India’s B.Sc (nursing programme) has undergone its first major overhaul after 1947, making it a competency-based nursing curriculum. To be implemented from January 2022, the revised curriculum has been standardised, updated and aimed at bringing in uniformity in nursing education across India.
Medical ethics has been introduced for the first time. Also, forensic nursing and nursing informatics have been introduced in the syllabus. The new system now adopts a credit-based, semester pattern with more emphasis on acquiring competency in each area of study. The word 'dignity' is a welcome addition and the introduction of ethics is also an enhanced addition.
The revised curriculum does not include disability rights as well as disability competencies. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act mandates inclusion of disability rights in the higher education. It still includes the pejorative expressions ‘handicapped’, ‘mentally challenged’ and physically challenged. Curriculum also excludes gender expression and identity components which Transgender Persons Act mandates be included.
The Indian Nursing Council has revised, and developed the syllabus under Section 16 of the Indian Nursing Council Act, to ensure uniform standard of nursing education in the country. The revised rules also state that no institution or university will modify for a the syllabi prescribed by the Council course or program. However they can add units or subjects if required.