A legal challenge has been initiated in the Delhi High Court against the gender-exclusive eligibility criteria for B.Sc (Hons.) Nursing at Nursing colleges affiliated with All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi University, and Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. Indian Professional Nurses Association Challenges Gender-Based Eligibility Criteria for Nursing Courses in Delhi High Court

The petition urges for a revised regulation allowing individuals of all genders to qualify for admission into B.Sc. (Hons.) nursing programs. It contends that restricting males from pursuing the B.Sc. (Hons.) Nursing course in esteemed and accessible nursing colleges in the national capital is unjust and contradicts democratic, equitable, and fair principles

“Further, continuing with the practice of considering only female candidates eligible for admission to B.Sc.(H) Nursing course is manifestly arbitrary and does not meet the standard of reasonable nexus to object sought to be achieved and reasonable classification based on intelligible differentia imposed by Article 14,” the plea reads.

"It highlights that the classification exclusively favoring female candidates for the specific B.Sc. (Hons.) Nursing course lacks consideration for contemporary realities. This rule fails to acknowledge the critical shortage of nursing professionals in the country. Therefore, denying male candidates admission to the B.Sc. (Hons.) Nursing course goes against the broader public interest."

The petition has been filed through Advocates Robin Raju and Aanchal Bumb.

Title: Indian Professional Nurses Association (IPNA) v. Union of India & Ors.