Calculation
Here is a month-wise breakdown for a newly joined central government GNM Nursing Officer at Level 7. It uses the current DA rate of 60% (effective from January 2026).
| Component | X City (Delhi, Mumbai) | Y City (Lucknow, Jaipur) | Z City (Small Towns) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Pay | ₹44,900 | ₹44,900 | ₹44,900 |
| Dearness Allowance (60%) | ₹26,940 | ₹26,940 | ₹26,940 |
| HRA (30% / 20% / 10%) | ₹13,470 | ₹8,980 | ₹4,490 |
| Transport Allowance + DA | ₹5,760 | ₹2,880 | ₹2,880 |
| Nursing Allowance | ₹9,000 | ₹9,000 | ₹9,000 |
| Gross Salary | ₹1,00,070 | ₹92,700 | ₹88,210 |
| NPS (10% of Basic + DA) | – ₹7,184 | – ₹7,184 | – ₹7,184 |
| CGHS / Health Scheme | – ₹650 | – ₹650 | – ₹650 |
| Income Tax (New Regime) | Nil* | Nil* | Nil* |
| Approx. In-Hand Salary | ₹92,236 | ₹84,866 | ₹80,376 |
*Under the new tax regime, taxable income up to ₹12 lakh gets full rebate. A fresher’s taxable income usually stays below this after standard deduction and the employer’s NPS contribution. Actual tax may change with other income.
The government also adds 14% of basic plus DA (about ₹10,058) to the nurse’s NPS account every month. This does not appear in in-hand pay, but it builds the retirement fund.
Allowances and Benefits for GNM Nurses
Government GNM nurses get several allowances on top of basic pay:
- Dearness Allowance (DA): Currently 60% of basic pay for central employees. It is revised twice a year. The July 2026 revision is still awaited.
- House Rent Allowance (HRA): 30%, 20% or 10% of basic pay depending on the city category. Not paid if government quarters are given.
- Nursing Allowance: ₹9,000 per month for central nursing staff. This is a special allowance that most other posts do not get.
- Transport Allowance: ₹3,600 or ₹1,800 plus DA, based on city.
- Uniform / Dress Allowance: Paid yearly for nursing uniforms.
- Night Duty Allowance: Paid for night shifts as per rules.
- Medical Benefits: CGHS or ESIC medical facilities for self and family.
- Leave: Earned leave, casual leave, child care leave and maternity leave (180 days).
- Pension: NPS for new joiners, with the option of the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for eligible central employees.
- LTC: Leave Travel Concession for travel within India.
State governments give similar allowances, but the DA rate and the amount of nursing and uniform allowance vary from state to state.
State-Wise GNM Salary
Many states have their own pay matrix, so the starting salary of a GNM staff nurse is different in each state. The table below shows approximate figures for regular (permanent) posts.
| State | Approx. Starting Basic Pay | Approx. In-Hand Per Month |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi (DSSSB / Delhi Govt) | ₹44,900 | ₹75,000 – ₹90,000 |
| Uttar Pradesh | ₹44,900 | ₹65,000 – ₹75,000 |
| Bihar | ₹35,400 – ₹44,900 | ₹55,000 – ₹70,000 |
| Rajasthan | Around ₹37,800 | ₹50,000 – ₹60,000 |
| Madhya Pradesh | Around ₹28,700 | ₹40,000 – ₹50,000 |
| Maharashtra | ₹35,400 – ₹41,800 | ₹50,000 – ₹65,000 |
| Haryana | ₹35,400 – ₹44,900 | ₹55,000 – ₹70,000 |
| West Bengal | ₹30,000 – ₹40,000 | ₹35,000 – ₹50,000 |
| NHM Contract (All States) | Fixed | ₹18,000 – ₹30,000 |
State figures are realistic ranges based on recent recruitment notifications. Exact pay depends on the latest state notification, state DA rate and city of posting.
GNM Nurse Salary in Private Hospitals
Private hospital pay is much lower at the start, but it rises with experience and skills.
| Experience | Monthly Salary (Private) |
|---|---|
| Fresher (0–2 years) | ₹12,000 – ₹22,000 |
| 2–5 years | ₹20,000 – ₹30,000 |
| 5–10 years | ₹28,000 – ₹45,000 |
| ICU / OT / Emergency Nurse | ₹30,000 – ₹50,000 |
Big corporate hospitals in metro cities pay more than small nursing homes. Many GNM nurses also work abroad in the Gulf, UK or Ireland after clearing licensing exams, where salaries are many times higher.
Salary After Promotion: GNM Career Growth
In central institutes like AIIMS, a GNM nurse can move up the following ladder. Timelines vary by institute and vacancy.
| Post | Pay Level | Starting Basic Pay | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing Officer | Level 7 | ₹44,900 | Entry |
| Senior Nursing Officer | Level 8 | ₹47,600 | 4–6 years |
| Assistant Nursing Superintendent | Level 10 | ₹56,100 | 10–14 years |
| Deputy Nursing Superintendent | Level 11 | ₹67,700 | 15–20 years |
| Nursing Superintendent / Chief Nursing Officer | Level 12–13 | ₹78,800 – ₹1,23,100 | Senior stage |
Apart from promotions, every nurse gets a 3% annual increment on basic pay each July. Doing Post Basic B.Sc Nursing or M.Sc Nursing later also helps in faster growth and teaching jobs.
GNM Nurse Job Profile and Duties
A GNM staff nurse handles daily patient care in wards, ICUs and OTs. Main duties include:
- Giving medicines and injections as prescribed by doctors
- Checking vital signs and keeping patient records
- Assisting in deliveries and caring for mothers and newborns
- Helping doctors during procedures and surgeries
- Running immunisation and health awareness camps in community postings
- Educating patients and families about care after discharge
Eligibility and Selection Process
Eligibility for GNM course: Class 12 pass (Science with Biology preferred; some states allow other streams), minimum age 17 years.
Eligibility for government jobs: GNM diploma plus registration with the State Nursing Council. Some posts, like AIIMS Nursing Officer, also ask for two years of hospital experience.
Selection process:
- Written exam (NORCET, ESIC, RRB, DSSSB, state exams)
- Document verification
- Medical examination
- Skill test or interview (for some posts)
GNM Salary vs Similar Posts
| Post | Pay Level | Basic Pay | Approx. In-Hand (Central) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANM (Auxiliary Nurse Midwife) | Level 4 | ₹25,500 | ₹40,000 – ₹45,000 |
| GNM Staff Nurse / Nursing Officer | Level 7 | ₹44,900 | ₹80,000 – ₹92,000 |
| B.Sc Nursing – Nursing Officer | Level 7 | ₹44,900 | ₹80,000 – ₹92,000 |
| Pharmacist (Central) | Level 5 | ₹29,200 | ₹45,000 – ₹52,000 |
| SSC GD Constable | Level 3 | ₹21,700 | ₹35,000 – ₹40,000 |
In central government jobs, GNM and B.Sc Nursing nurses start at the same pay level. The difference is that B.Sc graduates get promoted faster and can apply without experience in many exams.
FAQs
What is the full form of GNM?
GNM stands for General Nursing and Midwifery. It is a three-year diploma course for students who want to become registered nurses.
What is the salary of a GNM nurse per month?
In central government hospitals, a GNM nurse earns about ₹80,000 to ₹92,000 in hand per month. State government nurses earn ₹35,000 to ₹75,000, and private hospital nurses earn ₹15,000 to ₹35,000.
GNM ki salary kitni hai government hospital mein?
Central government hospitals pay GNM nurses at Pay Level 7, with a basic pay of ₹44,900. With DA, HRA and nursing allowance, the gross salary reaches around ₹1 lakh in metro cities.
What is the pay level of a GNM staff nurse?
Most central government GNM staff nurse and nursing officer posts are at Pay Level 7. Some posts, like ITBP Sub-Inspector (Staff Nurse), are at Level 6.
Can a GNM nurse earn ₹1 lakh per month?
Yes. A central government GNM nurse in an X-category city has a gross salary of about ₹1 lakh at the start. With promotions and DA hikes, in-hand pay also crosses ₹1 lakh over time.
Is GNM salary lower than B.Sc Nursing salary?
In central government jobs, both start at Level 7 with the same basic pay. In private hospitals and for senior posts, B.Sc Nursing holders usually earn more.
Can GNM nurses apply for AIIMS NORCET?
Yes, but they need two years of experience in a hospital with at least 50 beds, along with State Nursing Council registration.
Will the 8th Pay Commission increase GNM salary?
Yes, once the 8th Pay Commission’s recommendations are implemented, the basic pay of government nurses will be revised. Until then, salaries follow the 7th Pay Commission.
Final Thoughts
GNM is one of the most job-ready courses in the health sector. A government posting, especially in AIIMS, ESIC or Railways, offers a starting in-hand salary above ₹80,000 along with a special nursing allowance and job security. Private jobs start lower, but experience and specialisation can raise pay steadily. If salary is your top priority, aim for central government exams like NORCET after gaining the required experience.
Also read https://salaryinfoblog.com/medical-officer-salary/
